Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Blogiversary 5: It’s On Like Donkey Kong

Holy cow, have we really been blogging for half a decade?! Crazytown.

Five Graphic

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.

Really Old Wordpress Blog Y

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.

Blogiversary Timeline3

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).

Comments

  1. Melissa says

    I love you guys! Thank you for writing this! You’re always with me over breakfast and put a big smile on my face. It’s so much fun to see your success grow and grow!!! xo

    Reply

  2. Theresa A says

    woohoo blogiversary!!!!!!!!! congrats! last week when i was reading i thought it usually happened around this time and was wondering if it was still going on this year…phew! obviously nothing to worry about. i noticed on the timeline it says you guys signed a 2 book deal?! as in, we get another book?!? i can’t even wait for the first one so that would just be the cherry on my sundae. happy five years of blogging, looking forward to many more!

    Reply

  3. Amanda says

    Congratulations! You’ve made such an impact over these last five years — I’ve been reading for the last 3 or so and have spread it to my family and friends. My brother and I always look to you for inspiration on projects. You’ve encouraged us to tackle things we were intimidated by!

    Reply

  4. Berry says

    I got goosebumps while reading your timeline. I am drinking a cold smoothie though so it’s a toss up whether it was the timeline or the smoothie. Anyway, I love reading your blog–my colleagues love to joke about my “friends in Virginia.” Thanks for the great mix of informative, funny, and inspiring. I’m currently writing a room-by-room list of all of the updates I would like to do to my house, all thanks to you guys!

    Reply

  5. Jessica says

    It has been fun watching your blog, home and family evolve. I remember writing about you in R Home when you first got started, leaving your house and thinking, “They are going to be huge.” Enjoy your success!
    Jessica Haddad

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hi Jessica! So nice to hear from you – and thanks for the kind words. We appreciate that kind of confidence in us. Not sure we ever saw this becoming much of anything! :)

      -John

  6. Amy says

    What an achievement!! Happy Blog versiry thingy :) I don’t know much about blogs…other than I always pop over to view yours because it is punchy and fun!! I love your house, but I also love when you go house crashing and post other homeowner redos – and as a working mom with two little ones; I love when you go to stores like Target. It shows me what is hip right now, when I don’t get a chance to get there!! High ‘5’, congrats, boo yeah, you did it, bust out the champagne!!
    Amy from Ohio :)

    Reply

  7. Krister says

    Happy Blogiversary!

    Is it weird that I’m a girl, but I still would love being the next Mike Holmes? That dude can do anything!

    Reply

  8. GreenInOC says

    Love the timeline!

    Somehow I missed that you signed a TWO book deal. Congrats again then (better late than never)!!

    YHL is my first stop in blogland every weekday morning (confession: sometimes I check on weekends too, just in case!!), and I so enjoy what you guys do and the tone of your blog. Keep it up!!!

    Reply

  9. Ann L. says

    CONGRATULATIONS! Your blog is a permanent selection on my bookmarks bar. I look forward to what awesome project you’re up to next!

    Reply

  10. jen says

    HAPPY 5 YEARS GUYS!!

    P.S. I love a good ol secret office romance. My husband and I met at work and kept things secret for a good while,
    (I was actually his boss) Its fun to date in secret from some people for a while, its like you have two work lives :)

    Reply

  11. Kim W Rily says

    I still remember playing with John after Sunday School at church and how I’m pretty sure my older brother had a crush on one of your older sisters at one point. I love reading your blog (though I read several of your articles years back about your wedding and stuff before I realized it was the Petersik fam.) Then my mom told me, “Did you know John and his wife make a living off a blog?” I started reading and I’m hooked! You guys have an awesome blog and make it look so easy. I, like many others here, just check in every day. Looking forward to your video with reader questions and can’t believe you get 5,000,000 views a month! So cool!

    Part of me says, “I wanna do that!” The other part of me thinks I could never keep my house as in order as you do! (Maybe my blog should be about how MESSY my house is!)

    Looking forward to your next posts. You are just so fun and creative and hard working and blessed!

    Reply

  12. Jennifer Eastman says

    Congratulations not only on the 5th anniversary of your blog, but all of the amazing milestones you included in this post! It was fun to read and I can’t wait to dive into some of the links on growing your blog. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog so thanks for continuing to share such great stuff!

