PART I: REFLECTING

To this day, the event is still reeling in my head. The more I think about it, the event is truly a metaphor of a pearl. It took years of planning and determination to develop the vision in my head. As more ideas were turned into reality, layers were being built. With time, supporters and sponsors began to jump on board. There were times we’ve hit sand bottom. Manny, my husband, was my oyster throughout the journey. If not for his lending hand, I would never been daring nor strong.

Thanks to you to all for the extra magic touch you’ve added to our weekend of festivities:

OUR TEAM
Barbara Montan ~ Manny Johnson ~ Deanne Bray ~ Jessica Baldi
Allisun Kale ~ Laura Harvey ~ Aline Smith ~ Tate Tullier ~ Sarah Tullier
Bernard Bragg ~ Sean Forbes ~ Fred Beam ~ Carlos Aponte Jr.
Janette Duran ~ Rachel Tan ~ Martha Anger ~ Dani Duran

OUR SUPPORTERS
Susan McFeely ~ Colm McFeely ~ Bucky Johnson ~ Janet Johnson
Sheree Devereaux ~ Kay Anderson ~ Daniel Humphrey ~ Robert Ladines
Ma Ladines ~ Sandra Fontana ~ David Fontana ~ Matthew Anderson
GLAD ~ Michael Michner ~ Amy Michner ~ Robert Arnold ~ Eve Gaston
Daniel Nakaji ~ Melanie Nakaji ~ Sharon Ann Dror and Family

OUR SPONSORS
Purple Communications
Sprint Relay ~ Harvey Video Productions
Town and Country Event Rentals ~ Tate Tullier Photography
DawnSign Press ~ Kramer Financial

As soon the oyster opened up, The Pearls Affair began to unravel. Suddenly, there was a blinding glow to its event as well as each woman who’ve graced the floor. A lawyer, writer, business owner, fashion designer, and advocate. Divers have gone to great depth to collect the pearls from the sea. Each Deaf woman have, too, gone to such depth to discover the passion within themselves. With that fire, they decided to share with the rest of the world.

PART II: THE PEARLS AFFAIR

On the morning of June 4th, my hubby and dad went their ways to pick up the Pearls from the airport. During that time, I decided to treat myself a makeover with a stylist. Tia was wonderful as she calmed down my nerves with all of her beauty secrets. Right after that, Ty was kind enough to drive me back to the site to get working. Before I knew it, our team came in, one after another. The servers, the event rental company, the chef, the speakers, the film maker, and the photographer. Bam, the show was about to begin in a matter of minutes.

The Pearls arrived with great sense of fashion and elegance. Even though I’ve been in contact with them for a year, I was shaking inside. Each hug, each smile, each greeting tamed my nerves one by one. Being with them in the same room left me speechless. My dream, my vision is becoming a REALITY.

As soon everyone sat down for the program…the Pearls were laughing, snapping memories, and swapping stories among each other. To top an already magical affair, Deanne Bray has done it. She was not only doing her job as the Mistress of Ceremony, but as an individual who put every word from a script into life. Watching her, it was a whole new dimension. There are no words to show my gratitude to you, Deanne.

As soon the program ended, three course dinner was served right into their laps. The servers held such a friendly hospitality towards each Pearl. As the sun came down, the lanterns at a distance morphed into a sea of pearls. At last, the Eyes of the Pearls poem performed by Deanne Bray has unfolded in front of our guests. Once again, Deanne and the words of Jessica Baldi blew us out of the water.

As the night was coming to an end, the Pearls squirmed their way inside to the couches to chat way past the event time. Inside of me, a sigh of relief came out. My job is completed. What a rare opportunity to bring outstanding Deaf women under one roof privately.

Thank you to all the Pearls for accepting the award and gracing your presence with us. My only wish was to be able to sit down with each one to get to know you even more. Perhaps next time I should hire an event planner. Wait a minute, doesn’t that defeat the purpose of me being one?

PART III: THE MEET N’ GREET THE PEARLS EVENT

The Meet N’ Greet The Pearls ended with a big bang! The sun was out, everyone was chilling on the lounge, and supporters were grinning from cheek to cheek.

There was this wonderful speech by Diana Herron, rep from Purple Communications, saluting Marcella M. Meyer, Black Pearl Honoree, for her efforts in the 1980′s to establish TRS, which now has evolved into VRS.

To our surprise, many want to continue their support for many years to come.

After everyone left…the room became eerily quiet. To remove that feeling, a gift bag in the corner of my eye was begging to be unwrapped. Here came out a book filled with quotes by Deaf women. As I was turning the pages, I recalled someone saying to me earlier on, “It might feel like its the end…but really, it is just the beginning.”