I just returned from the Platinum Retreat in Arkansas. I spent my 39th birthday there and my grandma was also there to celebrate her 87th birthday. I was born on my grandma's birthday (my dad's mom, Katie) and so it is really special when we can be together on our birthdays. It was my grandparents' first time at the retreat and my grandma said "Wow, it's breathtaking," as we drove up the driveway. I've been there many times and yet I still am in awe of its beauty and its size. It's the coziest large home I've ever been in.

My mom helped select all of the decor. Her and the interior decorator did a great job! It has a picture of my dad, Dick Loehr, Team National founder, in the media room that was painted by Dan Dunn. (you can view the video of it on YouTube). The painting is spectacular! It takes my breath away when I see it. My grandparents loved it! It's a huge painted canvas, yet it fits the retreat perfectly. The size, the colors, the awesome smile on Dick's face are all perfect for the retreat. Someone said the retreat is just big enough to hold all of Dick's charisma, that is so true. Dick had a lot of charisma and somehow you can feel his presence and charisma at the retreat. I think it's because my dad and my mom, MaryLou, planned and dreamed about the retreat for several years. They put their hearts and love in every selection and idea. You can feel their love while you are there.

I also feel that it's a spiritual place because of the remote location on a mountain, the beautiful lake view and the serenity of the property. Plus, it has a cute apartment for the caretakers. We are blessed to have a wonderful couple that live there and take care of the property. They keep it looking beautiful for all the guests.

On this trip, we had a surprise visitor, a dog named Lucky, that we all fell in love with. He is a big dog, part Labrador and part Pitbull and yet he is the sweetest dog. My dad was an animal lover. I know he was smiling down on us as we fed and played with our new friend. He, too, would have been friends with Lucky. Lucky lives down the street at a beautiful home owned by a retired General, who is a nice neighbor. I was grateful he shared Lucky with us on my birthday weekend. He made us all smile as he sat on the deck and waited for us to play.

My mom and dad built the retreat with others in mind. It was never built with them in mind. When we were brainstorming names, people kept thinking of names with Loehr in it. Dick said "it's not about MaryLou and I, it's for our sales field." So, he named it Platinum Retreat. The retreat was designed for our Platinum leaders to bring their teams there. It is available by invitation only. It is designed with entertaining, fellowship and teambuilding in mind.

I was blessed to spend my birthday weekend there. And, I am excited for others to experience the platinum retreat. That is, if you are invited, go! It truly is a wonderful and memorable place.