    Reply

  14. Kathy W. says

    Love your blog. Actually dislike weekend days, when I can’t enjoy a new post with my coffee. I just have to tell you, though, the word “whoa” is spelled incorrectly in the timeline. (Or maybe there is a new interweb-land word “woah” because I certainly see lots of people using it on Facebook!) :-)

    Reply

  16. feep says

    I like the picture of John in front of the UVa Chapel. That is where I married my wife. Here is to another awesome 5 years.

    Reply

  18. Christi says

    Congrats on FIVE years of blogging! I check your blog every day and love how honest and open you are with everything!

    I am looking forward to 50 years more… can you imagine what the tech world will be like then! ;)

    Congrats!

    Reply

  20. Stephanie says

    Man five years!!!!! I read every morning and I think I found you in early 2009 when I saw your bedroom on the HGTV website when searching Rate My Space for IKEA bedroom furniture. Totally out of the blue and that was 3.5 years ago. Time has flown by!! Love your website!

    Reply

  21. Lea says

    Congrats! I found your blog when you were part of a porch decorating contest for ApartmentTherapy, and have kept up since :) I think your consistency is really key because even other blogs I love, I’ll get disappointed or frustrated when their schedule is off or random days aren’t updated.

    Anywho, I love the manner in which you tell a story. How you manage to make building a patio fascinating is awesome. I’m still afraid of tackling big projects but just the other day I thought about buying some caulking and sprucing things up around here (rental).

    Thanks for all your hard work!!

    Reply

  22. LARY@ Inspiration Nook says

    How exciting! Reading your blog has been part of my life for such a long time and your story inspires me everyday to be a better “house girlfriend” and blogger. Cheers to five more years and many more after that!! Virtual hugs to the four of you! :)

    Reply

  23. Katie says

    Your Blogiversary could also be titled “No work will be getting done this week”. I love all your posts but I just remember from last year how much I looked forward to reading each blogiversary post. I love everything about your blog, how real you guys keep it, the variety, the usefulness of each post and that adorable Clara and Burger. Thank you for always being so gracious to us blog readers, I appreciate how you always post at set times. Keep up the amazing work! I can’t wait to read your book (already pre-ordered).

    Reply

  26. Sara R says

    Congrats on 5 years!
    You guys have certainly had an impact on my life. From the decision to cloth diaper to considering DIY a feasible option in almost any scenario… you and your blog have really empowered me to try things and fail with grace. :) Thank you for the years of inspiration! I’m glad I’m not alone in my love for YHL!

    Keep up the good work!

    Reply

  27. KJ says

    Greetings and congrats on the blogiversary. I’m a big chart/graph nerd too so I love when you give us newbies the breakdown…speaking of breakdown do you watch breaking it down with Catherine Reitman….so worth checking out…wow tangent…the reason for my comment was to ask you two a few probing questions (I’m in the never TMI or oversharing category lol). Well, one specific question (your quiz got me thinking so this is your fault) if you two had a chance to be a walk-on, extra or small speaking role on a tv show (past or present, “reality” or fiction) what show would you pick? …And bonus question, what would the role be? Just gotta know since you seem to be tv junkies like me….luuuuurve any “housewives” series. I think Vancouver was my fav (since I’m canadian I’m biased)
    Congrats again, love the blog!

    Reply

  28. Lisa in Seattle says

    In honor of this auspicious and dignified occasion, I wrote you a song!* Picture all 5 million of us gathered around you, clapping like deranged seals:

    “Happy Blogiversary
    Today’s your special daaaaay
    Happy Blogiversary
    That’s why we’re here to saaaay
    Happy Blogiversary
    May all your dreams come truuuuue
    Happy Blogiversary
    From all 5 Mil’ to you!”

    *Disclaimer: The people at Red Robin wrote this song. I adapted it.

    Reply

  29. Lauren@FilingJointly says

    Happy Blogiversary! I’m pretty sure the proper anniversary gift for five years is wood, which seems apt. I’ve been reading since the This Young House days and hope to still be reading when you hit 15 years, at which point the appropriate gift of course is Big Metal Chickens.

    You guys were my inspiration to start a blog and more recently my inspiration to take my own leap of faith and quit my day job to write. So thanks!

    Reply

  30. Brittany says

    I love the timeline! I’ve been following you guys for just about a year or so and I love your taste in your home and your style of writing! I try to be as real as you guys are on my blog too and I have so much fun! : ) Congratulations on five years of blogging!

