03/09/2024
As this chapter comes to a close for Rick and I, we wanted to take some time and think through all the things that we wanted to make sure you all knew.
We have read all the posts, comments, text messages and DMs that you have sent and your thoughts and feelings are very clear. We have read about how much we did for you, what we taught you and how we affected your life. And trust us, every word is appreciated and we have cried more than once over the last few days. You have all had your say, now it's our turn. As quickly as you have let us know the positives we did for you, we want to make sure you all know how you have affected us.
Neither one of us had a very happy upbringing. I won't go into long drawn out details, but the adults in our life didn't build is up. They tore us down. We both grew up thinking we were meaningless, that we would never do anything. That we would never be anything.
Anyone who is raised this way knows that those voices never go away, but through the support and encouragement over the last five years, you have collectively drowned those voices out.
We started this with the goal of building something special, we wanted to be different from everyone else. We realized over the last few days that we have done that. What we created as a community was immensely special and we will always cherish the memories thar were created. The memories are secondary to only one thing - the relationships.
Through these relationships, we learned what familial love is - what it is to love family, but also to be loved in return - because that's what we created - a family. As a family, we have faced a lot of adversity in the last five years, but there's only one thing we learned that we could count on during the most difficult times - your support, your trust in us and your words of encouragement.
Your encouragement was what kept the doors open after the first break in. We were ready to pack it in then. Your support carried us through the pandemic and will keep us going in our next chapter and your trust is what made things special for everyone.
We do not know where the next chapter will take us, but this last chapter has been one hell of a ride. The chapter was so filled with everything, it should really be its own book. It would be a bestseller in my mind. We do hope, however, that you will join in our next chapter. The roles we all play will be different and I'm sure our relationships will evolve, but we welcome you all to continue to reach out with anything you may need - advice, an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on - we are still the same people, we just don't have a counter separating us anymore.
As we lock the doors for the last time tonight, know that amid our tears of sorrow there is also pride. Pride that we accomplished what we set out to do. While we mourn the loss of the community card shop, we mourn together as it took all of us to make it as special as it was.
You all helped us find ourselves, to learn and grow. We may have taught you about the hobby, but you were teachers to help us learn and grow as people. We are better people because of each and every one of you. You taught what the adults in our life growing up didn't teach us and for that we will be eternally grateful and you will all hold a special place in our hearts and our family.
We think the world of each and every one of you and we will never forget what you have done for us personally. This is not goodbye this is see you later. Remember, we are only a message away.
With love and respect,
The Haines Family
