letter from the editor
in every issue
NOVEMBER 2015
Extraordinary Life
(the faith, hope and family issue)
Before any of the above unfolds, though, I will have
In honor of SHE MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL EXTRAORDI-
had the most wonderful time in my kitchen. One of the
NARY WOMEN AWARDS EVENT, I’ve called this November’s
pretty vintage aprons with which my sweet boyfriend, Dan,
Faith, Hope and Family issue, “An EXTRAORDINARY LIFE.”
has gifted me will set the tone for the start of the cooking
As we began to see this issue come together, it became
festivities. A quick swipe of lip gloss to set the mood, and
obvious that the title was a great representation of what this
As work began on this month’s She Mag, I was so in the
I am transported from Melia, the owner of She Magazine,
issue is about. As you get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving mode that I could smell the nutmeg in the
to Melia, the happy homemaker… which was my dream of
surrounded by those you love, spend some time reading
pumpkin pie, and my grocery shopping list began to
all dreams as a little girl. E-mails and deadlines are locked
the EXTRAORDINARY content we have compiled in this very
form in my mind. I adore this time of year so much that
away for another day and time. The toughest decisions I
special issue.
my heart begins to beat faster with every thought of be-
will make on that day are whether to use stick or whipped
While getting together with family is something that many
ing in my kitchen – apron on, hair pulled back, pretty
butter or regular versus jumbo macaroni noodles. My
of us look forward to, it’s not such a wonderful thing for
teal Kitchen Aid stand mixer polished and ready to go.
MELIA FLOWERS
founder / editor / publisher
kitchen will sparkle, and all of my trusty gadgets will come
others. Family dynamics can range from wonderful to
For me, cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for those dear
out to play. There will be cheese to grate and onions to
difficult to downright bad. For that reason, we’ve included
to my heart is an act of love. What a wonderful way to
chop (hint, hint, to my handy-in-the-kitchen-boyfriend),
some great advice on how to navigate the holiday. Read
honor God on a day set aside to express our gratitude
pies to bake and cornbread to make (for my claim-to-fame
“She Says, He Says” with Drs. Seth and Brittany Rainwa-
for that which we have been so blessed! “A new com-
dressing). Eventually, Haley will join me to whip up one of
ter for great advice on surviving as a couple. There is also
mand I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,
her famous surprise desserts.
plenty of insight and inspiration shared in the Faith, Hope
so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) And, as the
Folded into all the happiness that is mine to savor on
saying goes, “The way to a man’s heart is through his
Thanksgiving Day will be the bitter-sweet pain of sadness
EXTRAORDINARY things happen when EXTRAORDINARY
stomach.” I’ll take that a step further and say the same
that come from the absence of my DaDa. I don’t know
people give EXTRAORDINARY effort to those they love,
route works equally well for reaching the hearts of the
that anyone will ever enjoy being the recipient of my
the careers they choose and the communities they serve.
rest of us, too. So, every Thanksgiving, I cook up some
Thanksgiving Dinners quite as much as he… or, at least, he
We opened the nominating season for SHE MAGAZINE’S
major love.
pretended to, I should say. Great goodness, how I miss that
ANNUAL EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN AWARDS EVENT in
late spring. In early September, our selection committee
As I think about getting ready for the holiday, I see
precious soul every day, but especially on Thanksgiving.
the precious faces of all those I love so dearly, and
The memories of so many Thanksgiving Dinners will both
(comprised of one woman from each of our five major spon-
I begin to think about the special dish I want to 6