    Reply

  32. Molly says

    Congratulations. I am a rather new-ish, yet devout reader. I absolutely love your site and am happy at your success, even if John did go to UVA! Cannot wait to read your book.

    I also work with my spouse and I am thrilled to see someone else who isn’t having a negative work-home relationship.

    ~molly, the Hokie. Go Hokies!

    Reply

  33. Deb D. says

    Being a ’91 UVa grad, I’ve got a few years on you both, but you all surpass me in the DIY realm by leaps and bounds. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, though — and you all make it fun to boot! I love seeing what you all come up with and my design aesthetic has certainly gone from being stodgy (more like my parents decor) to more youthful! Thanks for being an inspiration all around. You guys are too cute and deserve all the success you’ve had and have coming your way!!

    Reply

  36. Luke says

    Congratulations! Maybe it’s because my fam does not live nearby and I’m used to watching their kids grow through photos, but watching Clara has felt like a huge priviledge. I’m excited for your book – you deserve all the sucess and happiness.

    Reply

  40. Kate Schneider says

    Congratulations!!! I’m an avid reader who rarely comments (this may be a first) and always enters contests :). I just want to say thank you for sharing your DIY adventures and your life. I’ve found comfort in your honesty, inspiration from your decisions, and humor in how you relate to the blog world. This is a great milestone and you should celebrate.

    Reply

  42. jennT says

    whoop whoop!! :) hope yall are bouncing aruond singing “cellllllllllllllllll-A-brate goooood times, COME ON!” cuz that’s totally what i’d be doing. :) ps–sweet gig on the TWO book deal; I can hardly wait for the first one. :)

    Reply

  43. Jenia says

    Congratulations!! You are such an inspiration :)
    5 years ago I have just moved to the US from Russia and was wondering whether my 3-year-mostly-long-distance relationship with this fantastic American guy was going to work out. Well, now I’m married to this guy and we have just moved to the United Arab Emirates for two years. Who would have thought?!

    Reply

  44. Sammy says

    Congrats!!! I love hearing about your blog journey, since I’ve kind of started one of my own, but here I can see clearly it’s a slow process. Keep up the great work!! Can’t wait to hear more!!
    xx

    Reply

  45. Angie says

    I had no idea I was a part of something so big. You guys have some serious magnetism! Blog traffic at five million? That something so personal like your home and family, writing and graphic design can support your family and your goals and dreams blows my mind/inspires me. I know you guys are humble and given to self deprecation (i.e. winking butt jeans references), but your really have worked incredibly hard and been so open and creative with what you’ve got; you deserve every single reader. And just so you know, Sherry, it’s no surprise you’ve done well when you’ve got such great grammar and composition skills; I know I’m not the only one who stops reading great blogs with great content just because I wince too many times a paragraph. You and John put out quality work, and we all know it. That’s why we’re here.

    Reply

  47. Jennifer says

    Woohoo – congratulations on 5 years! My husband Sebastian and I just love you guys! Since buying a house this summer (every room is a re-do), our mantra has become “How did younghouselove do it?” Sebastian of course digs the manly posts about tools and building giant things like decks, and I love the in-depth DIY projects, especially since they are budget friendly for us! You seem like such a loving and fun family – I hope you are able to do this blog for a long time! (Random reason why we think you guys are right up our alley, my husband and I will randomly quote lines from Friends, including “Pivot!” whenever we move something-hahaha!)

    Reply

  49. Annie says

    Congratulations! 5 years ago I was moving to London, just shy of 6 months with my beloved (who moved to London for me)…Since then we have whirlwinded into renting two apartments and eventually buying our own home, getting engaged and married, getting pregnant and in turn starting a blog about it! We’ve been doing the blog now for just over 8 months and our weekly blog views amount to about 4! I cannot imagine 5 million looking in that window to our lives…

    The baby is due within the next 3 weeks, currently making me need to pee! It was because of your blog we decided to embark on a cloth diaper journey…and even purchased a couple of custom designed ones from a UK company…. http://familyswift.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/seventy-five-percent/ there’s a photo about halfway down this post :) xx

    Reply

  50. Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says

    It’s so great to see how far you’ve come over the years! I started reading about 2 years ago and have been hooked ever since! Your success comes in your personalities! You guys are so interesting and I know your readers have always felt like they personally know you and that’s a super awesome thing … all awkwardness aside!

    Reply

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