I loved Pandemic. An Introvert’s + Germaphobe’s dream! Our little family enjoys each other’s company anyway, so we were fine. It took us a long time to get back to ‘pre-Pandemic’ life. We still treated the world as if it was March 17, 2020 all throughout 2021 and 2022. And then in December ’22, my daughter + I were invited out by some new friends. They surprised us with afternoon tea! It had been well before the Pandemic that I’d been to tea last…maybe in 2018!? I was knee-deep in my trauma recovery then, so this once loved pastime was put on the backburner. Oh we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! My light was sparked.

By March 1st, I was announcing the 3rd Leg of this Tour! We started with 8 new Spots to visit + 6 old Spots to revisit, making that just 14 Tea’s we’d finish in a little over a year (going to one each month). WELL (sigh), this Leg turned out to be the fullest + busiest one to date!! With more new Spots popping up, all the squeeze-in’s + last minute additions… I ended up attending THIRTY TEA’S this Tour!!?! (not including the handful of leisure ones with my siblings) I did not anticipate more than doubling our initial intended visits. Whew!

Something new I tried this time was picking only new friends to join me. My family + I had just moved into a new Congregation, and I was eager to get to know my new spiritual family. As shy as I am, I reached for my vulnerability and asked my new girlfriends to join me. I got to know them during intimate tea parties of no more than 4-5 people (I kept them one cargroup size too). Ugh, I loved that part! I made some real ones during this process. Feels good. Of course, the OGs were with me on some spots too!

***SHOUT OUT’S***

Boba-Lover

Vero

Alex

French

Tina

Maverick

Ocean

Soul

Monica

Aliyah

Liani

Alyssa

Marian

Jane

Mrs. Mamoa

Isabel

Cutie Jr.

Cutie

Jenn

Rocio M

Erica B

Lisa

Miranda

Ingrid

Ellen

Emily

Indiana

Tish

Tanya

Jon

Celeste

Elisa

Sal

Stephanie

You know who else was a major part of this Leg!? The Huz. (heart emojis) For all the ones that were last minute, he happily asked to come! I think we have had more Tea Dates than Date Nights in the past year!? It’s been a treat to get away together so many times, some of them for long drives. Thank you Poppi for being so willing + interested in my work. For supporting me, for giving me allowance sometimes (hehe) when donations or boutique sales didn’t cover my tea services. I have enjoyed hearing your critiques of these Spots, too. I’ve taught you well haha!

[Me + my Samoan Love: Mav Ke Kai]

Along with this website, I reopened our Instagram account. I had had years + years worth of content from my old blog posts, so it was easy. But then Reels were where it was at. I was having to now FILM at our tea parties and become some sort of videographer. Finding trending audios to match them. Engaging. Replying to comments. DM’s. It was getting to be a lot… But I still posted everyday. More followers came. Threads. Now, TikTok.

Right before this Leg ended, momentum was at its all-time high! I was interviewed on a podcast. (That was so much fun!) All of a sudden I’m finding myself signing “Influencer Agreements”. Influencer? I’m an Influencer?? In the month of February alone, I had 3 collabs with some of the most reputable places that serve tea including a high-end hotel. I was having conversations with owners and executive chefs. Who was I?! Unbelievable. Indescribable.

Then the shift happened.

I am SO READY for this break. It’s much-needed, timely, and well-deserved. It’s something I’ve been needing for a long time…not just now, but in life. I’m not going to explain every detail here. Just know that I am resolved and I am looking forward to being present. Before, I thought I was still going to post on socials…I had some blog posts planned… But now, I’m not sure. This time off is going to be used to its full. If I post, then I post. If I don’t, then- I don’t! I appreciate all of you who will continue to rock with me on here and on our socials. Those who donate- you mean so much to me. THANK YOU for helping me continue doing what brings me absolute joy!! Yes, there is a 4th Leg planned. Nothing scheduled as of yet. I’m due to be back from break November 15, 2024. I hope you all are still around and still want to know about these new Spots we gotta try! Until then, thank you for reading, following, subscribing. Yall are the best.

~ Olyve Rose

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