I hear my name being called from backstage, “Please give a warm welcome to Nicole Ellie.” It is show time, one quick glance in the mirror and I am ready to go. I can hear my brothers yelling Nikki, Nikki!” I know they will enjoy my song choice. It is truly a song for them, “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey, has supplied many enjoyable memories for the three of us. One in particular was at my oldest brother, Jason’s wedding. The three of us jumped on the dance floor and belted out the words along with the band singer. As we danced around, with our fists pumping up to the sky, I couldn’t help but become teary eyed. It was really the last time the three of us, would just be the three of us. In that moment change happened and all I could do was savor the last chorus. It is all the more fitting that the chorus states “hold on to that feeling.” As I walk out onto the stage and the first few beats begin to sound, I see my two big brothers jump to their feet and smile at me. Although we will all be living separate lives, I know that this song will forever hold our childhood. Whenever we want to revisit, all we have to do is press play.
This is my brand, authentic honest and completely in love with my family. It is difficult to brand myself. Part of the difficulty stems from my age. I am only twenty and am just beginning to own who Nicole Ellie is, and who I may become. One constant theme however will be my family. Our love is indescribable, not in a sappy way. They are my strength, and have allowed me to grow into myself. I genuinely like myself, and I know that this confidence is from my family. High expectations, and unlimited support, this is my brand. I have come to realize at an early age that what I choose to do with my life is secondary; what matters is family. I can design all the gowns I want, be editor and chief at Vogue, I can sing on stage, or I can win an Oscar. The best part of all these dreams is not that I have potential to accomplish them, but is that I can pick up my cell phone and share it with my family. Honestly I am not looking to make myself into a ‘wholesome family brand,’ because my family is not perfect. We are divorced, living in many different states, and are gloriously inappropriate, but that’s real. I am real, I am always going to be late, I love breakfast at dinnertime, and I would wear a Chanel Couture dress all day if I could own one. I have courage, or as my grandparents would say “Hoospah.”
It is because of my Grandparents I feel the need to live life to its fullest, and have begun writing a blog. Unconsciously I named it perfectly to fit with my brand. ‘Zayde’s love’ is my attempt to connect with someone I barely got to know. A man who had a horrible, and unfair beginning, but allowed himself to move on and smile. My Grandpa Zayde, survived the Holocaust, along with my grandmother Bobbi. I wish I knew more about my Zayde, but from what I understand he loved living, and everyone loved him apart of life. I don’t know if I am anything like him, but this dedication makes me feel closer. This blog is about what I see, feel and love. Simple, maybe even stupid, but this is who I am. I offer the world my potential and I am dedicated to filling it.
