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[caption id="attachment_968" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Michelle-Before"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-Before.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-968" title="Michelle-Before" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-Before-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_969" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Michelle-After"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-After.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-969" title="Michelle-After" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-After-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

This year’s winner of the Mommy Makeover contest was Michelle Morgan, wife of Dan Morgan and mother of eight. Michelle was nominated by Dan’s co-worker at Beaufort County, Suzanne Larson, and was voted by readers as the winner of The Island News’ popular online contest.<!--more-->

I had the pleasure of accompanying Michelle and Dan on Friday, May 20, to get “made-up’” before their big date at Southern Graces that evening.

Michelle and Dan are both selfless parents who put their children first. Michelle, who deservingly won with hundreds of votes online, stays at home with her kids and is an active volunteer at each of their schools, Shanklin Elementary, Robert Smalls Middle and Battery Creek High Schools. Their oldest, Allyson, is a Senior at BCHS. She is Valedictorian of the 2011 Class and will be attending Brigham Young University in the fall, completely on academic scholarship. Their second oldest, Grayson, is currently top in his sophomore class as well. The other six are equally as exceptional. And that just doesn’t happen unless two parents are committed to education like Michelle and Dan.

Michelle admitted that she had never had a manicure, rarely goes out with her husband and can’t remember the last time she went shopping for herself. Well, that all changed Friday afternoon. And Michelle couldn’t have been more humbled and thankful. She is a true gem of a person.

[caption id="attachment_970" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Michelle Morgan with Cindy Turnbull, Patti Stevenson and Judy Kole at Grace and Glory"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-Morgan-with-Cindy-Turnbull-Pati-Stevenson-and-Judy-Kole-at-Grace-and-Glory.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-970" title="Michelle Morgan with Cindy Turnbull, Pati Stevenson and Judy Kole at Grace and Glory" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-Morgan-with-Cindy-Turnbull-Pati-Stevenson-and-Judy-Kole-at-Grace-and-Glory-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

We started at Grace and Glory, where owner Cindy Turnbull helped Michelle select an outfit for her dinner date. Michelle chose a beautiful black shirt and white cardigan from Nomadic Traders, an original necklace made by jewelry designer, Carol Kent, classic and adorable flip-flops made by OKA and a charming summer handbag from Straw Studios. The girls at Grace and Glory were so helpful, and Michelle was beside herself with excitement.

[caption id="attachment_971" align="alignright" width="247" caption="Elizabeth Parker applys color at Salon 10"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Elizabeth-Parker-applys-color-at-Salon-10.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-971" title="Elizabeth Parker applys color at Salon 10" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Elizabeth-Parker-applys-color-at-Salon-10-247x300.jpg" alt="" width="247" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_975" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Lynn Groff styles Michelle&#39;s hair at Salon 10"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lynn-Groff-styles-Michelles-hair-at-Salon-10.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-975" title="Lynn Groff styles Michelle's hair at Salon 10" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lynn-Groff-styles-Michelles-hair-at-Salon-10-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

After lunch, we headed to Salon 10 at Habersham Marketplace where Elizabeth Parker and Lynn Groff discussed cut and color and proceeded to transform Michelle’s locks into a masterpiece of maintenance-free style.

[caption id="attachment_972" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Lydia Ballesteros applying make-up to Michelle"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lydia-Ballesteros-applying-make-up-to-Michelle.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-972" title="Lydia Ballesteros applying make-up to Michelle" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Lydia-Ballesteros-applying-make-up-to-Michelle-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

Finally we went to Aqua Med Spa in Port Royal where Melanie Singleton gave Michelle an amazing French Manicure, Michelle’s first ever! After getting her nails pampered, Michelle was introduced to Lydia Ballesteros, Beaufort’s premier makeup artist. Ballesteros touched up eyes and lips while creating a flawless look to an already beautiful face.

[caption id="attachment_974" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Melanie Singleton gives Michelle a French Manicure at Aqua Med Spa"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Melanie-Singleton-gives-Michelle-a-French-Manicure-at-Aqua-Med-Spa.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-974" title="Melanie Singleton gives Michelle a French Manicure at Aqua Med Spa" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Melanie-Singleton-gives-Michelle-a-French-Manicure-at-Aqua-Med-Spa-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

In addition to all of the pampering Friday, Michelle also received a Loyalty Card to all businesses in Habersham Marketplace, a gift card for membership to EarthFIT, teeth whitening from Palmetto Smiles Dentistry and a Swedish massage from Beaufort Day Spa.

[caption id="attachment_973" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Michelle and her husband, Danny before dinner at Southern Graces Bistro at the Beaufort Inn"]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-and-her-husband-Danny-before-dinner-at-Southern-Graces-Bistro-at-the-Beaufort-Inn.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-973" title="Michelle and her husband, Danny before dinner at Southern Graces Bistro at the Beaufort Inn" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-and-her-husband-Danny-before-dinner-at-Southern-Graces-Bistro-at-the-Beaufort-Inn-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

Michelle and Dan were now ready for their date at Southern Graces Bistro at The Beaufort Inn. They dined by themselves and enjoyed a memorable meal. It was evident these two were still in love. They adored each other, and I was awed by their commitment to one another. These two really made me believe in love, and they surely made me appreciate family.

I congratulate you both for raising a fine group of children and staying in love after so many years. The Island News thanks you for being such an inspiring person and a great mom, Michelle.

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