A Toast to the People Who made me who i am

Happy Parents Day from all of us at Poppy Ski's Pierogi

God bless my parents - I was a handful to deal with, and honestly, I think I still am. But somehow, through all the chaos, the mistakes, and what I lovingly called my "dumbassery," they helped shape me into the woman and business owner I am today.

My parents are my best friends, I can talk to them about anything - whether we're sitting around the fire, sharing a beer and playing cards, or just catching up on life. I know that if I need them, they'll drop everything and be there for me at a moment's notice. That kind of unconditional support is rare, and I don't take it for granted.

It wasn't always this way

Let me be honest - it wasn't always sunshine and card games between us. I was in trouble a lot as a kid, mostly because I had a habit of acting first and thinking later...or sometimes not thinking at all. And like most people can probably relate to, there was definitely a time when I wasn't my parents' biggest fan.

They held me to what felt like impossibly high standards back then. They expected me to think for myself and held me responsible for my actions - imagine that! While my friends were lounging around during summer break, I had chores to do. As soon as school let out, homework came first, no exceptions. Some nights I swear I was in bed before the sun went down, wondering if my parents had confused me with a much younger child.

the athletic years

Growing up, I was constantly on the move. Rec ball, travel ball, school ball - rinse and repeat. My parents expected me to excel not just in sports, but more importantly, in school. Looking back, I realize how much they sacrificed during those years.

They supported me 150% through it all. Every game, every practice, every weekend tournament - they were there. They made sure I had a quick bite to eat between double-headers, gave up their own weekends to travel and watch me play, and somehow managed to juggle work, life and my hectic sports schedule without ever making me feel like a burden.

Through all of this, they instilled something invaluable in me: an athlete's mentality. They taught me the importance of strict routines, showed me that hard work truly pays off, and drummed into my head that giving up was never an option.

the foundation of everything

These lessons - the discipline, the work ethic, the resilience - became the building blocks of everything I've achieved, both personally and in business. When I think about what drives Poppy Ski's today, I can trace it back to those early lessons my parents taught me. The attention to detail, the commitment to quality, the refusal to take shortcuts - that all comes from them.

Every pierogi we make, every customer we serve, every late night spent perfecting recipes or managing the business - it's all rooted in the values they instilled in me during those years when I thought they were just being tough on me.

gratitude that's long overdue

I am so incredibly thankful for the parents I have. I genuinely would not be where I am today without their love, their constant support, and perhaps most importantly, their patience in dealing with all my growing pains as I developed into the person I am today.

It's not said to them enough, but Mom and Dad - thank you for everything you've done for me. Thank y for not giving up on me when I was at my most challenging. Thank you for believing in me event when I didn't believe in myself. Thank you for showing me what unconditional love looks like.

I love you both more than words can express.

This Parent's Day, we're reminded that behind every small business owner, every entrepreneur, every person chasing their dreams, there are usually parents who believed in them first. From our Poppy Ski's family to yours - celebrate the people who helped make you who you are.