I’M BAAAACK! I’m back in action after a week off from writing due to the Thanksgiving holiday, after which I need a vacation… after cooking for 4 days straight, 17 loads of dishes, family staying at the house, nights staying up until 1 AM playing scrabble, and Black Friday shopping outings.
Shola Branch, the stunning wife of New England Patriots WR Deion Branch has been one of my clients since 2003 when I made her very first jersey…her SUPER BOWL MVP jersey after the Patriots won the 2004 Super Bowl in Jacksonville, FL and Deion earned the MVP award.
Shola and Deion met at the University of Louisville while they were college athletes. He was a star wide receiver and she was a track star. She jokes that she “threw track,” she didn’t “run track.” She was a stand out in the shot put, hammer and the discus that earned Athlete of the Year titles, Conference USA, AND she was awarded The Athlete of the Decade award once she graduated! That’s incredible…and she doesn’t look like a lumber jack either!
Deion proposed, on bended knee with D’ahni by his side, to Shola when they were in New England while in their first stint with the Patriots back in 2005, although they have been together for 11 years. In those 11 years Shola has steadfastly given him a pre-game care package containing baked goods, gifts or candy and a hand written letter before every single game! Now that’s what I call LOVE and DEDICATION!
Every year we outfit her and her two little divas, D’ahni (6) and Nylah (3), to support him. Shola always has some of the most in depth, dramatic and complicated jerseys we make. They usually weigh 10-15 pounds, too! She always out does herself!
Deion only gets to see her creations after the games when she is wearing them. He sometimes gives her a hard time, but he is always pleased with the outcome and loves to see his ladies supporting him at his games.
We are in the midst of our busiest holiday season EVER here at Bella and I’m so grateful. Holiday outfits, the ever-present jerseys, Ugg boots and holiday gifts galore keep us very busy, but Shola, my longtime fashionistas, has been keeping me busy for 7 years straight!
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