And just like that…Dream Green DIY is 15 years old! I get such an immense feeling of gratification and pride when I type that or say it out loud. To think that the website and brand I launched more than a decade ago is still here inspiring a dedicated community of creative homebodies is absolutely the greatest achievement of my life. I never could have dreamed that DGD would end up becoming my whole career and that it would sustain me and my family for these past 15 years, but it’s all because of you. Not to get all sappy, but thank you for following along, for engaging with my stories, and for cheering us on through our three home renovations since I hit publish on that first blog post in March of 2011.

The blog, of course, has evolved quite a bit since it launched, and so have we. Back then I was 25 years old, unmarried, and working in human resources for a local non-profit. John and I hadn’t even moved in together yet, but it was our connection that inspired me to start blogging. We were so young back then and full of energy. Every weekend was spent shopping at antique stores to furnish his then-bachelor pad, painting rooms, and generally “playing house” with the space that would one day become our first home as newlyweds. Dream Green DIY was born out of that time in my life, and it makes me so happy to think that we’re still doing all of that—now just in our forever home (and with a whole lot less energy as 40-somethings).

I didn’t realize that this blog post was going to turn into a love letter to the life John and I have built together, but it’s sweet to connect the dots that this blog really is a love letter to that life! The blog wouldn’t be here without the moments of inspiration I’ve felt with John by my side, and I couldn’t love our three homes together more. We talk often about how much we adore our current 1960s ranch, and how we hope to never, ever have to move again.

As I said, we’ve slowed down a lot now that we’re both turning 40 this year, and we also are finally in a place in our lives where we don’t feel the need to change the décor in our home as often as we used to. We feel settled and ready to actually enjoy our spaces. Happily, that doesn’t mean the blog is going anywhere. I have so many ideas for new homebody stories to share here on Dream Green DIY, from recipes and cleaning advice, to houseplant care, organization tips, and so much more. Do-it-yourself content is here to stay on the blog, and I hope to be chatting with you in another 15 years, reminiscing about all of the ups and downs and moments of celebration that continue to come along with home-ownership.

Thanks again for contributing to this little community I’ve been building since 2011, and I can’t wait to see what you and I both get up to in the next handful of years. Stay tuned!