Like many of you, Boston has been my home for my entire life. I remember going into the city with my family as a kid to watch the Boston Marathon and cheer on the runners.
Like many of you, I was at the Boston Marathon this year with a close friend, her husband, her 2 year old son and 4 month old baby and my 2 year old son, Jalen.
Like many of you, I will never forget every detail of
Monday April 15, 2013…
For the past few years I hadn’t been able to go to the race as I was working at a financial advising firm during the day and we had to work on Patriots Day. This year, a close friend and I made a last minute decision to go into town with the kids and watch the race.
We arrived in Boston at around 10:30am. We parked in Brookline in Coolidge Corner. From there we walked to the park near Zaftigs, let the kids play for a bit then headed to Upper Crust pizza for lunch. After lunch we walked down to Beacon Street (the 24 mile mark) to cheer on the runners. There was a man and a woman where we were standing. They were so kind to let our little boys through the crowd so they could stand right up front.
I relive that moment every time I think about Monday April 15th.
The fact that our boys were not even a foot away from us, smiling, clapping, and jumping up and down waving at the runners. The fact that just 2 miles away terrible things were about to happen. The fact that I considered when the boys were getting antsy and my friend was going to go home, that I was going to take a walk closer to the finish line so I could get some steps in.
The list of ‘what ifs’ is endless.
Thankfully I didn’t walk down to the finish line and we headed home to beat the traffic since I was supposed to teach at 5:30pm. While driving home I began receiving tons of text messages asking if we were okay. I was so confused.
After learning what had taken place I was literally in a state of shock. We were *just* there, having a wonderful day. My friend and I had just finished saying how much fun we had and how glad we were that we decided to take the kids to the marathon.
Like you, I have many pictures from that day.
They hold such a different meaning now.
Since then I have been working hard with the girls on my team to put together an event to raise money for The One Fund. It was never an option not to do something to give back to this great city and its people.
Today was such an amazing day. We held a total of 10 classes between each studio with each class participant paying $15 per class. Additionally many clients who could not come to class donated $15, $30, $45, and $60!
I cannot even thank you all enough for the outpouring support and generosity for our event today. You raised $3,300 with your donations. barre n9ne®matched $3,000 totaling $6,300 which we are sending to The One Fund.
Additionally, many of our clients donated prizes for our raffles.
We are so grateful for your donations.
We are so grateful for your donations.
At 10:45am clients, their children, friends and family members gathered at each studio to walk/run around town. With my son Jalen, my other half- AJ and our amazing clients walking by my side these steps symbolized so much: unity, generosity, love, support, community, kindness, strength and determination.
Thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for honoring those affected by the events of April 15th and for making this event a huge success We couldn’t have done it without you and we are forever grateful to have you as part of our barre n9ne® family.
Thank you for helping us give back.
~Tanya
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