Dear Diary,

Today was an absolute day.

The Cleveland Clinic Farmers Market is officially back open, and we could not be more excited. This outdoor market is filled with incredible food vendors, amazing makers, and so many familiar faces. Every year, it's one of the highlights of our season.

Of course, before my babies and I could even get parked and fully get out of the car, one of my sons was already asking, "Is Mrs. June with Thai Street Food here today?" Because if you know, you know.

Mrs. June makes some of the best Thai food, and her Pad Thai is one of my absolute favorites. As a vegetarian, it's one of those meals that I can fully indulge in, and it never disappoints. So naturally, that was one of our first stops. And of course, while we were there, the boys had to grab their favorite boba drinks from Thai Street Food as well.

My other son had his sights set on the cauliflower tacos from Kind Tapas. And listen... those cauliflower tacos are good, but the fries? The fries with the garlic aioli sauce? My goodness. Absolutely incredible.

And then we had to make our way over to Frozen Lemonade CLE. Their lemonade is so refreshing and has become one of our family's favorite market traditions. Every year, it's one of those stops we look forward to making because they make some of the best lemonade around.

But as wonderful as the food was, what truly blessed me today was seeing so many of my customers.

Y'all showed up.

Customers who have been supporting Diary of Queen Esther for years came out in droves. One of my customers came running across the grass in her good shoes, looking for her Baby Powder Body Butter. She told me, "It's my birthday, and I made sure I came out here to get my Baby Powder."

I laughed so hard, but my heart was full.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my table. Thank you for all of the welcome-backs. Thank you to every person who made it a point to let me know you were happy that Diary of Queen Esther was back at the market this season.

Y'all know how to make a girl feel loved.

One of the sweetest moments of the day came from a customer who traveled all the way from Virginia. Before the market, she had already emailed me to make sure I would be there because she needed to stock up on her Lavender Body Butter.

But she didn't just come to shop.

Several months ago, she purchased one of my custom Women of the Bible Ankara Peplum Jackets. Actually, she purchased two. When she arrived at my booth, I happened to glance up and caught a familiar fabric pattern out of the corner of my eye.

It was one of my jackets.

She was wearing it proudly.

I immediately smiled and said, "Oh my goodness, you're wearing your jacket!"

Not only was she representing Diary of Queen Esther, but she was receiving compliments all day. In fact, someone stopped her and asked where she got it from. After visiting my booth, she brought that person right back to my table because they wanted to know more about it.

She later shared with me that every time she wears that jacket, people stop her to ask where she got it.

As a creator, moments like that mean more than words can express.

By the end of the day, my babies and I were tired. We were worn out. We were ready for a shower and a nap.

But our hearts were full.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us today.

Thank you to all of the employees, visitors, patients, and supporters who continue to show up year after year and make Diary of Queen Esther a part of your lives.

You made today a day to remember.

With gratitude,

Shelena Racquel
Founder & Creator
Diary of Queen Esther