Holy cow, have we really been blogging for half a decade?! Crazytown.
It feels like just yesterday that we were creating a basic page with a big blue-background so friends and family members could drop in on our first home’s kitchen makeover.
For our fifth blogiversary we wanted to host a parade complete with homeowners marching by waving hammers and paint rollers, but since we couldn’t get that together – and it honestly sounded like someone could lose an eye that way – we decided to go for the next best thing: a week of blogiversary madness and behind the scenes hullabaloo (just like we’ve done for the past few years here, here, and here). And the festivities start right now. So feel free to toss out some chest bumps and fist pumps. It’s about to get blog-a-delic up in here (anybody have a black light?). Here are a few of the things that we have on the agenda for this week:
- a timeline of how we met, fell in love, started blogging, and ended up here (which is actually right in this post – we didn’t waste any time, haha)
- a pretty crazy giveaway with a ton of awesome $500 prizes in honor of The Big 5
- a day in the life post with a bunch of pictures and details about an average day for us
- a math-tastic rundown of our blog stats, growth, and other numerical goodness along with seven bloggy facts that might just blow your mind (no guarantees, but ours are officially blown)
- a no-holds-barred Q&A video full of answers to personal questions that hundreds of you guys submitted via Facebook
- all of our goals for the coming year (and a rundown of how we did on last year’s)
- a big ol’ list of our favorite/least favorite/hardest/most memorable/weirdest/etc posts over the last five years (there have definitely been some doozies)
- a warm and fuzzy getting-to-know-you post about you guys (who you are, where you live, what you love – we can’t wait to hear from you!)
Without further ado, here’s a big ol’ timeline that we made in photoshop that dates all the way back to 2004. Holy buckets, was that really almost ten years ago? A lot of the things on this timeline were defining moments for us, either in our personal lives or the life of YHL. And a bunch of them actually make us all misty eyed. Seriously, no one is more surprised than we are to be where we are today, and we couldn’t have done it without all of you amazing folks who take the time to drop in on us and see what we’re up to. You’ve made this entire blog-tastic journey possible for our family, and sometimes I get that embarrassing lower-lip-quiver when I think about it too long. You guys put the love in YHL.
Time flies when you’re having fun (and meeting, moving, marrying, starting a blog, having a baby, writing a book, and otherwise holding on the for ride). Are you guys somewhere you’d never imagine you’d end up five years ago? We’re so thankful that we started this random little blog, and so very humbled that you guys have become a part of our lives and created this completely unexpected way of life for our family. We love you. Truly. Now somebody get me a tissue.
Psst- Itching to learn more about blogging as a business? So are we. Just kidding. Well, I’m half serious since we’re definitely still learning as we go. But here’s a giant collection of posts about how our blog baby grew, how we make money, how we spend our time, how we get sponsors, and a lot of other behind the scenes blogging stuff (like paying quarterly taxes, becoming an LLC, getting our own health insurance, etc).
Marina says
Wow guys, congratulations!
I’m an avid reader, although I rarely comment.
I wanted you to know that your blog was one of my big inspirations to go to school for interior design after almost a decade of being an engineer. Weren’t you asking if I imagined myself doing what I do now 5 years ago?
Well, certainly not! I quit my job, I’m in school at night and starting my own business during the day. When you mentioned just holding tight for a ride, I could soooo relate.
Keep going, I love love love your blog, and hope to be here for the 10th blogiversary.
Marina
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Marina!
xo
s
Adeline says
Congrats on the five years!
I’ve only discovered your blog this year, but reading your posts has quickly become a daily routine, even though I don’t own a home yet and I can’t go to the same shops as you guys (except Ikea), since I leave oversea (I’m french). But I do collect ideas… and anyway, you’re always fun to read.
I wish you all the best for the next five years!
Krista says
*sigh* another great year of YHL–4 years of reading and it never gets old or stale! As always, looking forward to what’s coming next!
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
Wowza!!!! HAPPY BIG 5 YEARS!
How exciting :)
You are such an inspiration….and I had no idea you all grew that fast. It had to blow your minds that so many people were so interested in your lives right?
Can’t wait for the next 5, yippie!
erica says
great post!
I hope you like to tell people that you met “making a baby… (awkward pause)… commercial” ;)
I can’t believe how long I’ve been following along. It’s been so fun to follow all the changes. My house thanks you for inspiring good updates. My husband only kind of thanks you. haha
YoungHouseLove says
LOL – I do love the pull that one!
-John
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
Wow. You guys have grown so fast. You’re the first DIY blog I stumbled on and still the only one that I read day-in and day-out.
