Good day good people and welcome to the Brittanie Show. It’s good to see you and I’m glad to have you. This is episode one and we have a very special guest today. I have the opportunity to chat with one of the characters from the highly anticipated novelette, Almost Everything is Mine. We’ll be getting to know her and some of her book cast members while we take a closer look into today’s topic: saying no to the one.’Please help me welcome to the show, Kelli Daton.
***audience applaud*** (lol)
Britt: Kelli, thank you for being here with us. You look good girl!
Kelli: Thank you for having me. I went on a smoothie diet to get in this dress ‘cause I wasn’t sure about your camera men and their angles. (laughs)
Britt: Well I’m sure they’ll get it right today. Now, getting into it, your last name is Daton, right?
Kelli: Correct
Britt: But a little birdie told me that your last name was almost changed to Hilliard. What exactly happened with that?
Kelli: Yeah, um. West Hilliard is my fiance. We’ve uh, known each other for a very long time…and so yeah, here I am with this ring. (giggles)
Britt: And it’s beautiful. Is there a wedding date?
Kelli: No. Actually, there’s not at this point. We’re still figuring things out. There have been a lot of complicated moving parts. I felt that it was best that we, you know…just kind of focus on fixing what’s in front of us instead of moving forward.
Britt: That’s interesting. Because it’s also a known fact that you moved out and went back to your hometown Bowden SC.
Kelli: Well I would say that I moved out. I’m home, in Bowden, true, but it’s because I’m handling the business at my mom’s house.
Britt: How does West feel about that?
Kelli: Well, I don’t want this to sound…you know, harsh, but this is not about how West feels. I’m sure he’d prefer I was home, but I have to do this for me. In order for me to be my best for him I need to do what I need to do.
Britt: And no disrespect to your relationship Kelli, I’m just curious. This sounds like a break. And it feels like you needed this before he proposed to you.
Kelli: You could be right.
Britt: Am I? I mean, why say yes to something you weren’t sure about?
Kelli: I love West. Very much…and I wasn’t sure about what I wasn’t sure about, if that makes sense. I don’t feel as though I was wrong to answer yes to his proposal. I’m human and naturally things came about that I needed to be ok with after he proposed and before we get married.
Britt: Our producers asked you about the proposal and you described it as beautiful.
Kelli: Oh, it was.
Britt: In DC, in the springtime during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Do you think the moment made it hard to say no? Do you think it’s ever easy to say no to the love of your life despite what he or she has done?
Kelli: Oh, it’s so possible to say no. In fact, I have told West no before. And yes, that moment was beautiful. Anything that happened before then didn’t matter, you know? I waited for a moment like that forever.
Britt: Who’s Jamel?
Kelli: (smiles to herself) Jamel is a guy from my hometown.
Britt: You’re smiling. Is he just some guy? A friend? Or…
Kelli: just a guy.
Britt: Ok, I guess we’ll have to read the book to find out what just a guy means to you. Now, before you leave, do you have any advice for any newly engaged couples out there who may be experiencing what you are?
Kelli: Um…I’m still figuring it out, so it’s hard to give anyone else advice, but I’ll say this, don’t fake the feeling and when it’s right, don’t fight it either. When you know you know.
Britt: Well there you have it good people. To find out more about Kelli Daton, West and the rest of them make sure you tune in, purchase and read her upcoming story “Almost Everything is Mine” this May and make sure you subscribe to newsletter, and we’re out!