For nearly ten years, I have had the distinct pleasure of working with one of my all-time favorite people, Blair Blake. To know Blair is to love her – and to have thick skin. The perfect Gemini, she is equal parts sweet and saucy. A sharp tongue and a sharp wit are paired to perfection with a kind, thoughtful, and caring demeanor. It is with great sadness that we at Red Barn Mercantile say goodbye to our dear friend as she ends her long and illustrious retail career and moves on to the next chapter of her life.Over the last decade we have made many wonderful memories. I’ll never forget our early morning Black Fridays or the image of Blair with a box knife in one hand and another one in her back pocket (she is an expert box breaker-downer!).  And every holiday unveiling, where she would fret about not getting the store turned over in time and then celebrating with her beautiful Blair smile and sweet relief when we do (because we always do).And our trips to market. Like the time we watched the Superbowl in our hotel room with chicken wings and fried cheese while the real watch party was happening right outside in Times Square, or the market where we trekked all over the Flatiron District to find Eataly and the next day got a chance to catch NYC’s Pride parade. Also our team outings like the limo ride to a burlesque show, the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Christmas, the rained out Nats games, the overnight retreat, et al.Then there were the everyday rituals of running the store. Important stuff like deciding what to have for lunch because we both love good food, recounting our weekend adventures, and hearing of Blair’s amazing travels, and getting her good counsel on raising children to be wonderful adults like hers.It has been a true honor to have her be a part of our family and, even more, to be included in hers. From high school and college graduations to weddings and beautiful new babies, she has invited us to be a part of it all and we are humbled. It means a lot to us to have been a witness to such meaningful milestones.Thank you, Blair, for all that you have done to make Red Barn and Penny Post a success – and for keeping me on my toes. Building these businesses without you would not have been possible nor nearly as much fun. We heart you, friend, and wish you well as you move on to your next adventure!