Reading your blog gave me the idea, inspiration, and courage to start our own little blog, Little House. Big Heart. We’re still crazy excited to get 5000 views in a month, and occassionaly wonder if we should just give up blogging. Then we come over here, read about what you guys are doing and decide to keep it up. Thanks for being awesome like that. :)
Can’t wait to see what’s to come in year 5!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, 5000 views is amazing! I remember when we had a friend whose blog got 2,000 views and we were in awe (ours got like 100 at the time). It’s a huge number!
xo
s
Cecelia says
I’ve pre-ordered the book and can’t wait to see it.
Thanks for all the eye-candy pics,your energy, and for sharing your family and your awe-inspiriting sheer talent.
Jessica says
Love the blogiversary posts! Yours is the only blog I’ve followed consistently over the last three years and it just gets better with age :) Congratulations on all your success thus far – in blogland and in life.
Susan says
Two books! Yay! In the last five years we’ve moved five times, two if them across the country. Started three jobs between us, finished one dissertation, given birth to kids 2, 3, and, 4 and bought and begun renovations on our first house. I think most of your blog refers are right at that crazy time of life!
Mel W says
Happy anniversary!
Congratulations on 5 years, and cheers to many many more. All the best to you and your family.
Leah Do says
I met my husband-to-be in 2004 too! So crazy what’s happened through the years… :-)
Cassi says
Happy Blogiversary!
Thanks for letting us take a peek and your home (and life!), y’all just ooze of f-u-n! :)
Bonnie says
Happy Blogiversary! I’ve been with you three to four years. It’s been amazing watching your real and blog family grow. You are an inspiration on many levels. When I started reading I was a wife & mom to two and four years later, I’m a wife, mom, mother-in-law and now a grandma!
Wishing you guys continued success.
Denise says
I have been reading your blog since you were This Young House. The first thing I do when I turn my laptop on is go directly to your blog, grab a cup of coffee and start reading, that’s the best way to start my day.
Congratulations on 5 years, here’s to many more years of blogging and showing people how anyone can become a DIY.
krys72599 says
How did I miss that it was a TWO BOOK DEAL???
YAY! Waiting patiently for the first one (I ordered it the moment you said we could!) and will be IMpatiently waiting for the next one!!
Tracey says
Holy cow that’s A LOT of stuff to happen in such a short period of time. You guys are so blessed and truly special as I don’t know too many people as loving, energetic and creative as you – All that to say, couldn’t have happened to a better family! Congratulations!!!
Steph says
I know it’s weird to say because I have no responsibility for it or anything, but I’m so proud of you guys for how far you’ve come! I’ve been reading since ‘This Young House’, before I even had a space to decorate :)
You guys are hands down my favorite blog, and the one I’ve read the longest! I just love how down to earth you are (still answering questions and responding to comments, when I’m sure it takes up a HUGE chunk of time!) and haven’t let your popularity go to your head. I actually believe you guys when you talk about how happy and thankful you are with where you are now!
Basically this is a drawn out way to say thank you, because if not for you guys I would be living in a dump right now!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Steph! We love you guys. Best readers ever.
xo
s
Pam C says
Geez. Has it been that long? I still remember when I read all the “older” posts to get caught up (pre-Clara, obviously).
Congrats – mucho future success to you!!
Stacey says
What an amazing ride you are on! Congrats to all your success and accomplishments. Looking forward to seeing what other great things come your way in the future.
Danyelle says
Happy Anniversary! Wow makes me look back to how long I have been reading your blog! I first became a fan of This Young House after seeing it in a magazine. Can’t remember which one but I remember it showing a picture of your keys framed in a shadow box and wishing my husband and I saved are keys from all the places we lived. Thank you so much for your daily inspiration!
Lindsay L. says
i love y’all. the end. and i have a permasmile every time i read your blog! and you two are just amazing – the way you appreciate your readers means so much.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re sweet Lindsay!
xo
s
Jen@The Decor Scene says
Happy Blogiversary!!! WOW 5 years already. I believe I have been following you for the last 4 years and it’s been a great ride. I love that you still have so much great stuff to talk about and I can’t wait for the book to come out. Almost there. ;)
Momcat says
I found your blog sometime right after your wedding. I thought you two were so cute together and had a down-to-earth-i-ness (is that a word??) that I totally related to. THEN I find out you live HERE!! same as me. By then I was hooked.
I love the timeline and it’s great seeing just how far you’ve come. Can’t wait for my (pre-ordered!) book to arrive, and see all the terrific stuff in there. You two have inspired me to love what I have and given me courage to try new things. And I cannot see a ceramic animal without thinking, “Does YHL have one of these?!”
You. Have. Fans!! And I am one of them. Hope to meet you in 3D someday — maybe at the ReStore, or U-Fab, or Shades of Light warehouse (hope to get there next week!).
