Life is crazy. Not just now mid-covid, but always. We work. We play. We engage family and…read morefriends. We turn ourselves off. We shop from bed. We do so very much. I hired Andre and Redymaid Cleaning to help with some of the doing, namely the cleaning. Then, through a custom consult, we determined that folding laundry could be added to the mix.
Side note: folding laundry for me is torture on my psyche and has long been a goal to be more accurate and timely. My therapist told me: if you could remove that barrier to happiness, would you be happy? The answer is no. Happiness is a complicated mistress with plans of her own. Yet, one of her plans for me includes not scheduling a date until my clothes are folded. Only then can she and I see if reservations are available at our favorite metaphysical restaurant. Redymaid heard this and said "yes yes yes, we can clear your path to happiness".
The first time Andre came to my home we discussed safety. We also discussed Aristotle, parenting, schedules with an emphasis on mine, and the overall greatness of being. Not in that order. At some point I had to stop so he could work his magic and I could work my work. I felt comfortable and left. When I returned my counters and shelves were adorned with items I felt were lost: an old lanyard from an event, a designer pen, a post-it I wrote a month ago reminding me to look for that lanyard. He was thorough. I had had other cleaning teams in my place, but only he found the hidden secrets, secret even to me. I took a deep breath of lemon and freshness and went about my day. He and I texted and laughed. I zapped him the money, and immediately set up a new appointment.
I AM happy now. It isn't because of Andre and Redymaid per se. Although it is adjacent. At 46, I'm a single father with a demanding career and live in Elmhurst. I have dated and had sig others, but my child always comes first. I tell you this because I recently met a girl I care for deeply. It has developed fast and natural and is unlike any other "new" feeling I have ever had, even at 46 with dozens of relationships in this zany transient life. Stating it here is my weird declaration to the world, but only because I feel it is contextual to the over-arching story. I also predict that I won't want to come back and erase this from the internet .... that's how deep the feeling has become. Also, I write it here because I know Andre will read this and be, like, "man, that guy with that weird monkey painting in his home that keeps telling me personal shit is nutty."
What does this have to do with Redymaid? Well, you are the second to know. Andre was the first. Soon, she will be the third although I know she already knows. The relationship coincided with Andre entering my home. Coincidence or cause? Why did I feel comfortable talking to him instead of friends and family? Yes, perhaps because of my own strange journey feeling more comfortable talking to acquaintances over equity friendships. But also because his demeanor and work ethic invites openness. That is what led to laundry folding, and yes, potentially my openness to happiness in a way. If not directly, then indirectly like your I-290 lane change effected the entire ecosystem of Chicago in some way, but a way we will never fathom.
Andre and I speak briefly as I pack up for remote work in another remote location, but in those fleeting moments, his positive, open and kind communication parallels his cleaning prowess. He works while I talk. He would certainly just say "hey man" and move on to work or continue working if I was ducking out or busy in another way, but I'm inspired by his entrepreneurship and always want to know how it is progressing. That convo leads to others. Eventually, he will own a cleaning empire as a second business, and his daily biz will be helping people in another way. I can only hope that energy is soaking into my sparkling floors and clean, wonderfully stacked piles of children's socks left for me on my made bed
Hire him. I take full responsibility for this review. No one. I mean, no one is allowed in my place unless it is Andre-certified.
Andre, if you are reading this, thanks again and don't tell anyone where my key is hidden, not that it is hidden, or even nearby, er .....
