This year seems like a long one for some reason...probably because it's a leap year, right?
Before 2020, I don't think I ever uttered the words social distancing, flatten the curve or herd immunity. Now these phrases are part of my everyday speech as if I were some public health expert. We all learned the names of people like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery who made the ultimate sacrifice to remind us that racial injustice and disparity are still endemic in our society. And to top it all off, a contentious election season fanned the flames of identity politics. So, what do we have to show for it all? A LOT.
For those of you lucky enough to be here, you survived. You learned... struggled... adapted. I hope that you found opportunities to broaden your perspective and to emerge wiser and more compassionate for those less fortunate.
As parents and as business owners, Val and I felt especially tested. We had to pivot and adapt to the new reality of living in a pandemic. When schools closed in March, we needed to find a balance home-schooling our two young daughters, protecting the livelihood of our employees and navigating our business through a crisis unlike anything we've ever seen. There was no playbook or precedent that we were able to reference, but our employees and partners stepped up and were right there in the thick of it alongside us every step of the way.
As we grappled with our own challenges, we found ourselves awe-inspired by so many of you on the front lines that keep this country moving forward. And we were humbled by the generosity we saw this holiday season with so many of our customers purchasing the Spread The Love® Gift Set for their friends, clients and loved ones.
My takeaway for this year is that the spirit in all of us is stronger and more resilient than we could have imagined. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and powerful New Year!
Keep Spreading The Love,
Zach
