Charlene Burzynski

3 hours ago
7 min read

How does this bridal shop owner and mom of two keep it together? She’s always planning her next vacation.

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

My husband and I met when we were 17 on a school trip to Europe. We have been together 19 years, and we are celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary this summer. Our two girls are hilariously different and so fun in their own ways. Avery is super girly, loves to sing and dance, and Natalie is a crazy mix of everything, and gives no you-know-whats about what anyone thinks. We rescued an English Bulldog named Thor about a month ago, and we love him to pieces.

When did you know you wanted to be a mom?

I was honestly unsure if I wanted kids when I was in my 20s, but after we got married it was like a switch flipped and I couldn’t wait to have kiddos. Evolution worked its magic on my biological clock.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments.

When I picked Avery up from school on her birthday in kindergarten, I was waiting outside with balloons and a bouquet, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile so big. She ran into my arms and squealed with joy. Such a small thing made such a big birthday moment for her.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments.

Pretty much the entire year three for both of my children. It’s like pushing a rock up a hill, and then one day, they just get it, and they are kind, good kids.

What is the most surprising thing you have found wedged between the sofa cushions or behind a car seat? A forgotten-about watermelon in between the second and third row in the car.

We’re all moms so we know that no one is perfect all of the time, or even some of the time. Tell us about your most recent “Mother of the Year” moment. You know, like forgetting to pick the kids up from school.

Well, 50 percent of the time I either forget to bring a water bottle to school, or the snowpants, or whatever. But one specific one is that I signed the girls up for a camp and thought it ended an hour later than it did, so I showed up an hour after it ended.

What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do (skip showers, go to

a drive through coffee in your pjs, etc.)?

Say, “because I said so.” Oh, how naive I was.

In what way are your children like you? How are they different?

I would say that my first is very much like me, a planner and perfectionist, and my second is very much like my husband, so silly and spontaneous.

What are you enjoying the most about parenting right now?

The best thing about parenting at every age is showing them things they’ve never seen or experienced before. Simple things like bugs they’ve never seen, all the way to new places and vacations. It is what refills my parenting cup every day.

No one works harder than mom.

We know that being a mom is a full-time job. How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? What sometimes falls through the cracks?

I know I can’t do everything, but I do try to do a little bit of everything. Laundry is always the last priority, falling between the cracks. Every morning, I swear, I am searching through the sock basket for a match.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home.

I own Bella Brides in downtown Bend. It’s truly the best, and I love my job every day. I never in a million years planned to do anything in the wedding industry, let alone have a bridal shop, but the universe has a way of leading you just where you should go, and I feel so lucky every single day. Shout out to my incredible employees Ashleigh, Jodi, Bridget, Riley and Kaily! I truly do love coming to work every day.

Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of, or a personal passion or talent.

I would say the success of my business is something I am deeply proud of. I came into ownership with zero business experience other than working at one — I actually went to school to be a teacher — so it was a huge leap and learning curve. But, I believed in myself and went for it with all my heart. I made a million mistakes along the way, and learned from each, and feel so proud of what Bella has become.

When was the last time you failed? What did you learn?

I fail every single day, from parenting tactics, to trying to beat the traffic, to trying a dress that doesn’t sell well. Every time, I learn that I can just try something different next time. I am a people pleaser and perfectionist at heart, so I really have to focus on moving forward and not being afraid of failure. And there’s nothing like owning a business to give you exposure therapy to trial and error!

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years?

I’d like to be able to travel all summer with the family.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Where did you grow up, and how did it influence you?

I grew up in the sleepy town of Corvallis. Of course as a kid, I craved a bigger city with lots going on, but looking back, Corvallis was the perfect amount of the fun of a college town and the safety of a small town. Go Beavs!

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you?

A positive outlook on life in general. I have a very distinct memory of my dad asking me every morning “What kind of day is it, Char?” and I would say “It’s an excellent day, Daddy!”

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

We love to travel, so we are constantly doing new things and going to new places. My newest thing was going to a Backstreet Boys concert in Las Vegas, which was incredible.

What is something you will never do again?

Eat yogurt. I cannot stand it.

When did you realize you were no longer a child?

When I got my first job at Kmart.

What is the quality you like most about yourself?

I am motivated and a quick decision maker.

Where do you find peace and quiet?

“Brain dumping” in the backyard: it’s where I get myself a refreshing drink, put on Taylor Swift in my headphones, get comfy and write down every little thing that is nagging my brain, from big important work things to tiny things like getting more orange juice. It makes me feel light as a feather.

If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the

back of your head, etc.), what would it be?

Remembering everyone’s name.

What’s your superpower?

Always finding the one item at the store that doesn’t have a tag. It’s quite comical how often it happens.

Tell us something about you that would surprise people who don’t know you.

I used to drive school bus.

It’s Saturday afternoon and you suddenly find yourself at home alone for a few hours (we know,

it never happens). What do you do?

If it’s a sunny day, I’m out in the back yard gardening. If it’s winter, I’m cozying up in front of the fireplace with a bingeable show and several baskets of laundry.

What keeps you up at night (apart from kids, of course)?

You know, the normal random embarrassing moments from 10+ years ago that no one else in the world has ever thought about again.

What keeps you sane?

Google Calendar

What’s your guilty pleasure? (dark chocolate hidden in the pantry, TJ Maxx, daily latte habit?)

I’m an Amazon addict. It’s like Christmas every week.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I’m always planning my next vacation.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

Travel to an Eastern country and experience a culture 100 percent different than their own.

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most?

Not at all. What surprises me the most is how much of a concerted effort it is not to lose who you are while you are supporting your children. And the mom guilt, it’s soooo real.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom?

This too will end. In two weeks they will be onto another equally annoying thing, but at least it won’t be this annoying thing.

What advice would you give your younger mom self? What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

Not to push the kids to start things until they are ready — from potty training, to kids’ activities. You’ll know when they’re ready, and waiting six months is not going to make them behind the curve.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is.

That no one thing you say or do will make or break your kids. Give yourself a break!

MOMs love local…

We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations. Share your favorite…

…shop to pick up a gift for a friend Faveur Eclectic Unique Boutique

…coffee spot Backporch Coffee Roasters (downtown)

…spot to get a good workout Burn Boot Camp

…hair salon Kaylynn at Anna Salon

…restaurants for a date night Hardy’s Hotwings, Burgers & Ice Cream

…take-out, food truck or quick bite Sopa Mexican at River’s Place

…boutique to find a new shirt Jack + Millie

…shop for home décor item Lone Crow Bungalow

…local park where kids can let off steam Pine Nursery Park

…event in your community Munch & Music

…any other local places you love The Big Play Thing at Cascade Indoor Sports