And so we enter the era of the Modern Belle. Living in the South and knowing the amazing women who live here, I’m constantly in awe. The South is rich with good manners and good breeding but is also full of lively conversation and a lot of fun. I’m also reminded that today’s Southern Belle is not a copy of the Belle of days gone by. Our Belle is a lovely blend of the old traditions handed down through generations, a big helping of beauty and grace, and a generous dash of Today. She is sassy, savvy but not stuffy. So we salute our Modern Belles. Thanks for letting me live among you.