Keep it real, and keep it comin’! Love ya’ll.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Momcat! I know we’re going to bump into you one of these days. Hopefully when I’m holding a slew of ceramic animals! Hahah.
xo
s
Sara says
Happy Anny-… I mean Blog-iversary! I sure do enjoy you guys! Keep up the great blogging and living!
Heather says
Wow! Time flies. I have read every blog post for at least a year because I totally remember last year’s blogiversary! (There may have been a few wasted days at work where I got lost in the archives too….don’t tell my boss, haha).
The blog just keeps getting better. Love you guys!
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
Congratulations on five years! You guys do such a wonderful job as bloggers and I love many things about yours that you don’t get from other huge blogs. The way that you do it, I’d never know that I am approx 450 in 5 million hits a month for you (checking for two posts some days and coming back to see if you comment back). :)
Thanks for being such an inspiration! Too bad we’re not have a real party for you!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Crystal! You’re so sweet.
xo
s
Sara says
I’m so happy for you guys! Five years blogging and still so awesome! I am so excited about your first book, and even happier to hear there will be a second down the road. In the past five years I met my husband, graduated college together, went back to college, got married to my awesome husband, and adopted our amazing dog. We just celebrated our first wedding anniversary too! Young House Love really pushes me to make our rental feel more like home. Thanks guys, I wish you years more of happy blogging!
Shauna @Satori Design for Living says
Congrats! I just hit the one-year mark and it has been a lot of work, but so much fun at the same time. You are both a real inspiration and I admire that you still take the time to stay connected (even when it’s a starting out blogger asking for your favorite paint colors-lol!) I really appreciate that! Here’s to many more successful years and not knowing where this will take you!
Alyssa says
Cheers to 5 years! And 5+ MORE years, I hope!! I’m so happy that a friend sent me a link to your blog and I’ve been reading every day since. I’m also honored that my son has the exact same birthday as Clara, he was just born a few hours earlier:) Dallas pretty much considers Clara a celebrity and loves watching her videos. I can’t wait to celebrate with you this week. Congratulations and big hugs to you guys!!!
jennie dougherty says
thanks for the timeline! i’ve been a faithful reader ever since my mom sent me your backyard wedding post (which i printed out and oops- just happened to be in my car when my just-started-dating college boyfriend hopped in!) your blog is the first one on my google reader blog roll and i am always sending people your way for house tips! keep it up for lots more decades!
Tiff says
Love Love LOVE your blog. Seriously, so glad I stumbled upon it. It’s one that I visit almost daily and will continue to for a while to come. Great job and congratulations : )
Andrea says
Hey! I just LOVE the timeline. Like, I want to do one. I have a terrible memory for dates and big events, so when I saw your life over the past five years in pictures and dates, my heart sang.
Was it easy? Did you use some sort of special blog software?
Did I mention how much I love it? :) You guys are adorable, btw.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Andrea! We made that image in photoshop! It’s just one big rectangle of white that we dragged pics and type and lines onto.
xo
s
Jenn says
Happy 5 years!!! I just wanted you four (yes Burger and Clara included) to know you have totally changed my life! In that hokey kind of way. I’m so fond of your blog and it has inspired me in so many ways! And the best part is your blog is helping my husband gain confidence in the DIY department which I am eternaly grateful for. Thank you for all of your hard work and keep it up!!!
New Hampshire totally hearts you!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Jenn!
xo
s
christine says
Wow!! I’ve been a loyal reader since 2007 (I think this is my first comment — happy blogiversary!) and it’s incredible to see your success laid out like this. You’ve done such an amazing job of maintaining your voice and style (blog/business style, I mean) over the years that I completely missed how hugely famous you’d become. Whoops :) Glad the world knows a great thing when it comes around. Here’s many more years of success, whatever that ends up looking like for you.
evilbunnie says
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!
I’m so excited about how proprietary I feel about all your success. I had nothin to do with it, and I still feel all puffed up about it, because you guys are family.
All the best wishes for the future, and may all the best things in the world come your way.
Congratulations on all your hard work, courageousness, and creativity. And kindness. Your grandmother’s bathroom revamp made the kindness crystal clear.
Gotta go now, I’m all choked up.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks!!! We have loved hearing from you over the years :)
xo
s
Linda says
Congratulations! Not a follower from the beginning but since the Washington Post article and I’ve enjoyed every post since then. I look forward to Mondays just to see what’s been happening. Keep up the amazing work.
Sarah@SBrandesDesigns says
So much happens in 5 years! In 5 years I graduated from college, got married moved 900 miles to the east coast, got my first big girl job, had to quit my first big girl job to pack up & move to the other coast, started an Etsy shop & am anxiously awaiting news in about 5 months to find out where we are moving next (next summer). 5 years ago I had no idea what direction my life was about to take…
Happy 5th blogiversary!
