I just had a fantastic “Girls Weekend” with 2 of my cousins in Nashville & as I sit here just reflecting on what a wonderful trip it was, I can’t help but think of the gal who probably gave it the most meaning for all of us. Her name was Armani. And she was beautiful. Body, mind and spirit. 

   My cousins, Rachel, Ali and I all went shopping over the weekend at the Oprey Mills mall in Nashville, TN as it was an overcast day, & we all were in need of a little retail therapy. Rachel had worn a wonderful shirt that said, “Immigrants Make America Great”. As we wandered the mall, we were just browsing & finally we stumbled upon one of my favorite stores, Swarovski. Everything in there is so sparkly and beautiful. The sales girl was no exception and she came up to me & was just casually offering to help me. I asked her about some earrings, and if maybe she knew about a matching necklace for a set of crystals I had but nothing too serious & then she saw Rachel’s shirt. She leaned into me & said, “You are with her, no??” And I replied, “yes, she’s my cousin.” She said, “I like her shirt! Can I tell you something??” So I said, “of course!” And she went on to tell me that she had a 14 month old son, but in two weeks she was going to do the most courageous thing she’d maybe ever done in her life & pack them up & move to New York City to try & start a better life for them. 

     She speaks 3 languages fluently (English, French and Arabic), and feels she isn’t being taken seriously in TN. She’s educated & deserves a job where her education and skills reflect that. She was very beautiful but I could she see she was SMART!! And passionate! She had fire and a drive! She was going to be great. So she said, “I’m just going to do it. Because, yes, I am an immigrant, but I matter, and I’m here!!” I said, “that’s right! You do and you are!!” She reached out & squeezed my hand so tightly. When I was paying for my earrings, I asked her what her name was and told her mine. I said, “You’re going to do great things friend!” And she said, “merci, mon ami!”

   I shared this exchange with Ali & Rachel as soon as we left the store & we all felt so uplifted by her courage. What a strong woman she is and how much she must love her son to want to give him a better life. I kept thinking about her all day & how I will always think of Armani when I wear my crystals & hope that she & her son are thriving & living their dreams out in New York City. It definitely was the strawberry frosting on the champagne cupcake of our weekend. And what a wonderful weekend it was.