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Kelly in the City is two. In some ways, it’s hard to believe that so much time has passed. Was it really two years ago that I told Mitch I wanted to start a blog? I remember it so clearly.
It was February, and things were pretty dismal. The weather, our jobs, the city–it was all so “blah.” To fight the winter blues, we drove down to the Jersey Shore one Friday afternoon after work. It was freezing there as well, but Ocean City had always been such a happy place for us. It was where we’d spent countless happy summers together, where Mitch had popped the question, and where we’d been married. Just being in the Shore house was enough to brighten our spirits.
Upon arriving, we turned on the heat, broke out the wine, and sat around in our puffer coats waiting for the place to warm up. (#classy) Two glasses of Chardonnay later, I turned to Mitch and told him I wanted to start a style blog.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I know it’s stupid, but I kind of want to do it.”
“I don’t think it’s stupid!” he responded.
“You don’t?”
“No!”
“Do you know what a style blog is?”
“No!”
And then we laughed, and I explained, and he was so supportive. That night, we came up with the name (actually, he came up with the name), bought the domain, and claimed the social media handles. (With the exception of Twitter. You win some, you lose some, haha.) The following day, Shawn, Mitch’s best friend, loaded WordPress and installed a theme for me. And that was that.
I could certainly babble on and on right now about how I had no idea what the heck I was doing back then–I think this early post is proof enough–or how I’m still learning and still developing a “vision” for my blog. Or how embarrassed I was about even having a blog in the beginning. But let’s get to my main point.
Huzzah! Finally.
This blog wouldn’t exist without all the people who have helped me along the way. There is, of course, Mitch… who takes photo after photo, comes up with ideas, creates content, motivates and inspires me, is more than understanding about “blog obligations,” and helps me with my workload when I’ve taken on too much. He truly plays a role in every post in some capacity, and I would have given this whole thing up a long time ago had it not been for him.
But then there’s Shawn, who coaches me through countless Wordpress-related problems, and fixes so many of my “Oh my god; I broke my site” mistakes. There are my friends and family, who spread the word; take over for Mitch in the photography department when he’s not there; email, text and call about what they recently read on the blog; accept and store packages; allow me to publish their pictures and tell stories that include them; and go to events with me when I’m too nervous to attend them on my own. There are other bloggers, who offer up invaluable guidance, knowledge, support, inspiration, kindness and friendship. There are web designers, photographers and stylists, who encourage me learn new skills and tricks, and help me put my best foot forward. There are brand and public relations employees, who help me create original features. And then there are you guys, who shoot me little–or long–messages, whether to cheer me up, offer words of encouragement and advice, ask questions, send along post ideas, or simply say hi.
Sometimes I think this blog should be called “Kelly in the City and a Zillion Other People Behind the Scenes.” :)
So thank you, to everyone who has contributed, whether in small ways, medium ways, or big ways. Because it’s all made a difference, and this little site, as silly as it might be, is an important part of my life. It’s not the most important part of my life, but it’s a huge positive. From it, I’ve made lifelong friends, connected with amazing people from around the globe, and had some out-of-this-world, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It’s also fostered personal growth, encouraged me to be self-reflective, helped me to remember and appreciate the good times, and reminded me of what’s important in life.
Do we feel the love yet? Fitting that I should start off my first two years of blogging with two glasses of Chardonnay, and end them with just that, haha. ;)
Thank you.
On to three! (Years of blogging; not glasses of wine. Promise, Mom.)
