Have you ever seen one of those super cute, trendy boutiques in a fashionable part of town & you were too intimidated to go in? It just oozed “too rich for your blood” or maybe gave the impression it would be filled with snooty falooty types.

I once knew of such an establishment, but I still couldn’t resist the urge to go peruse it, out of my budget or not.

The boutique I speak of was housed in an old farmhouse on the Parkway in the middle of downtown Sevierville. The front porch had gigantic hanging ferns & two welcoming rocking chairs creaking in the breeze. I never seemed to have time to zip in, & plus, I was a little hesitant about the parking situation.

But the week before my wedding, I was at wits end for two of my bridesmaid gifts. I was going to the post office & I had a minute. I maneuvered Patsy around to the gravel lot behind & cautiously stepped in the back door.

“Welcome,” came a confident voice behind the counter.

I smiled at the redhead who spoke.

I’m sure she offered to help me, & before long we were chatting amicably about what brought me in. She helped me pick some pieces of silver jewelry out for my momma, & some earrings for one bridesmaid. But there was this cow picture on the wall that kept calling my name. It seemed strange to find such an object in a store like this, but I’ve come to learn that you will find many unexpected treasures in this little shop…one of them being a lifetime friendship in the proprietor, Lorie Lea Yount.

She sold me the cow picture that day for my old college friend with the instructions to promptly return it if she didn’t love it (She loved it). She carefully packaged my gifts so I wouldn’t have to wrap them, & sent me on my way feeling peaceful & appreciated.

I have gone back countless times in the last five years, to all her locations, & making more friends along the way. Diva night is always a blast, & while you might think the store might be filled with perfect looking catty females looking down their nose at a girl with horse sh!t on her boots,  nothing could be further from the truth. Lorie is a hoot & a holler, & a SUPER TERRIBLE INFLUENCE when it comes to the Lularoe leggings craze. I love her, & if you ever meet her, you will too. “Come as a customer, leave as a friend” is the truest statement in her retail advertising.

Today is her birthday, & I should be treating her to some fattening Mexican while we wear our fabulous leggings (or maybe our matching green tutus?) but hopefully she’ll let me take her out one day this coming week. Happy Birthday sweet friend! I hope you’ve had a great day!