Blogs Archives

The Sarah Diaries: The Boy Who Was Embarrassed

May 8, 2017 Afternoons, Blogs
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A few blogs ago I mentioned that I dated a guy who was embarrassed to be seen with me in public. I’m not even sure what was going through my head at the time. Wait… that’s a lie, I know exactly what was going through my head “This guys hot and he’s interested in ME?! WHHHAAAAATTTTT?!?!?“
When I met him, I was at such a low point in my life. I was questioning everything, including my existence. I’m pretty sure he could sense it, which only added fuel to the fire – or blood to the water for a shark. Externally, I think I came off as being close to normal, but inside I was a hot mess. I spent more time crying during that 6 months than I think I have in the last few years combined.
At first I didn’t think much of it, we both had crazy schedules that never seemed to mesh so trying to plan dates never went smoothly. It was so much easier to plan for at home than working around places being open or closed, movie show times, etc… The few times we did go out, I could tell he felt uncomfortable being seen together. Typically they shifted to the beach or a park after dark, where no one could see us. After a while I started questioning him about it. Was he embarrassed, secretly married or seeing someone else? He always said the right things to halt the questions in my mind. He told me he loved me, and I was so desperate for something to feel like it was going right I went along with it.
Looking back, he had it made! Basically he got everything he could have wanted from me, minus money. That is the one things I will say, he never asked me for a dime. Emotionally, mentally, and physically though, he found a gold mine. A woman who could boost his ego, take care of his needs, and he never had to be seen in public with her.
Everything came to blows the day after my birthday, which he completely forgot about. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t hurt, so I started to call him out on all these things that made me question what I was doing with him. He was notorious for finding excuses as to why we couldn’t walk in to any location together. Those that we did, it needed to be dark inside, nothing bright with good lighting. (Heaven forbid a girl get some good lighting on a date!) Instead it was always dark, and we seemed to be hidden in the corners.  When it came time to leave, it was “You first, I’ll meet you at the car in a couple.” Or “Wait here, count to 10 and then leave.” (What the….?!)
I can laugh about it now, but at the time, I was flooding with emotions. The cherry on top came a few weeks later after we ended it. I was broadcasting live at a local event when a woman came up to me and asked if I knew him. I responded yes, and she looked me up and down with this look on her face of “poor girl” and informed me he had been seeing someone else the entire time we were supposedly “together“. Let me tell you… It’s hard to be upbeat, and professional when all you want to do is cry. I held it together, got home, and sobbed my way through an entire bottle of wine.
Thinking back, it really shouldn’t have surprised me, there were no walks along the bluff holding hands during the day, playing pool or bowling dates, romantic dinners or anything that would have clued anyone in that we were a couple. Honestly, now, I don’t think I can classify it as being in a relationship with him. Just 6 months of trying to tread water and not get pulled under by the rip-current.
I’ve seen him out, seen him at various places with different girlfriends over the years. I won’t lie and say it didn’t hurt, because it did. It’s also made me realize I’m so thankful I didn’t continue to fall deeper in a relationship that wasn’t. Seeing how differently he acts with them versus how he did with me really put an exclamation point on how I view it now.
Everyone deserves someone who’s excited to be with you. Who joyfully wants to be seen sitting, standing, talking, hugging, holding hands, etc… with you. Not someone who treats you like a shameful secret. I only wish I would have realized it before that 6 months happened – or at the very least, shortly after it started.
Cheers!
-Sarah
Sarah@983thecoast.com
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Jonny & Meagan’s Sweet & Condensed Podcast

May 4, 2017 *Mornings
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We are all dealing with it, as the school year winds down…the “end of school slump”. Parents, Teachers, and kids are all dealing with it. We tried to figure out why this is happening. Plus Tess from SJ Today stopped by to plan our weekend! Some great events coming up like the Blossomtime Parade!!!!... [Read Full Story]

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The Sarah Diaries: Squat Challenge – What Was I Thinking?!

