The name that flashed on the screen of my phone made me smile as I swiped to answer the call.
“OMG! You won!,” my dear friend Danica said as I Iaughed. “Mom Blog of the Year! Can you believe it?”
Honestly, no. Minutes before I was watching the Iris Awards livestream on my phone while sorting lights from darks. My pair of black joggers had dog hair on them that I couldn’t care to pick off and the shirt I was wearing? It may have been worn the day before. Who knows.
I had to laugh when Danica called because everything about the moment was a far cry from the red carpet award dinners that concluded every Mom 2.0 Summit for the past seven years.
Photo courtesy of Orly C
As Mom 2.0 roommates for who knows how many years, Danica and I always have the fun of getting glammed up before the event. Long gowns, heels, makeup, champagne, photos in front of the step and repeat, and the nerves. These traditions from years past were nowhere to be found tonight.
Mom 2 Summit 2018 with Katherine Stone (L) and Danica Kombol (R)
“You didn’t get to make a speech,” Danica said as we reminisced about my previous Iris win. “Would you like to make one now? The nominees for Mom Blog of the Year are…”
Caught off guard, I didn’t know what to say. I told Danica it was ok. Unlike when I won an Iris Award for Philanthropic Work of the Year for my work in Haiti two years ago, I really was speechless. You never think you’re going to be the one who wins when you’re nominated by your peers for a category where your fellow nominees are just as inspiring.
This morning I woke up and wanted to share this win you. You’re the reason why I write and it seems more fitting to share my acceptance speech here. So here’s what I might have said underneath the bright lights on a stage in front of all of you as the awards were being live broadcast.
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