Truth and Cake is celebrating its first birthday!
I have this little five year journal where I write a few lines each day. It’s a writer’s trick so that I don’t forget dates and places and important things when I sit down to write about them, but it’s also pretty illuminating to compare what you were doing and thinking about a year (or two or three) ago to what you’re doing today. On February 29 (leap year), I wrote in my little journal, “Do I want to start a blog?” One week later, I wrote, “Yes.” And on March 26, after a cupcake/ pig photoshoot and a little html tinkering, I hit publish on my first ever blog post.
Two days later, I posted “What Did You Give Up To Get What You Got?” and watched as thousands of people poured in from all over the world. Many of you who commented on that post are still here today, regularly contributing your thoughts and ideas. I so look forward to seeing your tiny picture pop up in the comments section as I think, “I wonder what Marsella or Scott or Jessica or Claire or Kristy or Tobi or insert name of fabulous reader/blogger here have to say.” I love chatting with you.
And oh, how we’ve chatted: about marriage and creativity and perfectionism and oversharing and stealing like an artist and just being plain awesome.
45,654 words and 4,121 comments later, my baby blog is growing into a rambunctious, busy toddler.
“Yes.”
One little world can open the door to so many happy possibilities.
I want to thank each and every one of you for sharing your thoughts, for commenting a little or a lot, for making my blog a part of your weekly reading routine.
Truth and Cake just wouldn’t be as delicious (or as honest) without you.
Onward to year 2!
Rian,
Congrats, and here’s to many more!
Le Clown
Merci, Le Clown! It’s not every day you get to use “Le Clown” in a sentence. I like it.
Rian, I have been around from the start. I may not comment as often anymore, but I always lurk (as I like to say). I just celebrated my one years, so I Cheers to you and your one year!! It’s a great feat.
Hey Becca, thanks for lurking ;) I’m raising a glass of something bubbly to the both of us. Cheers!
Congrats Rian…so glad you said yes! Your words, from the beginning, always stay with me and leave me thinking and pondering. I often feel that with your posts, it’s a conversation, even if all through the screen/keyboard. I like the way you think and I really look forward to what you bring to our blogging community in year 2…onward! :)
Thank you for the lovely comment, Bonnie. The feeling is mutual–you always have something interesting to add to the conversation. I’m really looking forward to year 2–it feels like I’m up and toddling along, which is a great feeling :)
Congrats – Looking forward to the posts to come in Year 2!!! Happy Day Indeed:)
Thanks :)
I love a blogiversary! Break out the bubbly. Congrats!
Thanks, Amber. Ching, ching.
Yay! I’m excited for year two — I do love seeing that little email pop up when there’s a new slice of Truth and Cake :) Here’s to another fabulous year! Congrats, Rian!
That makes my heart happy. Thanks for reading (and commenting), Claire!
Happy birthday! I always thoroughly enjoy your posts, but for me, the best thing was when you passed on the Freshly Pressing and extended it to all of us. I have new readers (and have followed new people!) as a result. Fantastic! Look forward to reading more (and seeing what the toddler tantrums bring!) in Year 2 and onwards.
I love doing “Freshly Press Yourself” and I was so happy that it worked well for so many people. There will definitely be more in the future (whether I’m Freshly Pressed again or not).
I always love a birthday celebration. Wow you don’t look a day older! and all that stuff. Count your blessings and not birthdays. Hope you have a wonderful new year as you toddle through.
Oh, you flatterer. glad to hear my age isn’t showing yet (though at 1 year old, I might be in trouble if it were). Thanks for the well wishes!
Happy 1 Year Blogoversary, Rian!!! I’m so glad you decided “yes” – the blogosphere is a far better place for it.
And as someone who’s been around pretty much the whole year (OKAY FINE I’M A LITTLE SMUG) – it has FLOWN by. I couldn’t believe when I saw this post title come through my inbox, and I can’t wait to see what year #2 brings!
You have been around from the start, Jules. And you are one of my favorite blogging friends. One day, we will have that in-person drink (okay, let’s make that plural–who are we kidding). Luckily I have mature blogs such as yours to look up to ;)
Thank you to your journal! I feel honored to be at this birthday party. Time flies when you are havin fun! Hugs to you and the piggie.
Thanks, Marsella–hugs back at ya.
Yay! Happy birthaversary! I love your little collage of the first year. You always inspire me ;)
Thanks, Tobi–you know what’s coming: No, you inspire ME. No, you…. ;)
Happy Birthday Truth and Cake! May you have a long and happy life!
Thanks, here’s hoping!