May 4, 2017 Afternoons, Blogs
While scrolling through Facebook, there it was. A post from a high school friend about a 30 day squat challenge she was doing again. This was her 3rd time doing it and she was recruiting friends to join her. Ironically enough, I had just pinned a 30 day squat challenge on Pinterest, so I figured, what do I have to lose!
The very next day (because why start that day) I knocked out the 50 squats my challenge called for. Over the last 2 weeks I’ve gradually increase my number to 140 as of yesterday. I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been a struggle, and my legs haven’t been on fire. Oh, the burn!! It’s day 30 that I’m currently terrified of. 250 squats! Steph and I have chatted about the challenge a few times, and each time I tell her how sore I am she laughs. I don’t really blame her though…
Before you ask, yes, I do break them up throughout the day, because 250 squats in one sitting is just not happening! But they’ve gotten easier. Which I guess is the point. Well, that and to give you that JLo/Kardashian rump. Pretty sure it’s going to take a few more months of me doing the squat challenge before I’m anywhere near that caliber.
I decided for entertainment purposes to add up the number of squats that it calls for over the 30 day period and was impressed and yet slightly terrified at the end number: 3,300! In 30 days! If I pull this off, it will rank up there with completing my first 5K!
Prior to starting this challenge, someone asked me if I knew how much I’d lost because they “could see changes.” I’m not very good about actually weighing myself, which is a positive and negative. That night I jumped on the scale to see, and ended up sobbing hysterically on my bed after seeing the number. Nope, not good tears, tears of self hate, anger, and sadness. I weighed in 3 times not believing the number, even changed the batteries thinking that might make a difference, but no matter what I did, it kept telling me I GAINED 10 pounds! I chucked the scale under the bed yelling “You’re staying there until you recognize and correct that number!“, and began wondering why I was killing myself with eating better and going to the gym if I was only going to GAIN.
To make matters worse, my friend that has been doing this journey with me had recently announced she was down 8 pounds and here I was, gaining. UGH!! Let me pause and say I’m super happy for her, but hearing her success and then seeing my “failure” hurt. Bad.
After 2 weeks of squats, I decided to weigh in again. One of the guys at “the other job” told me he thought I was down about 10 pounds, I laughed. Last night right before I climbed in bed, I pulled my scale out again and had a nice long talk with it. (Because, apparently talking to your scale helps it give you a lower number! Ha!) Sure enough, I stepped on and braced myself for no change, or even worse, another LARGER number. Only, he was right. Down 10 pounds! I’ll take it!
I guess the point I’m trying to make is, don’t get caught up on the number on a scale. It would have been so easy for me to just throw in the towel and say “I quit!” Instead, I took a risk, and just kept swimming… or I guess in this case, squatting along.
Now I’m wondering what 30 day challenge I’ll start after this one is done!
-Sarah
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Jonny & Meagan Sweet & Condensed: May 3rd, 2017

May 3, 2017 *Mornings
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Today we talked about our Ask Meagan question that had to do with a mom receiving a letter from her daughter’s school because they were concerned about what was packed in her lunch. Then we starting talking about our favorite school lunch items. We also talked about Lory’s Place Run Walk, Rock. Also we talked about Listen to Your Mother coming to SW Michigan!... [Read Full Story]

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Jonny & Meagan’s Sweet & Condensed Podcast: May 2nd, 2017

May 2, 2017 *Mornings
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There is another show that is getting rebooted and that is Roseanne, but we don’t understand! Didn’t that show get weird and “jump the shark” in the last season, we talked about that show and other shows that got weird. Plus we talked about picking your boogers. A girl and her dog doing awesome things, plus Heather from Be Healthy Berrien stopped by to chat about Workplace Wellness.... [Read Full Story]

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Jonny & Meagan’s Sweet & Condensed Podcast: Apr. 28th, 2017

April 28, 2017 *Mornings
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High School Superlatives, you know the Most Likely to____ that every yearbook does. Well we thought we would go back in time and see what we would change our to and get a more accurate description of what we turned out to be. You should hear what Jonny’s fiance said about him. Plus we talked with David Harker about the weekend weather and also Jenny from Celebration to see what movies will be out this weekend!... [Read Full Story]

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Jonny & Meagan’s Sweet & Condensed Podcast: Apr. 26th, 2017

April 26, 2017 *Mornings
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“It’s not you, it’s me”, the dreaded phrase that is said in a lot of break-ups happened to Kelly, who wrote Meagan an email for “Ask Meagan” today. We also talked about some of those other phrases we hate and don’t understand. Like “that’s how it has always been” or “it is what it is”. We also talked about flying Uber and how the world will end in 2050. Find out why when you listen to the podcast.... [Read Full Story]

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Jonny & Meagan’s Sweet & Condensed Podcast: Apr. 24, 2017

April 24, 2017 *Mornings
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Prom was a memorable moment for most people in High School. Whether it was a hideous dress, or a fun theme, we remember it, or we try to forget it. We talk about our High School proms and also Promposal 2017. We also launched another fun promotion in time for Mother’s Day and that is Super Mom! Learn more about that when you listen to today’s podcast!... [Read Full Story]

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Furry Friends Friday: Shadow

April 21, 2017 *Mornings, Furry Friends
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Thank you so much to Jennifer from Al-Van Humane Society for joining us this morning for Furry Friends Friday! Brought to you by Distinguished Stone Works in Stevensville! Jennifer brought us a cute little puppy named Shadow, learn more about Shadow by watching the video and listening to the podcast!... [Read Full Story]

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Jonny & Meagan’s Sweet & Condensed Podcast: Apr. 20th, 2017