Tory says
Congrats on 5 years! You blog is awesome! My co-worker and I hit your site up first thing in the morning to check out what’s new. Keep up the great work!
Stephanie says
YAY! I’m glad you are doing a blogiversary week! Blogiversary #4 is right around when I first started following you guys :)
Congrats on the 5 year mark!
Sherry from BC says
Congratulations….your site is a must for a good start on my day. It is well written, interesting and informative. When work is too hectic to get it I always feel I have missed something till I get my YHL fix. I love following your journey as diy adventurers and young parents. I am really looking forward to your book and really do hope you get a tv show. I think you would be great tv. Pat yourselves on your backs, pat the dog and kiss Clara for me. Could there be another white animal in your future as an anniversary gift?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, here’s hoping there are lots of white animals in our future anniversaries!
xo
s
Dina says
Happy Blogiversary!! I’ve been a loyal reader since 2008. YHL is always the first blog I check in the morning. It’s amazing to see how once your readership started to take off, it really grew exponentially! Also, I’ll be 29 for another 1.5 months, so thanks for letting me check the “in my 20s” box… that made me feel better this morning. Sherry, I remember reading at some point that when you moved to VA you worked from home doing independent copywriting. I would love to read someday about how you made the transition from Lowe to working independently in a new city, how you got clients, etc.
YoungHouseLove says
That was just all kind of dumb luck and hard work. I emailed a bunch of folks on sites like creativehotlist.com with my resume and pounded the virtual pavement (online of course) and ended up working with a few clients in NY and LA as well as a few local Richmond folks. It was a ton of fun! I definitely made like no money for a few months (freaking out all the way- thank goodness I had built up back-up money to live on in my savings before making the leap) but after about 6 months things picked up and by a year into it I was coasting along. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Nicki says
Congratulations! I just discovered your site about 6 months ago…THANK GOODNESS!! You have become part of my morning routine. I get to work, I eat my frozen grapes and yogurt while checking my email and your blog! I am in the process of painting my kitchen cabinets, which I never would have had the courage to attempt until I started reading your blog! I have one section completed, and they look amazing! Everyone says they look like new cabinets and like a professional did them! Yay me! Happy Anniversary!
Nicki
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh frozen grapes and yogurt = delicious! You’re so sweet.
xo
s
Amanda K says
congrats on 5 years! i’ve been reading since 2006 and it’s been wonderful to watch how your blogging style and home style have evolved — and to watch your family grow!
thanks for all the great home and decorating info, and for giving me inspiration for my husband’s to-do list ;)
Amanda K says
haha, i just realized i said 2006…when you guys weren’t even blogging yet…
i’m REALLY ahead of the trends.
y’all are kind for not correcting me; i meant 2008…and everything else wasn’t a typo. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah! No worries, we knew what you meant ;)
xo
s
Lindsay @ Me, Ed and Pea says
Looooooooove blogiversary week!!! Congrats guys! Can’t wait to read this week’s posts.
Emily says
Holy Smokers!! Congrats on all the amazingness!! You all (Burger and Clara included) are awesome! I really do look forward to your posts each day. You are so real, and creative, and friendly, and inspiring. And not to sound stalker-y or anything :) but I feel like we are friends… so if you ever move to the West coast you can feel free to look me up. :) but really… I love your blog. And I can’t wait to get your book in the mail!! And big congratulations on everything!!!!!!! Happy Blogiversary!!!
Kathy says
Congrats on 5 years! Yours is one of the few blogs I consistenly read. That picture of baby Burger is so adorable, oh my goodness!
Kathy says
consistently! sowwy
YoungHouseLove says
Hah, I knew what you meant :)
xo
s
Benita says
Grattis!
Kim says
I am getting married this Saturday and so just realized that my wedding anniversay will always coincide with the blogiversary and got pretty excited at that thought! I am weird haha. But looking forward to many blogiversaries -and anniversaries – for decades to come. Congratulations to my favorite blog.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Kim! And happy wedding!
xo
s
Brandi from Bloomington says
Congrats on 5 years. I’m 31, from close to Bloomington, IL and although I’ve lived in my house for ages, I am still new to this whole decorating thing. For my birthday, I asked for a longer coax cable so I could rearrange the furniture. Last weekend, I purchased a half-round table, covered a shoebox with contact paper and found some pieces around the house and it really makes the space better. I think I’m getting the hang of this.
Marlayna says
Hey guys! I’m on a train and trying to read today’s post from my iPhone but the timeline won’t load. Do you guys know anything I can do to help that?! I have been so excited for the blogiversary posts! Seems like a great one by the comments!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, so sorry! It’s a big file, so maybe on a smart phone it’s having issues? Maybe try clearing your cache/cookies/data and reloading the page again? Hope it helps!
xo
s