CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN – THE GRAND OPENING

The day of Lighthouse Counseling Center's grand opening dawned bright and clear, as if the weather itself was celebrating this momentous occasion. Joan woke early, her stomach fluttering with a mixture of excitement and nerves. As she dressed in her carefully chosen outfit - a tailored navy suit that exuded both professionalism and approachability - she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. When Joan arrived at the center, she found Zoe already there, putting the finishing touches on the decorations. The lobby was transformed, with elegant floral arrangements adorning every surface and a large banner welcoming guests to Lighthouse Counseling Center. "You ready for this?" Zoe asked, straightening a vase of sunflowers. Joan nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this." As the clock struck noon, Joan and Zoe opened the doors, welcoming their first guests. The turnout was even better than they had hoped. Friends, family, forme