April 20, 2017 *Mornings
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What is more difficult to raise: puppies or babies? Jonny thinks puppies and Meagan thinks babies. We heard arguments from both sides from a number of different callers and you can hear some of the results that we have come up with using graphs and charts. Tess from SJ Today joined us to plan our weekend and speaking of weekends, we talked with Promposal winner Rebecca from Baroda this morning about her big prom weekend!... [Read Full Story]

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Watermark Brewing Company – Meet The Makers, Episode 7

April 19, 2017 *Mornings, Meet the Makers Podcast
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One of the newest breweries in the area is in downtown Stevensville and that his Watermark Brewing Company. Three young guys who met on a sail boat decided to start brewing beer together. Chris, Justin and Dave, are 3 young guys who come from different backgrounds of education, but all have the same passion for making great beer. The awesome brewery has only been around for less than a year but the guys are already thinking of all the fun that they will be having for many years to come! ... [Read Full Story]

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One Year Lost: Remembering Denise Bohn

April 19, 2017 *Mornings
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A year ago today (Wednesday, April 19th), Denise Bohn was tragically taken from us and her family too soon. She was a beloved part of our Mid-West Family Broadcasting team, a generous and loving mother, and a tireless champion for cancer prevention, research and survivors.... [Read Full Story]

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The Sarah Diaries: 365 Days…

April 19, 2017 Afternoons, Blogs
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The internal struggle to post this today has been with me for weeks. Do I, don’t I. What would you do?

365 Days… 525,600 minutes… 31,536,000 seconds, and it still feels like yesterday. It amazes me how 1 year can feel like an eternity, and yet it all seems like it was just yesterday.

I remember every detail of that day, minus driving home. I still can’t wrap my head around how I got from point A to B without getting in an accident. I remember the exact outfit I was wearing, 365 days later, I have yet to wear that combo again. I remember opening Facebook that morning and seeing the initial news story, searching the pictures for clues, and checking your page and the Coast page, in hope it wasn’t you. I remember the call, trying to juggle the work phone and my cell going off. The sound of Zack’s voice, the gut feeling when he said it was important we talk, and his confirmation as I said your name… “Denise?” I can remember through the tears telling him “Zack, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry” over and over. The feeling of not being able to catch my breath, and the feeling of guilt.

I’ve found myself in multiple situations over the last year, some scary and some happy, where I’ve thought of you. The emotions are still mixed. I’m no stranger to sudden and painful loss, but you… this felt different. I can remember when I first met you, after listening to you on the air and then watching you on TV, you walked in the studio one day to promote a Komen fundraiser and I was star struck. I remember being super excited and telling my mom that I met you. Over the years we would see each other and chat at events, and other celebrations/functions. You were always so quick to give me positive constructive feedback on my show, pushing myself and other females in the business that tends to be male focused.

Suddenly, on a random Tuesday, you were gone.

In October, I had the privilege of hosting a luncheon in your honor. It was one of the proudest, and hardest moments of my life. Standing in front of over 200 people trying not to stumble over my words (which I was not fully successful at), cry, or forget anything. I remember you telling me before my first 5K “you got this!” those words, your voice, it played over and over in the back of my head that day.

When I hear people talk about your life, they always talk about your laugh, smile, love, and passion. The drive you had to recover after a car wreck, to beat cancer, to raise funds and awareness so your daughter doesn’t have to face it. Not wanting her to be a statistic to cancer like you had been.

One year ago, you became a statistic again.

“On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.” – National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV.org)

I know this is not how your story was to end, or how you want to be remembered. But it’s an opportunity for us to open up dialog, empower and educate instead of keep it tucked away like a dirty little secret. Always looking for the best story, you wouldn’t want that either.

A few weeks before you left us, there was a large group of us radio folks that gathered at Santaniello’s. Thanks to Facebook, this memory popped up recently and triggered so many emotions inside me. There were laughs, snaps, and of course focaccia… That’s how I’ve remember you for the last 365 days, laughing and joking around before sneaking away during the meeting to snag the last piece of focaccia… unnoticed.

It’s fitting that 365 days later, that same group will be gathered together tonight. I’m sure you’ll be sitting there with us.

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Jonny & Meagan’s Sweet & Condensed Podcast: Apr. 17th, 2017

April 17, 2017 *Mornings
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We have had many jobs in our lifetime and sometimes we don’t last very long at those jobs. There was one job that Meagan never showed up to. Find out why when you listen today’s show. Plus Cornerstone & Kinexus joined us for the Coast Social Network, Stephanie from Lakeland joined us to talk about National Healthcare Decisions Week and we talked to Sarah from Coach’s to find out what is happening tomorrow for Totally You Tuesdays!... [Read Full Story]

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