Never in a million and one years did I EVER see this coming!
That I (me) would be featured on Emily Henderson’s blog! Please pinch me. Wait. Don’t. I don’t want to wake if this is a dream. Because it was my dream come true when Arlyn’s name first appeared in my inbox.
The day I saw Arlyn’s name drop into my email inbox and I saw the message come across my phone I literally held my breath. Was this a spam email, did she mean to send this to me, what did she want, was this a group email, did I sign up for something? All of these thoughts were running through my head instantly. I went through a whirlwind of emotions in what felt like hours but in all reality were probably minutes or even seconds. I told my husband (who was sitting next to me) I said do you EVEN know how BIG this is!?! His reply? (blank stare on his face) So…what did she say? “I don’t know!” I quickly replied I haven’t opened it yet! To which he said, well, open it. I quickly, maybe even violently responded with a sharp NO! He looks dazed, even confused. I lowered my voice and I said, I’m scared….
Scared of what?
You guys. Have you ever wished so hard for something and when it begins to happen you pull back because no way, this could be happening to you? It’s too good to be true. That’s what I was feeling. I instantly felt not good enough. That may have been one of the only moments outside of high school where I thought that to myself and meant it. I turned to my husband and I said, “you don’t get it, I’m not good enough.” Let me preface this all with my husband is one of the most supportive people on this planet. Seriously. He’s also the type where if I have a brainiac idea or a flood of thoughts and emotions and ideas spewing out of my mouth he’ll respond with “ok” “do it”. Not in the sense that he doesn’t care, but out of if that’s what you want to do and believe in, go for it! He’s my biggest cheerleader.
So I did. I opened that email from Arlyn titled “Hello From Emily Henderson Design” in the email header.
Inside was the request to collaborate on a home tour together, MY home tour. I was in amazement, ecstatic, and disbelief all at the same time. I think I actually re-read it a couple of times VERY slowly to make sure I was reading correctly and it wasn’t a contest or an email intended for someone else. I immediately said YES! (in my mind) but I didn’t reply. I waited. Kind of like that first time you start dating someone but you want to come off cool as a cucumber and not completely embarrass yourself even though deep down inside I wanted to reply to her email the second I read it like as fast as you hit the buzzer on Family Feud? So, my inner grown-ish self said all major decisions should be slept on. So I did. The next day I responded with HELL EFF YEAH! Let’s DO THIS! but then I deleted it and composed myself and typed out something much more appropriate.
The next couple of months I was busy pulling the house together (not anything that wasn’t already in the plan prior to the email) but wrapping up the projects I had already in motion so that we would be ready for a photo shoot. I actually maintained complete control during this phase, I wasn’t a maniac running around “sprucing up” our home, I think I was actually the complete opposite. Something washed over me and said, girlfriend, you got this. Breathe.
…And here’s the result, you can read HERE for yourself.
I hope you enjoy as much as I did!
PS – I ran around like a maniac the day before the post went live and I don’t think I slept that night.
Lea
