I'm One!

Today is my 1st Blogiversary! Isn't this cake to die for? I really wish I could have a slice today! Check out the other fabulous cakes by Butterfly Sweets here. If I lived closer, I would definitely order one of these!

Dear Blogworld Friends,

It has been quite a year for me and I thank y'all for coming along for the ride. I started this blog as an outlet during my wedding planning one year ago today. I remember the day I told my husband I wanted to start a blog. He thought I was CRAZY! I had been reading Preppy Cafe and The Preppy Wedding for a long time and I wanted to join in on the fun. After convincing my husband that some crazies wouldn't show up at our door, he helped me establish some ground rules. First he made me promise him I would not use clear pictures of ourselves, use my real name (or his) and the hardest part...not tell anyone. We agreed I would only tell my friend S, my brother and my sister about my blog so I would not have to worry about editing my thoughts. I liked the idea of having an online journal of sorts with all of these nice people writing me back. Well, our little rules lasted a good while until my sweet brother drank a bit too much and told one of my best friends (and her family) at my rehearsal dinner about my fabulous blog. Somehow or another all of my bridesmaids proceeded to find out. =) But I'm glad they are in the know now as I really don't mind. However, I still haven't told all of my friends because I like the idea of keeping this somewhat private. As one bridesmaid who recently confessed to being a daily reader said, "I like reading the unedited versions of your life," and you know what...I like writing the unedited version and I plan to continue that! I don't have anything to hide, but if EVERYONE you know is reading then inevitably you have to edit your thoughts.

So back to the recap of my year in blogging. There have been a few rough patches in my life during past year that I've decided to share. Your comments when my husband was held up at gunpoint the day I sent out my wedding invitations truly helped me get through that day. I'll also never forget this past summer when we lost our apartment and the first thing I did was come to the computer and write a post. Immediately the comments came in and they made me feel better. Recently, after a really bad week of being homesick (and witnessing a shooting during my first few weeks in the city) I confided in y'all and as I read your comments I sat on my sofa with tears running down my cheeks. Your comments and encouragement were so heartfelt and genuine. I felt so alone in this big city after my move, yet you were there with me through the whole trip helping me keep my chin up and suggesting ways to make the best of the situation.

Even though I haven't met you, each of you have been a wonderful friend to me and I thank you for that. I've asked you about which dress to wear, which shoes my bridesmaids should wear, what chair to get, and even which wedding cake to pick. You email me links to things you think I'll like, you share your cute stores with me and I especially love it when you email me how much you liked my wedding! Ha, Ha! We have had a good time together this past year. I think many of you have enjoyed my wedding tips and others have enjoyed some of my preppy finds and newfound NYC knowledge. I especially love your nice comments about my child (aka Daisy). Every Momma LOVES to hear how beautiful her baby is! =)

Blogworld has brought so many good things and people into my life. I'll never forget those first comments and the first time someone tagged me! All the $$ I've spent buying stationary and preppy gifts also gave me some good Karma! I made my dream birthday list this past August and I wake up the next morning on my birthday and there is this email from Mollie at The Paper Cafe telling me that my birthday wish for a Three Designing Women Address stamper is going to come true! Mollie, you have been so supportive of me this year and I have loved working with you on our various projects. I can't speak highly enough of The Paper Cafe! In fact, I just ordered these (they are designed by Marie at The Paper Menu -another new blogging friend) for one of my best friend's baby showers. Other examples...Imagine my surprise when I talked about my love for Whitney English stationary in a few posts and Whitney herself emails me to say thanks and sends me a little treat. And then there is Kristin from I Do Originals. She actually designed my wedding logo thanks to a tip from a reader! This is one talented girl and as my brother said it was the most well branded wedding he has ever seen. =) Mrs P from Chic actually picked out my engagement party outfit! I miss your posts Mrs. P! As you know, I LOVE stationary and the fact that the owner of Cross My Heart also sent me an email to say thanks is just unbelieveable! Oh, and I can't forget most recently the cute mousepad I featured from The Palm Gifts. Well, it actually showed at my doorstep the other day with my new initials! On Monday, I'm meeting a fellow blogger for the first time-Mrs. Preppy Wedding herself and I are going for Mexican! As you can see, my life has been enhanced because of my blogging experiences this past year.

That said, there have also been hurtful comments (I usually just delete them, but sometimes they really do upset me) and this week I received insensitive emails from someone/something that found my blog and demanded my identity and censorship on something I discussed. I like to think my blog is a happy place and as much as I want to share it with the world, it is time to take our little community private so I can say whatever I damn well please. =) Thank you ALL for the emails I have received the past few days and all the comments. I'm humbled and overwhelmed that there are so many of you that want me to continue blogging. Late last night my husband and I sat together and read through all the comments and emails and we were both just amazed. Why in the world do you want to read about little ole me? Seriously? But, I'm really glad you do! I see on the tracker that there are all of these people that read my posts each day, but now I know your names! Our relationship is moving right along...maybe by next year we'll be ready to meet!

Thank you blogworld friends for reading my posts this past year. It is because of your comments and emails that I enjoy sharing my stories with you. Cheers to another year together! Please remember to email me at magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan@gmail.com if you want to be added to the list. You should recevie an invitation sometime this weekend for our new start together.


Sincerely,


MMM

Oh and ROLL TIDE. What a HAPPY DAY for us!

PS. Sorry for any spelling mistakes...the spelling function on blogger isn't working today!

PPS. If you are a new reader here are a few of my favorite posts from the past year:

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/11/im-thankful.html#links

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/09/tailgating-essentials.html

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/09/our-honeymoon-pictures-part-two-lucerne.html

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/09/our-honeymoon-pictures-part-one-german.html

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/07/hello-from-troutville-va.html

http://magnoliasmarriageandmanhattan.blogspot.com/2007/03/little-ice-for-your-monday.html