A Valentine's Day Story - Love & Furniture: The Second Time Around

I didn’t imagine when I opened Uniquely Natalie, our quality consignment store, that I would enjoy the interaction with our customers as much as I do. Every week, as our reputation grows, more & more interesting and diverse people enter - and leave as new friends. This past weekend I met a couple, clearly, very much in love. Both, already grandparents, met on the internet, he from California and she from Long Island. And – as true love always finds a way – he left everything behind and came to be with her. When they visited Uniquely Natalie on Saturday, they were looking for a kitchen table.  (Their charming new first home together had nothing but a bed, which is not a bad beginning.) When they left on Saturday night, I offered to visit them Sunday morning to check out their digs before the shop opened. By the end of Sunday, they had “designer consignment” furniture for their entire home and were awaiting delivery Monday morning!

I truly believe that I have always been blessed with a sixth sense and that an invisible decorating fairy sits on my shoulder. This Sunday, as I opened my shop, that fairy and I magically found the perfect carpets, sofas, tables, chairs, lamp, ottoman, and butler’s server.  As I drew up a floor plan and moved the various items into a viewable vignette to make it easier for them to see my vision when they arrived, I thought about the “second time around”.  They had come to my shop looking for “good” things at “good” prices. They wanted to begin their journey in life together with this shopping adventure and were as excited as any young couple first starting out. What a joy for me to see how happy they were with their new possessions - and how excited!

Their history before they met, like the history of all of their pre-owned new possessions, really doesn’t matter. What matters is that the right people and “things” found each other the second time around. It’s so nice to know there is still romance, love, and a little magic in the world. Ah – I love my job. Happy Valentine’s Day!