Happy Birthday Boston Mamas!
Today I reflect on the birth of this site, and how we’re going to rock the celebration together:
Even though Boston Mamas is a major part of my identity, it’s still hard for me to believe that today marks the site’s 3rd birthday. At this time three years ago I was wading miserably through my postdoctoral fellowship, probably as close as I’ve ever come to a nervous breakdown. I didn’t officially leave academia until September 2006, but I vividly remember having the “aha!” moment to create the site in June 2006, followed by an intense flurry of writing and designing in the wee hours between Laurel’s nursings (how I was even remotely functional during the day I cannot say), and the site’s launch just a few weeks later, on July 9, 2006. After three years of professional dissatisfaction and major dysfunction with my advisor, my creative spirit finally was reawakened and moving forward.
There’s been no shortage of excitement in the last three years, whether it has been technical debilitation, getting dumped for my first TV interview because I wouldn’t allow the producers to film footage of Laurel on the potty, recruiting contributing writers, wrestling with the one company who stiffed me on sponsorship fee (though at least they delivered the prize to the winner), starting the Boston Mamas mamapreneur business network and Boston Mamas local parent resource page, having my web host pull the plug on me without notice, introducing the Boston Mamas Rock! series, designing cute tees, meeting amazing bloggers through events, battling it out with Boston.com, or receiving all sorts of generous and kind press and accolades that still stun me to this day.
But beyond all of these ups and downs, the thing that keeps me grounded is YOU. There’s no point to doing what I’m doing unless I’m creating content that is interesting, informative, and useful, and if there are people who are reading this content. Even though I regret not having the time to respond to every piece of correspondence, I love reading your thoughtful comments and emails and I am so grateful that people take the time to hop on the site amidst their very busy days.
I’m completely candid with people about the fact that of all the professional hats I wear (blogger, graphic designer, freelance writer and editor) Boston Mamas is the least lucrative (i.e., via the very obvious advertising tiles…do I need to say again how much I hate advertorials?) but the most time consuming. But in lots of ways it's also the most interactive and rewarding. I'm so grateful this site is part of my life.
Now, on to the celebration. I love a good party and I love presents and since Boston Mamas readers actually tag in from all over the map, we're going to rock an online party. I have rounded up a collection of awesome and generous sponsors who are donating fabulous goods to be won. All you need to do is stop by daily, and when you see a birthday giveaway post that features an item you’d like to win, enter per the instructions.
I’ll close here with a final thank you for being a Boston Mamas reader. And now I’m off to launch the first birthday giveaway!
Comments
Congratulations! I've been a reader for almost the whole time, started building my business around the same time. And always a huge fan of Boston Mamas:)
Posted by: Katja of Skimbaco | July 9, 2009 8:48 AM | Reply to this comment
so glad you followed your heart on this one. your site is excellent. congrats on three great years!
Posted by: molly | July 9, 2009 8:57 AM | Reply to this comment
Congratulations! I'm so proud of you and so happy to have been part of the journey. :-)
Posted by: Kate | July 9, 2009 10:38 AM | Reply to this comment
Congratulations, dear friend! Thank you for being my inspiration and firestarter! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Paige | July 9, 2009 4:15 PM | Reply to this comment
Happy birthday!!
Posted by: Heidi Hanson | July 9, 2009 6:35 PM | Reply to this comment
Congrats =) I love your site. I started reading about two years ago & I'm always coming back for more. Thanks for always giving your readers such great content. I don't know how you deliver such awesome content when you've got so much going...you're superwoman!
Posted by: Carla | July 9, 2009 7:19 PM | Reply to this comment
Congratulations on so much success and all your wonderful content for the moms of Boston. Here's to many more years of great writing.
Posted by: Sheri Gurock | July 9, 2009 10:59 PM | Reply to this comment
you go, you bad ass rockin momma!
Posted by: shasha | July 10, 2009 11:14 AM | Reply to this comment
cool
Posted by: sue | July 20, 2009 8:00 AM | Reply to this comment
Congratulations C ! Your are amazingly talented ! Happy Birthday !
Posted by: amba | July 29, 2009 10:28 AM | Reply to this comment
I remember when you first launched, being in Everett it was a real treat to see a site devoted to mothers in the Boston area. This site has come such a long way!
congrats and happy birthday!
Posted by: Jean Parks | August 9, 2009 9:13 PM | Reply to this comment
Congratulations, Christine! You have always been someone that I admire. I'm glad to be a part of something that you have created!
Posted by: Jen Pressey | August 11, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply to this comment
Looks comfy!!!
Posted by: Diana | August 26, 2009 5:19 PM | Reply to this comment
Congratulations on the launching of this site 3 yrs ago.. you should be so proud of your achievements in life. Way to go!
Posted by: Nora McClymer | August 31, 2009 7:59 AM | Reply to this comment
I love the birth charm necklace! what a treasure.. meaning, beauty and appreciation.
Posted by: Nora McClymer | August 31, 2009 8:03 AM | Reply to this comment