Every holiday season--most every day of the year, for that matter--we dote on our clients. And while it's true that said clients are the lifeblood of this little COLLECTIVE of ours, today I'm feeling a profound and overwhelming gratitude for another sensational group of people. That is, the veritable heartbeat of our business--my colleagues. Stick with me. Think of those you work with that make your job easier. The ones that often make you think, "thank god you do that so well...so that I don't have to."

You're glad to have them, right? me, too.

My holiday wish (I'm making it come true right now, actually) is that you, our community and client family, be able to see what I see. I want to give you a peek behind the COLLECTIVE curtain...beyond the home sales and the beautifully designed spaces, beyond the perfectly curated Instagram images and meticulously edited copy, beyond the cozy office and the lofty manifesto. Behind all of that is a very real crew of people. And I want you all to know how very much I appreciate that crew...

so I'm going to give you a gratitude-filled look at why I love where I work so very much.

For all our differences, the team we've built at cityhome is alike in all the ways that matter. Realtors, yes. Designers, yes. Writers and editors and creatives...absolutely. But every last person here is made up of the actual good stuff. They're all the kinds of people I'd let into my life on a personal level (and--for the most part--have). They're the kind of friends that keep secrets and have your back. They're honest people who challenge me every day, but only because they care as deeply about this COLLECTIVE endeavor as I do. When they're in the room, you're reminded of what good people they are...and when they're not around, everyone else talks about how good they are. They tell me what I need to hear, rather than what I want to hear, because they believe it's more important to have a difficult conversation that matters than the easy kind that comes with ambivalence. They're the kind of people that you brag to your mom about. And I do. Like, all the god damn time. *makes quick call*

It's difficult to explain, I suppose, but occasionally I wonder if my chest looks out of place on my body--surely, the love is so big it must be visible on the outside (but, like, let me know if it looks weird or if it just makes my pecks look really good). I feel a palpable joy when I think about the individuals who actually choose to come work at our little company, day in and day out (I'm not crying, you're crying). And so, this holiday season, I want to express love to our clients, yes. Always. You are precisely what makes us tick. But more importantly, I'd like to encourage everyone to express some gratitude for those in your offices, homes, or neighborhoods that may need to hear it. Whomever it is. Say thanks. 'Tis the season.

And to my dear crew at cityhomeCOLLECTIVE--from the absolute depths of my heart--I see you, and I'm glad to have you, and I'm madly, kindly, peacefully in love with all of you. (Have a look at the happy, healthy mugs below and tell me you wouldn't fall just as hard.)

Happy Christmas.