In November my son and assistant director for Visiting Angels, Michael, received a phone call in the office asking if we'd be interested in being the exculsive homecare agency for Ford Employees Recreation Association. Of course I think this may have been in the top five excited calls I've ever received from my son! He then went on to tell me that they wanted a conference call with me later that day or the next.

The next morning we receive the conference call that started out asking if we would be interested in being the exclusive homecare agency for FERA. My first thought was, "Would we be interested? Are you kidding? Of course we're interested!"

Truthfully I had never heard of FERA, even though my dad worked his whole adult life and retired from Ford Motor Co. Whether I had previously heard of FERA or not, being asked to partner with a Ford Motor Co. association was an honor.

As the gentlemen went on to explain what FERA was and ask questions about our agency and services, it was clear there would be no decision made for awhile. They were speaking with several agencies and would likely make a decision in a couple weeks. He told Michael and I that it was his job to find the highest quality agency to be the exclusive and preferred homecare provider for current and retired FERA members and their families.

We had no idea what criteria we were being judged on. We answered the questions and continued the conversation. A few times in the beginning of the interview, we were told no decision would be made yet. As I felt the questions coming to an end, the FERA representative let us know that he really liked what we had to offer and was getting more excited by the minute. He said, "I should finish interviewing agencies, but I have come to decision, and Visiting Angels Ann Arbor is exactly what we're looking for! Would you accept being the exclusive homecare provider for the Ford Employee Recreation Association?"

The next thing we knew we were being faxed the contract and signing an exclusive partnership! I could hardly wait to call my dad. I think no matter how old we get, we want to make our parents proud. I knew this would make my dad proud.

I don't know if I was more excited about the actual partnership, or calling my dad! I couldn't believe we were chosen on the spot, when they hadn't planned to choose for another couple weeks. In all honesty, I felt a bit bad for the rest of the agencies who had scheduled interviews that day, because I know the feeling of excitement and hope when something this important is possible, and I now knew they would be let down.

It's only natural to wonder about the interviews prior to ours, and the cancelled interviews after us. Eldercare has been my work and passion since I was 17 years old; what we do is just a natural extension of who I am, and how I direct the agency. I wonder how that is the same, or different, from other people who own agencies like Visiting Angels? I still wonder what was so special about our agency that the representative made this preliminary decision? Not that it's real important, because we will provide the best care we can to FERA members, and their families just like we do for all our clients.

Care for us doesn't change based on agreements or client differences. We do our best to provide every client —  from the one scraping by to pay for care a couple hours a week, to the one having their services paid for by insurance or Veterans Administration, to the wealthy client who has no trouble paying for full time care, and every client in between —  the best care and services we can.

It is our honor and privilege to be chosen as the exclusive homecare agency for FERA. We welcome the opportunity to assist the members and their families with their homecare needs and believe the FERA representative will be happy he chose Visiting Angels Ann Arbor, because we provide the kind of care we want for our own family.

In conclusion, yes, my dad is very proud. For me that is just the best icing on the cake!

Click here to read the press release.

To reach Angil Tarach-Ritchey with comments or questions email visitingangelswc@comcast.net, or call Visiting Angels at 734-929-9201