Jayna Leach – A Dress That Made Memories

BY VAL SCHOGER; PHOTOS BY VAL SCHOGER

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What’s In Your Closet?

Closets hold heirlooms, closets hold secrets, and closets
hold treasures, dreams, and hopes.

We were not after dirty laundry when we asked local residents the question: “What’s in your closet?” The question quickly became a wonderful way to learn more about a person’s life and bits and pieces about their past, the paths they have taken, the lessons they have learned and the plans they had. Have a peek into local personalities’ homes and lives as they open their closets and share anecdotes and stories with us while showing off the items that have emotions attached, items that they will never part with and items that will always be vivid reminders of what once was and still is special. [/box]

Jayna Leach is the Marketing Director of Sterling Resorts, one of the leading vacation rental management companies in the Southeast United States.

A beautiful dress that shows off a vibrant flower motif in cream, bright blue and red has a special place in Jayna’s closet. She vividly remembers buying the dress when her mother came for a weekend visit, about two years ago. They had a wonderful time together. “You know, sometimes you do something and you realize right in that instant that something special is happening. You simply want to freeze the moment. When my mother and I bought this dress, I had such a moment. Two weeks later I found out that I had to have major surgery.”

After the initial shock, Jayna decided to keep her health situation private and only let the family and very close friends know. She also wanted to freeze a moment in time and booked a photo shoot with her two beautiful daughters, Summer and Gracie. “I took this dress and wore it for the photos. At that time, the movie ’Hunger Games’ had just come out. The motto in the movie ‘May the odds always be in your favor’ matched closely how the three of us felt at that time. My daughters and I felt like confidantes when we took the photos.”

Now framed and hanging on the walls of the Leach family’s residence in Panama City Beach, the photos almost look as if sunlight is coming from them, with the bright colors, the airy dresses Jayna and her daughters are wearing, and the fighting spirit that is visible on their faces.

“I will keep this dress forever. It reminds me of the wonderful time that my daughters and I had that day at the photo shoot. We were laughing the entire time. Every time I walk by the pictures, they make me feel good.”

There is more to this dress than just being a piece of clothing or a fashion item, as clothing can oftentimes have an effect on the wearer.

Jayna confirms “I feel special when I wear this dress. I always get compliments on it. There are so many emotional ties to this dress.”

 

[author image=”https://www.panamacityliving.com/media/2013/08/Val.jpg” ]Val studied communications and marketing in Germany and holds a marketing degree. She had a corporate career and has worked for nine years in media, PR and marketing internationally in Germany, England, the Caribbean and the United States. During an extended sailboat cruise n 2003, she traveled to the Gulf Coast and subsequently to Navarre, Florida and was immediately smitten with Northwest Florida. She started her first business in 2004 in Fort Walton Beach and as of July 2013, she became the sole owner and publisher of Panama City Living Magazine. She obtained her Merchant Mariner Credential (Captain’s License) right here in Panama City at SeaSchool and enjoys being on the water when she finds the time. [/author]