I've Got So Much Love For Young House Love: Or, Dolphin-Mutant Girl Meets Her Blog Heroes

It was a long day at work. After hours of standing on my feet and keeping small school children's grubby hands from grabbing at my favorite Degas painting, I was ready to fall into bed at only 6pm. I had walked halfway home when it hit me. "It's Wednesday. Wednesday the 29th. It's... IT'S BOOK SIGNING DAY. HOLY CERAMIC ANIMALS, OH GOD I'M LATE."

That's right, my favorite DIY duo Sherry and John Petersik of Young House Love were in town signing their new book. I had RSVP'd to the event months in advance, written a note in my planner in giant red letters, planned a cute Sherry-chic outfit complete with black blazer and dangly earrings, but had somehow completely forgotten about the event the day-of. Realizing my mistake, I nearly got hit by a car running out into the middle of 17th street, and before you could say "oil rubbed bronze", I had hopped in a cab headed for Georgetown.

When I got to the venue, the line was ridiculously long. Thank goodness Flor, our generous hosts, had hired a cookie and hot chocolate food truck to sit outside and keep the hundreds of us paint-chip-loving-high-and-wide-curtain-hanging ladies (and, like, the five boyfriends of said ladies that showed up) filled with snacks. I'm not going to lie, waiting in the winter cold for an hour and a half wasn't the highlight of the evening. I most definitely lost feeling in my toes. Thankfully, I made small talk with a few fabulous fellow readers including Jacqulyn (and her sweet supportive husband), Michele, and Amanda. Line Friends are good friends to have. They hold your place while you get hot apple cider, keep you entertained with their own renovation projects, and can be guaranteed to gush with you about Katie Bower's new baby.

Let me tell you, I was not a well behaved line person. When John looked out from the top story window, made eye contact with our group, I waved, and he waved back? Yeah, I made a high pitched squeal like some weird dolphin-girl mutant. When the lady finally let me in the front door to the building, I let out a "WOO!" that would be more appropriate coming from a male football fan with a half-naked painted torso. Sorry if I embarrassed you, dear Line Friends. I couldn't help myself.

After an agonizing wait, I finally got to meet Sherry and John. Let me tell you folks, they are full of LIES.

In every post they talk about being dorky and awkward. In fact, they repeat it so much that you'd think they were some sort of social lepers that had developed weird twitches and tics that appeared when you said "Home Depot Sale" or "Nate Berkus", but they were some of the most approachable and wonderful people. Seriously, they made tongue-tied me feel like we were fast friends. Our interaction went something like this.

Sherry: HI!
Me: Hi! I've been trying to think of something witty and intelligent to say while I've been in line for two hours--
John: (with a big smile, folding his hands under his chin) Ooh, I'm ready, go ahead.
Me: But I can't think of anything to express how much I LOVE your blog.
Sherry: WE LOVE YOU TOO!
Me: I've been reading since I was a teenager. I had the coolest dorm room thanks to you guys. No kidding, I got all the best compliments.*
Sherry: Well, even if you couldn't think of anything to say, I would have had to compliment you on your nail polish! IT'S SO PRETTY!
Me: China Glaze. Five dollars.
Sherry: OOH!**
Me: Can I take a picture with you guys?
Sherry and John: Yeah, sure!
Me: Can we take a silly photo?
Sherry: OH YEAH! What do you have in mind?
Me: Well, since I'm incapable of being attractive at all in regular photos, just, you know, anything silly goes.

And that's how that awful picture of me happened. Really, I'm the most ineloquent and inarticulate person ever. Thank you, Sherry and John, for not calling me on that and being absolutely wonderful. You made meeting you a dream come true!

* Like this is the most impressive thing ever or something. I don't know what was coming out of my mouth. Also disclaimer: I swear I don't look that weird in everyday life.
** This is not excessive capslock usage. She really did talk this enthusiastically. It was so cute.