A year ago, the Husband and I were apartment hunting in Charlotte. We thought we had an appointment to see a place but were pretty confused when we knocked on the door and the tenant – not the landlord – answered. We had screwed up the appointment time! Lynn offered to show us around the place anyway.
What began as a mistake ended up being a rather serendipitous meeting. I mentioned Operation Beautiful, and Lynn told me that her sister had just committed suicide after a long battle with bulimia. We ended up hanging out and drinking wine, discussing her sister’s past and how Lynn could help others in a similar position. And, of course, we rented the house.
Tonight, Lynn’s dreams became a reality with the Sip and Savour Art Gallery Crawl for the National Eating Disorders Association and Melissa’s Voice.
The crawl went through eight local businesses and ended at my favorite coffee shop, FABO, where I was on hand to sell and sign copies of the Operation Beautiful book.
Nicole told me to make my ‘author face.’ Apparently my author face looks like the duck face…
Telling people about the Operation Beautiful movement and selling the book was so fun.
And the event was a smashing success – FABO was PACKED with supporters of NEDA and Melissa’s Voice. A very powerful evening, indeed.
Not sure of the final number, but thousands were raised for the foundation by supportive Charlotte residents. I’m so proud of Lynn… she turned something so horrible and crushing into something positive and uplifting. That, my friends, takes serious heart. And dedication to the cause.
I dog tired by the time I left. Happy, but beat.
For dinner, I had a refried bean and zucchini enchilada, prepared per these general directions. Other snacks included a sunflower butter sandwich and a big bowl of cereal <— after the triathlon, I was craving carbs!
The zucchini were special – BABY zucchini! So much crispier and fresh than the big boys.
Have you ever seen a cuter vegetable? Me neither!
Time for bed – I’ve got another tri in the morning!







Twitter
Operation Beautiful
Pinterest
Facebook
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Eating baby zucchini? How very Modest Proposal.
You’re crazybusy- sounds like all fun, though. Good luck tomorrow!
What a wonderful way to turn a horrible situation into something positive!
I agree!
Eating baby zucchini? How very Modest Proposal.
What a crazybusy weekend you’re having! Sounds like a great cause, good for her and good for you. Good luck tomorrow!
Did I mention this is my daughter?
Awwwwwwwwwa!!!!
What a great event to be part of!*
What an incredible meeting! I do think we meet people in life that was just meant to be. I’m so glad that she could do something to put a positive spin on such a horrible situation.
I love baby zucchini!! So cute and the most flavorful. The texture rocks. YUM!
I’ve never seen a zucchini that small. Incredibly cute!
That’s awesome!
Do you have a sock in your hair in those pictures? Every time I see you with a bun, I wonder if there’s a sock in there!
hahah yes… it is a sock.
What a great event! Glad it was so successful! Good luck with your second tri in one weekend-so impressive!!!
Man, you are QUITE the busy bee this weekend! All sorts of awesome events! Good luck in your next tri tomorrow!
Wow what a great event to be apart of!
What a wonderful way to offer support to Lynn’s vision and to share Operation Beautiful’s mission with others. It takes amazing people like the two of you to inspire change. Glad lots of people came out and that much needed $ was raised. Good luck tomorrow and congrats on nailing your swim today.
What an awesome event! And I love those kinds of meetings! They sometimes bring about the BESt things. You must be exhausted, girrrrl!
That’s heartbreaking. I hope these events can raise awareness.
Another Tri? Why the back to back?
Why not!
Oh sorry – I didn’t mean that the wrong way. I thought maybe it was a special fundraiser or something that’s all.
oh i know! i wish it had been – i need to do another fundraiser race.
Fundraiser or not – it’s quite an accomplishment!! I simply thought the two events were related somehow.
This is so inspiring. I’m so glad to hear that she had the chance to make a difference after her tragedy.
That’s awesome…I love when things that are “serendipitous” happen. I’m so glad that event went well. And, no, I have never seen a cuter vegetable, ha!
What a wonderful event. It is amazing to see how someone can take something so awful and use it for such good. I am especially drawn to events/foundations like this as I struggled with an eating disorder a few years ago, and know firsthand how all consuming it can become. Congrats on a successful event!
You should be so proud of yourself as well for being part of such a moving and inspiring event, that takes a lot of courage and heart. It sounds like an awesome evening (and entire day!). Good luck today with your race, I’m sure you’ll rock it!!!
You certainly had a very busy, very good day. What a fantastic cause to support.
Good luck on your tri! I am going to being walking in the NEDA Walk next Sunday! Operation Beautiful helped me out so much! I do it myself these days!
That’s such a sad coincidence story – but like you say, it’s great to see Lynn trying to help others and raise awareness.
Good luck in the tri!!
Wow, what a tragedy that has kept a memory alive and turned into something positive. I’d like to read more about Lynn.
And I thought my tiny Brussels sprouts that I picked up yesterday were cute…
Those are cute! And now I’m totally craving enchiladas. Sounds so good on this very cold day.
Those baby zucchini are so adorable!
What a great event! Operation Beautiful is doing so many wonderful things and inspiring so many people
Wow, what a nice thing to do! Glad it went so well!
I wish I could have been there to experience and have you sign a book for me! Operation Beautiful has touched so many lives, and it makes a difference in this world. YOU make a difference. Thank you
Talk about a meeting that was meant to be! Wow. You are so inspiring, Caitlin!
Thank you sweetie.
oh my gosh what a great cause. obviously eating disorders hit pretty close to home for me, and i just pray i can help someone see that although recovery sucks, they arent alone and being hungry, miserable and full of negativity is no way to live. thank you for spreading the message and operation beautiful. i hope you know how much i appreciate it.