What do bridges symbolize? They always lead to somewhere and are pretty much the only means in which to get to that somewhere on land unless your'e a really great long-distance swimmer. For me, it also meant the chance for new opportunities for both my daughter and myself in an entirely different state and town filling in the gap that would serve to disqualify those opportunities and chances. Brooklyn is home to this iconic Brooklyn Bridge pictured in these shots and in 2015, for over a year Brooklyn was home for us, leaving hubby & daddy, brother & son , mom & dad behind in the DMV. It was the chance for the opportunity for my daughter to resume and further expand her dreams, as she once resided in NY living her dreams as a professional model a couple years prior and for me to expand my clientele and network as a professional wardrobe stylist. It didn't quite pan out for either of us as we hoped and prayed. While she did sign with a great, reputable commercial agency, she had problems finding a home with a fashion agency as before - either her look was too commercial for most or the former one she was with had issues with that so-say extra inch that was on her hips. Prior to that they had issues that she cut her hair short, smh. I had challenges, as I had already established myself as a stylist in the DMV, so of course that's where I received most of my work, thus I had jobs booked so when things came up in NY for work I had to decline because I was already booked in dear old DC. I never went to NY with the idea of conquering and setting up shop but Hubs and I kinda thought if I was going to be there then why not obtain work in that market. You might ask, well why did you go there, if not to conquer? Well I went to NY to reside because my husband requested that I go to help look after my daughter and was adamant even to the point of tears saying, "He didn't want her living in NY by herself." Additionally, as an fashion industry professional I see first hand the good, bad and the ugly of modeling and have worked with many girls that have done well as professional models to hear them say, they wouldn't have made it had not their mom been on the journey with them. So I packed my bags and made the move with her and after all this was my baby, and we are very close. Only I had to commute back and forth between DC and NY. I started blogging a lot more while in Brooklyn (perfect back drop for such) and taking care of wardrobe needs for clients, schlepping stuff through the city back to home base in Brooklyn and really learned to make this city my own! While Symone is a grounded, pretty efficient young lady, there were times she needed me for more than emotional support, so of course I went into full mommy-mode! Apart from living and thriving in the BK, not only was I working when home in DC, but I was also helping my elderly, health-challenged parents. The apartment in Brooklyn was fab - neat, cozy, contemporary and spacious (by both BK or DC standards), but my home in DC was in disarray. This all was draining to say the least and I needed to get some things back in order. In the midst of our time away we lost several loved ones back here at home and my dad got sick in May 2016. He went into the hospital and hasn't yet recovered enough to return home. With all this going on I knew I had to come home. Symone decided she didn't want to stay either, I wanted her to stick it out since it had only been a year, but she wanted to return home to plot her next course of action. She shared with me later, that when leaving in that big moving truck back to DC crossing that Brooklyn Bridge, she cried feeling like she had made a mistake for not staying. I don't know, only God does. But I would had rather her to have at least crossed that bridge taking a chance on herself, than to not cross it all and look back with regret.
My take away, Symone didn't do as good as her first few seasons in NYC and I wasn't able to work as much as I would have liked there, but I felt like the bridge of style, more that of lifestyle, I built and left there was the heart of dedication and commitment to who and what I believed in - the success and stability of my daughter. The priority of family is always my lifestyle in state or out. Although the crazy up and down world of modeling can be so unstable, my daughter could find comfort and security once she walked into her doors at home in NY because we would always be there to love and support her no matter what. In addition to new contacts who are native New Yorkers, I made some great friends who like us, left the comforts of another city they called home, to pursue that bridge that would lead to new opportunities and the realization of their dreams. New York, the place where dreams are made, is special to me and Brooklyn will also have a place in my heart (my 2nd home). Everyone's destination and journey there is not the same, but the important thing is that you stay the course, reroute when you need to and be open and flexible in your travels. I certainly learned a lot about myself! I admit it hurt me that she left and that I had to leave because I felt we left some things unfinished, but I know Brooklyn isn't the only bridge out there for me to cross but there many physical and emotional bridges I must cross as I evolve and become the person that God has called me to be. I'm still becoming and doing so in firm #SybilStreetSTYLe
P.S. I'll let you in on a little secret soon concerning next destinations, stay tuned!!!
