Infant Massage Weekend!

This past weekend was one of the most influential, amazing, terrific weekends of my life! It was the International Association of Infant Massage General Assembly. Basically what that means is people who teach infant massage (also known as parent/baby classes, trainers and anyone else who was interested, gathered together from around the globe (literally!!) to be taught, renew and start friendships, and join together for the purpose of sending the message of positive touch to every baby born! I didn't realize at first what a huge organization this is; There are chapters in 50 countries including Israel, Mexico, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Spain, and many many more.
I arrived at the Omni Hotel in Longmont around 4:30pm. I called my friend Laura to find out where she was. When she called me back she asked me to join her in one of the rooms. When I reached the room, I was greeted by Laura and there was another woman in the room, but she had her back to me. She did not look familiar to me right off the bat, but as I made my way around, I made eye contact with the beautiful woman. Laura said, "I would like you to meet my friend Vimala McClure." I became speechless. I wasn't quite sure how to react. I guess I should explain who Vimala McClure is: She is the infant massage guru!! She is the one who really discovered infant massage, brought it to the USA, published a book, formed the organization, and IS infant massage! I hugged her and I kissed her cheek and I could not stop touching and looking at her. I cannot explain to you what a blessed, treasured moment this was. I sat at her feet as she told a story, I watched her smile, and even eat chocolate icecream. This will definatly go down as one of the top moments of my life!
I wish I could describe to you the weekend! I get pretty speechless trying to write my feelings, my excitment, and my vision for infant massage. I learned so many things that will make me a more valuable teacher, wife, and someday mother. I am a better person because of the people I met and the spirit I felt all weekend. Saturday night was a banquet specifically honoring Vimala and Audrey Downs. (Audrey became instrumental to Vimala in organizing the whole international association). Without the two of them, there would be no association!
This is Laura and my new friend from California, Michael. (who happens to be the only male trainer in a sea of women...what a lucky guy!)
Vimala and Audrey at the banquet in their honor:

So, where do I go from here? I plan on taking the infant massage training in March. From there I have to do a certification process and I can teach parents who to massage their babies. I have a vision of what I want to have happen, but I am still trying to process and sort things out into words. It was life changing for me!