Victoria, you really actually will be missed sorely by me. This sounds stupid, but please know that I felt an actual drop in my stomach when I read the thread. While things are always in flux and people do and should change and evolve - and I love that about the world - you have been a constant at Eden and it feels like you take a big hunk of this community with you as you leave.
But, I know that's not true specifically BECAUSE of the awesomeness that you did as an administrator/marketin g director. What you did was make more people feel welcome so that they could become strong presences in this community. So that there would be more like yourself to come after you and welcome others in. In two years I've seen newbies become experts who became teachers who became staff and so on infinitely. You were a giant part of this process of turning EF into a place that is kept in motion by and for customers, as well as its staff. The best part about EF is how much overlap there is in that. How many reviewers/customers become staff. And how many strictly staff members actually have their heart in the adult industry - an industry that for a long time has suffered the reputation of being heartless (and not entirely without justification).
And maybe that's one big, HUGE thing you have brought. A face to an anonymous internet world that too often associates shame and fear with sexuality. And color and levity (pink hair!!! and smiles!!!) to an industry that is too often kept shrouded, obscured, dark and humorless. You've helped make the whole business just a little more human, and a little less self-loathing. Edenfantasys' community has helped so many people learn the invaluable lesson; sex doesn't have to be dirty or wrong or bad...unless that's what you're into! To me, you and Gary together have been a poster couple of normality lent to the industry. Proof that you can work at a sex toy distribution company and also be a loving parent and partner, and actually be really silly and funny as well as thoughtful and serious when need be. You brought heart, but you also brought a challenge, y'know? Like "Reconcile THIS pink hair and adorable smiley-ness with your stigmas about the sex industry! Dare ya!" Pretty awesome, when you think about it. Thank you, really. For lending your face and humanity, and for complicating the picture of sexuality in the public consciousness in a positive way. Complicating the simplistic attitudes of embrace sex = embrace awfulness and misery.
So as you're going it feels like there MUST be a huge absence that follows. However, what's beautiful about you leaving is that you are leaving a legacy that has the capacity to sustain itself and the community. And you're giving the people you've helped welcome and nurture the opportunity to continue to do the work you've outlined in the past three years.
I know this sounds really emotional, but I don't think I've ever been well known around these parts (or any parts, really) for being level-headed and impartial. This is from the heart, because while I've never met you, I know you're a real person on the other end of the line. And? I have the distinct impression that person is pretty great, and that she and her family are going to continue to enjoy great things because of her.
