Sandra Monahan
Pennsylvania
Age 67
How long does it take to realize that sitting behind a corporate desk from 9-5 isn’t the path I wanted to travel into a second and possible retirement career? For me it was approximately 20 years in various employment situations that left me unfulfilled with no possible way to use my creative skills. My goals were strong enough to help me through those days leading up to a rich and fulfilling career as a Master Life-Cycle Celebrant. It was simple conclusion; in all those jobs I hadn’t found my niche.
And so I began to build my services first as a Wedding Planner gaining experience and credibility in the wedding industry. Creating Weddings Without Worries was a challenge because the hours at the end of the work day, and giving up my weekends to coordinate weddings and attend rehearsals, left little quiet time to devote to family and personal life. But I knew I couldn’t give up my dreams. I did the very best I could balancing my life and it was working. It’s easy to say that I am a romantic at heart but also had the strong support of a fabulous husband and family who realized what I was working toward.
Then, it began to happen; telephone inquiries and emails from couples asking if I knew of someone who could marry them? I only knew of one person in my entire region. And then more and more calls flowed in until I realized I wasn’t servicing the wedding area where it was most needed with actual marriage ceremonies. A little internet search took me to Celebrant Foundation & Institute, and there it was! I would love to become a Celebrant. I felt I was a perfect candidate to apply and begin the fabulous online distance training program. Communication, organizational and administrative skills were already in place and I had no problem with public speaking. In fact, I love speaking to audiences and interviewing clients. From the CF&I Fundamentals Course and certificates in Marriage and Couples, Families and Children (Now Healings) to Funerals, I knew I had the solid skills to make celebrancy the love of my life and a very positive way to earn income surrounded by happiness.
All of this training was completed while I continued that 9-5 job and reached the age for early retirement. Through all the hard work my dream came true in 2011 when I became a full-time celebrant with the number of ceremonies on my calendar increasing year by year. My retirement year also included the opportunity to apply for the Master Life-Cycle Celebrant Certificate. This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. One year later I completed the program and received my certificate….and it’s one I show to all my potential clients at interviews. It has to be the absolute “icing on the cake” in a celebrant’s career. It’s hard to imagine not wanting to reach for the pot of gold and pinnacle of success.
Were there bumps in the road along the way? Of course! Anything as good as a celebrant career is worth working for. But the Celebrant Foundation Directors were always there to help. Since my initial graduation in 2005, they are still there providing an ongoing educational opportunity and a shoulder to lean on when needed.
Celebrant’s offer personalized ceremonies that are steeped in rich symbolism and ritual. Ceremonies that represent who the participants are as individual and what their beliefs and needs may be. It takes time and skill to create something this special. CF&I gave me the tools to use and all I had to do was put them in place. Giving community ceremonies that will be remembered for years to come brings me the greatest joy knowing in some small way I have enriched their lives.
Today, I perform approximately 45 ceremonies each year. It’s a busy schedule but one that is filled with a true understanding of how important personalized ceremony is. I serve as Celebrant Foundation Alumni Chapter Facilitator and have been a part of the faculty in the past. Most of the time these days, I don’t ask what CF&I can do for me, but what I can do for them. What better way is there to give back for all the happiness they have given me?
