It’s a very special day here at Why CLE! First, it’s CLEgrandpa’s 88th birthday, so cheers to him. Also, cheers to PIP Mom, as it’s her birthday as well!
But it’s also Why CLE’s second blogiversary!
I’m amazed at what this blog has grown into in the last two years. Over the past 378 posts, I’ve strengthened, changed, and truly found my voice, with the help of you and your 2,254 comments. But numbers only tell part of the story.
My early posts were decidedly less personal and more tour guide-ish, such as this one.
It took me five months to post a picture of myself, which I did for the first time in this post.
It took me a year to start using “Jen” instead of “CLEgal” to refer to myself, which I started in last year’s blogiversary post.
Over the last two years, I’ve shared things, not just about why I came back to Cleveland, but about my weight loss, my hard lesson in Internet safety, and even my wedding.
When I started Why CLE, the blog was going to be balanced between good and bad things about Cleveland. I soon realized that I just love this city and there is more than enough snark on the Internet, so I changed to fashioning every post into a reason why I love Cleveland, hoping that you could find the common threads in my experience to hold onto for yourself. I will always be honest with you about my experiences, but at the same time this blog will always err toward the positive.
Beyond just the changes in my writing, I’ve found my love and commitment to Cleveland strengthened, my social calendar filled, and my creative muscles flexed in ways I never could have imagined two years ago. I’ve also met some of the most amazing people, done some of the most fun things, and made some of the most wonderful friends.
Daily, I am so grateful for and humbled by those of you who read along on this journey and for the opportunities and relationships blogging has afforded me. I’m also so in debt to Matthew and my family who allow me the time and give me the support and patience when I take pictures of everything or spend hours prepping posts.
As a small token of my affection, I’d like to give away something I saw at CLE Clothing Co. that caught my eye.
It’s meant to be a Christmas ornament, although I think it could also be a year-round sun catcher. Here’s how to enter to win (leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry):
1. Leave a comment letting me know your biggest and best reason why you love CLE.
2. Tweet the following phrase: It’s @WhyCLE’s 2nd blogiversary and I want to win some CLE decor: http://wp.me/p1fb9r-19o
You can tweet once per day for additional entries, just leave a separate comment each time you tweet.
The giveaway will close on Monday, December 17 at 11:59pm and the winner will be announced on Monday, December 18. Good luck! And thank you for an awesome 2 years…I know blogs have a shelf life, but I hope to keep entertaining you for at least a little while longer.
Yay! Happy Blogiversary! I love hearing your upbeat perspectives on all things Cleveland, and like you said, there is enough snark out there on the subject. So it’s nice to meet someone who loves Cleveland as much as I do, and I’m not even from here originally. It has been awesome getting to know you, through your blog and otherwise!
Congrats on two years! It’s so funny because I was so busy having fun, I totally forgot about my 1 year anniversary – maybe I’ll remember next year 🙂 I’m going to say that I love Cleveland’s amazing FOOD! Not just restaurants but farmer’s markets, CSA’s, Fresh Fork and of course the West Side Market that I find myself going less and less to an actual grocery store unless it’s for things like cereal and gum.
Happy blogiversary! it took me awhile to post pics of myself and actually “come out” with my name too you’re ready when you’re ready! here’s to many more years of blogging ahead!! 🙂
Whoo hoo! Auguri (congratulations)!
I love Cleveland for its people – so down-to-earth, culturally diverse and with wonderful hearts!
Happy blogiversary! Since Kristian already said my favorite reason for loving Cleveland, I’m going to say it’s accessible arts community – we have a variety of theatre choices without being overwhelmed, that’s also fairly affordable. Our Art Museum is free (whoo-hoo!) and places like Near West Theatre really encourage the idea of community involvement in the arts.
Tweeted!
happy blogiversary! ive so enjoyed reading your blog and getting to know you over the past several months. heres to many more bogiversaries!
I started following your blog over a year ago and am so happy to see it grow and evolve along the way. Thanks for inspiring us other bloggers! Keep up the good work and cheers to many more years of sharing Why CLE is awesome!!!
Tweeted!
Congratulations! I love reading about your CLE adventures and getting to know the other CLE bloggers (virtually). I’m so proud of you!
Why I love CLE? The people for sure – it just feels like home (which it’s always been of course) but it’s something most cities don’t have.
Congrats on the anniversary!! I teared up a little reading those old blog posts….just remembering how things were, and seeing how far you’ve come -you’re always an inspiration =) My favorite thing about CLE is also sometimes my least favorite…that everyone knows someone who like, lived next door to your dad’s great aunt, or went to school with your boyfriend’s cousin’s wife….but that what makes it truly feel like home!
Happy Blogiversary! Cheers to many more!
Happy Blogiversay. Seems like you’ve been around for so much longer than 2 years.
Congratulations! Keep entertaining and updating and intriguing! CLE appreciates all that you do!
What’s there not to love about Cleveland?! I love EVERYTHING! The food, the lake, sports, people, seasons, corporate scene, art, traditions, newness…I love it all!
Great job on the blog! Plain and simple the best thing about Cleveland is my family. It is home – always has been and always will be!
Tweeted!
I love CLE because its changed for me and with me. I studied here as a grad student, lived here as a young professional, and now am raising kids here. It fits every facet of my life!
I love Cleveland because there’s always something to do, a game to go to or an event. I’m so glad I’ve moved here!
And I tweeted! (@gedert014)