It was a big week for us at the House of Valentina! Our Hailey turned a whopping 23!! 23!! She celebrated her first birthday in Spain, her 3rd in the US, her 6th in Morocco, her 10th in Denmark, and then she’s gotten a few more under her belt here in the US. It’s been A WILD RIDE! Sometimes I wonder if we were crazy (ok, I’m certain of it!) and other times I think we were gutsy and determined (the nice way of saying we were nuts!). 🙂
However we choose to see it, life has never been dull. And nothing we have ever done has been buy the book! (That’s probably an understatement!). We wanted a life of adventure and moving back to the US was the beginning of a whole new one- starting House of Valentina, buying our home, and renovating it… all while sharing it with the world. Most days it doesn’t seem real, but when we read your comments and get your notes and words of kindness and affirmation, we are reminded that it’s not the world we are sharing this great adventure with- but you!
Wow!!! I had no idea that House of Valentina would bring us a community to share life with. When we first moved overseas in 2002 the only connection we had with anyone outside of Spain was through a terribly pixilated online camera and e-mail (and even that most people never checked!). I remember, especially in the early days when we were just starting to learn Spanish (because apparently 4 years in American high school and then university hadn’t taught me how to ACTUALLY speak!) I felt so alone. We were surrounded by people but had no voice and when we spoke it was like we were 3 again. It was so humbling and humiliating!
The gift of connecting with each of you is beyond words! It has been life altering for us! It brings us so much joy each week and the most indescribable feeling that not only are we heard and seen, but we have found kindred spirits all around the world. I wish I had known in the beginning that this would be the result of all the days spent trying to figure out how to use the camera and how to edit! It would definitely have gotten us through some dark days after moving back when Jack hadn’t gotten a job yet and our bank account was just about empty and our credit cards getting very close to their max.
I started House of Valentina with a dream. It was a dream to help others find their way home and to create their dream life within it. Almost 8 years back in the US and surrounded by the most incredible community of people, I have to tell you that I didn’t dream big enough! This isn’t just about decorating- it’s about finding others to share the journey with. And wow. Are we ever grateful for you!
I hope, even in our small way, that we bring you joy, laughter, and encouragement in your own journey of creating your home and living your greatest life. I know you have done that for us and we are so so grateful for each and every one of you!
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