sweet shakes.

A few shout outs..

1. Sweet local businesses
2. Firm manly handshakes
3. Customer-oriented business skills
4. Yummy desserts

My wonderful and beautiful mother just brought me a cookie ~per my request~ and although Pepperidge Farm "Chesapeake" cookies are great, I automatically recalled my last cookie encounter...except Pepperidge Farm was not involved.

Last week, while in the hospital, my mom and Joseph were craving something other than hospital food...shocker. So, Joseph drove down the street to the local family owned, Uptown Cafe. While there, the owner asked Joseph how his day had been and Joseph expressed his excitement about becoming a new dad. What was the owner's initial response? A handshake. PERFECT. Proof of moments in life where actions speak MUCH louder than words. Then, men from behind the counter came around to also shake Joseph's hand. As if one handshake wasn't amazing enough! Man to man, father to father. What a beautiful thing! Ahh, great man moments. Patriot, Braveheart, or Remember the Titans anyone? Well, the story gets better as the owner gave Joseph a bunch of yummy desserts to go with lunch. 

Then, this past weekend, my dad went to pick up lunch from Uptown Cafe and the owner was there once again. Making conversation with my dad, the owner put 2 and 2 together, and realized Pop was the proud grandfather. So, what awaited Pop? A strong handshake and a box of cookies for dessert.

In our rough economy, local businesses everywhere are struggling to survive. But I have no fear for small home-town businesses like Uptown Cafe who have heart, character, and class. They are business people who prioritize their service with customer care and truly aim to satisfy their customers. All-around, I was considerably impressed and I wasn't even there.

So here's to local businesses, manliness, people skills, and yummy-ness...and thanks to Marabelle now being in my arms, I'll toast with something a little more exciting then my watered-down gatorade. I need something fancy to go with my corn beef and cabbage anyway.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

:: victoria marie