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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I really do have so much to be thankful for this year.
I have an excellent tribe of friends who make me laugh– who will drink and eat with me, and who will talk me off the ledge on those days when I want to put Marlowe up for sale on Ebay.
I am in good health– and so are all of the members of my family, which is an exceedingly precious gift. There are so very many families whose members will gather in a hospital or hospice room today, and my heart feels overwhelmed by their resilience.
I have a warm and comfortable home, a car, a job, and food on my table every day. When I list these in order, I think of how many people in our Country cannot rely on all or any of those things, and it reminds me how lucky I truly am.
I have the best partner. Our relationship is not perfect, but I feel so grateful to have a husband who really is my best friend and greatest confidante. He has been instrumental in all of my personal growth this past year, and has believed in me for many years– even when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m so very thankful that our daughter has him as her Daddy. When I see them together, I feel that for everything I have ever done wrong I have somehow gotten this one thing completely right.
Of course, words can hardly express how thankful I am for my sweet and funny little girl. I have fallen in love again, so entirely, and she teaches me more and more about myself all the time. I feel so grateful to have a child who I not only love, but also like! A lot. I know a time may come one day when we take a little break from being Best Friends, but for now I rejoice in the littlest moments of togetherness– nuzzling her neck and burying my face in her pigtails while we count the monkeys on her bedroom wallpaper, or read Goodnight Moon for the thousandth time.
I also have this blog. I am so very thankful that I have had the opportunity this year to learn something new, and to test myself as a person and as a dreamer. I was so scared, for so many years, to change what I was doing– to decide that I had the right to feel dissatisfied with a job that was no longer making me happy. All I can say is that when you spend enough time feeling like you aren’t brave enough to be truly happy, it begins to effect every corner of your life. Opening the door for myself and allowing myself to walk through in to a new chapter has been the most terrifying and joyful and freeing experience I’ve ever had. It has brought many moments of insecurity– failures, frustrations, and avoidable idiocy (of course), but it has also been a kind of rebirth. I feel so fortunate to be putting something positive in to the Universe, with all of my best energy behind it. I truly love this. And so I am thankful to YOU– my thoughtful, caring, funny, and inspiring readership, for simply being here. From the Eva I was before, to the happiest Eva… after.
Thank you, and have a beautiful Holiday!
xoxo
EAM
Photographs by Nina Suh for Love And Lemonade Photography
Reading your blog posts seriously brings a smile to my face! Thank you for sharing parts of your life and family with us and writing about everything in such a positive and inspiring way. This post made me reflect on all I have to be thankful for and the cute pictures of your family are a nice touch. Happy Thanksgiving, Eva!
Kristi-
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! It means so much that you are enjoying the site! Please keep reading!
xoxo
EAM
Hi Eva,
I love reading your blog and seeing all of your fun posts on Instagram and Snapchat. You have such a beautiful family and I adore all of the pictures of Marlowe. I know this year has been tough for you as a Mom, but you somehow found the strength to move forward. Thank you for being honest and vulnerable with your fans. Your positive attitude inspires me, and I always look forward to your posts. Many blessings to you and your family!!
Rebecca,
Thank you! That means a lot. I am so happy to have you as a part of the Happily Eva After community!
xoxo
EAM
Your life is inspiring in every sense. But even more affecting is your gratitude for what you’ve been given and earned. It’s lovely to witness. Thank you for sharing your ideas, faves, choices, fears — the whole shebang. I am so grateful for your authenticity!
Eva-Congrats on such a beautifully curated blog! i love keeping up with your latest tips and ideas.
Also, the grey dress you are wearing in the photo above is great. Where can we find it? Best–MM
Ah! Found it in previous post. Thanks!
Megan,
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying that– and the grey Elizabeth and James is daaaangerously fabulous. It’s kind of stretchy so it’s extra flattering 🙂
xx
EAM
Eva! It has been so much fun reading your blog and catching up on your life via Instagram when I can 🙂 it feels like just yesterday we were bopping around kidding around as “kids”. Your family is seriously adorable! Xoxo Taryn
Taryn!
Oh my gosh, HI! So nice to connect with you on here, so happy you found the blog! I still consider myself a master at gift-wrapping from my days selling toys at Kidding Around 🙂 Hope all is well with you guys!
xoxo
EAM
the blog is great! Love how real and honest you are. Even as a single lady- I love reading all your mama/wifey tips ! Haha I’m sure Kidding Around is happy to take the credit for that! We should grab a coffee or drink next time your in the big apple 😉 xoxo