Congrats on your one year blogiversary, Rian! I read somewhere that most bloggers peter out after about six months of blogging, so it’s an accomplishment indeed. I think I first found you thanks to one of your Freshly Pressed articles. You’re a fabulous writer, and I genuinely look forward to each of your posts. And, in a funny twist that shows how small the blogging community is, I’m a big fan of Tobi’s and follow her blog closely too. Congrats again!
Thanks, Jorie. Getting through the first year does feel like an accomplishment, like I made it past the beginners guantlet ;) I’m excited to see what new inspiration and connections year 2 brings. Am I mistaken, or are you about to celebrate 1 year as well?
It is inspiring to see how far you’ve come in a year! I too have one of those five year journals, and I have sadly ignored it for over a year. But today, after reading your post, I pulled it out, and made a note about making a change. Saying “Yes, I can!” and charging forward into the next year. Can’t wait to look back a year from now! :)
That’s awesome, Fahrin. I have neglected mine at times too–there are a few sad holes, but they just add a bit of mystery ;) I hope next year, when you reach that day again, you smile and say, “Yes, I did.”
Has it only been a year? I feel like Truth and Cake has been a part of my blogging experience for far longer than that. Congratulations on this milestone, Rian! Like everyone else here, I’m super thrilled that you chose “Yes” and I can’t wait to see what else you come up with to make us think, intuit what we need to read, and share more of your exciting stories. To Year 2!
It’s funny how long or short a year can seem depending on the measuring stick we use, isn’t it? In some ways this year has felt crazy long and in others it has flown by. I definitely feel like blogging has been part of my life for longer than a year though! It’s been so cool getting to know you Jessica. And I can’t wait to see where we both are a year from now–hopefully somewhere tropical, with umbrella drinks ;)
We need an image of that champagne button you posted on FB :) *clinks glass* Congrats, Rian! I cannot believe it’s been a year, the days are long but the years truly seem short as they whiz by. I too am thankful you said “Yes” to blogging, you showed me it’s important to enjoy and be creative with a blog; that it’s more than words, it’s framing a story. Be well and I hope you enjoy a slice of cake to celebrate along with the bubbly!
“The days are long but the years truly seem short as they whiz by”–so true, Kristy. And becoming more so as the years progress. Thanks for being a part of my blogging experience–I appreciate the time and effort you put into all of your comments here. And I’m really looking forward to year 2! Ching, ching.
Congratulations Rian! I’m new here but just love coming back! To an even more succesfull year 2!
Hi Rosa, thanks for chiming in! It’s nice to meet you and I hope we’ll have some chats in the future.
Happy Birthday, Truth and Cake!
Thanks, Juyjuy!
Yay Rian! I’m so glad you decided to write a blog a bit more than a year ago. You’ve been an inspiration to many of us, and a great blogging buddy. I’m always looking forward to your posts and your thoughtful comments here and on my blog. I keep on coming back for more Truth and Cake because you spot the right topics to write about, and you bring bloggers together. Well done :-)
Thanks for the nice words, Cécile–you’re one of my best blogging buddies and I’m so glad we had the chance to meet in real life last year. I hope our paths will cross again soon. Now go do your school work! ;)
I agree with Cecile. You are a great blogging buddy and I always look forward to your posts.
You have become a friend to me and that’s pretty special in my world.
Thanks you for everything.
Also, thanks for the name mention and link. I really appreciate that.
Scott
Thanks, Scott. Those words mean a lot to me. It still amazes me how blogging connects people who are so geographically distant. I love that it has introduced me to cool people like you. Here’s to another year of blogging friendship :)
Yep, I look very much forward to that.
Congrats! Your first was truly amazing.
Thanks, Noel. It’s nice to hear from you :)
Happy first birthday! xx
Merci, Laura!
Happy first blogging birthday! I’ve also been around from the beginning, and it always makes me smile when a new Truth and Cake post pops up on my reader or on my Facebook news feed. My favourite T&C moments so far have been the posts “fail harder” and “risk guns blazing” – and of course winning a copy of The Casual Vacancy in your competition! Here’s to another great year *raises cup of tea*
Ooh, a tea toast. That’s a first–I like it! Thanks for hanging out with me here for the last year, Nicola. Cheers!
I am delighted & happy that I’ve exceeded the high standards of fabulous blogness in the Comments section to get a mention. Thank you, Rian! I always enjoy reading what you’re up to – your posts always makes me think.
Looking forward to many more T&C anniversaries. :)
But of course, Claire. I love that you always have an interesting opinion and that you’re not too quick to completely agree with me–a different perspective is a great and welcome thing. And I value yours. Looking forward to more discussions in year 2!
I am really happy to know You – Truth and Cake!