With more than 2,300 posts behind us, digging back through the archives has become a monumental task. For our fifth blogiversary, we decided to highlight a handful of memorable moments from those 260 weeks of posts. Here’s a nostalgic stroll through firsts, favorites, oddities, and a few standout projects.

First Makeover Reveal: Our very first before-and-after wasn’t the kitchen that later launched this site, but a small laundry nook we tackled in November 2007. We learned early on to photograph truly “before” shots—our original picture was actually taken mid-demo, which became a helpful lesson for future renovations.

Weirdest Wardrobe (human and canine): In December 2007 we documented how long the cabinet installation in our first kitchen was taking and included a photo showing how oddly cabinet-sized Sherry looked—especially in matching Christmas pajamas shared with a then one-year-old Burger.

Most Ridiculous Styling: In 2007 we were still experimenting with our decorating voice. One early guest bedroom reveal (a room that later became Clara’s nursery) featured fuzzy leopard slippers. It’s a good reminder of how much our style has evolved.

Most Unreleased Video: After winning a blogging contest in 2007, we recorded a video interview. Nervous and over-prepared, we never got to share the footage publicly because the site went on hiatus shortly after. In hindsight, keeping it private may have been for the best.

First IKEA Hack: As 2008 began, we converted basic IKEA wardrobes into a built-in look around our bed using doorless units, curtains, and a custom header—our first foray into adapting mass-market furniture into something custom-looking.

First “Burning Question”: Back in May 2008 we started a weekly tradition of posing decor and home-improvement questions to readers. Our first asked whether a table should be kept permanently set—an earnest conversation starter that drew a modest 18 responses at the time.

First Mood Board: Alongside the Burning Questions, we began sharing design help in the form of online mood boards. Our first was a living room concept for a reader named Manisha.

First Press Mention: The Richmond Times-Dispatch featured us in its “I Did It Myself” section in May 2008 after we built a pedestal table from a thrift-store base and a stock top. Our parents were delighted.

Favorite Small Craft: One of our simplest beloved projects is the vacation memory jar series we posted in the summer of 2008—an easy, sentimental craft idea that still brings a smile.

First House Crashing: Before asking strangers to let us photograph their homes, we started by photographing my sister’s newly constructed house in Richmond in 2008. That early house crash eventually led to multiple revisits as she continued to update the space.

First Reader Redesign: Also in 2008 we debuted our first Reader Redesign, a series that offered design makeovers for readers’ spaces. It was a fun way to expand the blog beyond our own house projects.

First Design Dilemma Solved: Mood boards don’t always result in after-photos, so when they do it feels special. Our first successful follow-up came from a friend, Stacie, who shared photos of a bedroom she finished after using a YHL mood board. That makeover led to several house crashings that showcased the transformation.

First Wedding Week: We began celebrating our wedding and love-related posts on our first anniversary in July 2008. That initial Wedding Week established the content that later became the Wedding tab on the site.

The Biggest Turning Point: The blog’s trajectory changed early on when we won a contest that boosted our confidence and encouraged us to keep going. That unexpected win, just a couple months into blogging, gave the site the momentum it needed.

Hardest Posts to Write: Some posts were deeply personal. Sherry found writing about Clara’s birth and the death of her Aunt Kay Kay especially difficult but also therapeutic. For John, owning up to a failed deck inspection was one of the toughest posts—admitting the setback and keeping the project moving was a challenge.

Most Random Tangent: We occasionally stray off-topic—parenting, running, even haircuts—as many blogs do. One particularly random and well-commented post from January 2011 listed the alternate names our parents considered for each of us, which sparked lots of conversation.

Most Embarrassing: Sherry’s high-school-era encounter with Eminem, including a vintage MTV appearance and associated footage, remains one of our most blush-inducing posts. It’s equal parts mortifying and nostalgic.

Shortest and Longest Posts: We’ve ranged from concise to exhaustive. One early post clocked in at about 125 words—rare short-and-sweet content—while a recent blogiversary post about time, money, and priorities approached 4,000 words and included numerous charts.

Most Unusual and Experimental Posts: In early days we experimented with formats, including a post written entirely as a dialogue between the two of us. We enjoyed that playful approach and still hope to revisit it from time to time.

Biggest Budget Project: Our first kitchen remodel remains the most expensive single project to date at around $17,500. It was largely contracted work and marked a big milestone in our DIY journey.

Favorite Projects and Posts: John’s favorite completed project is our hallway frame wall from 2011—a project that hits the right balance between approachable and impactful. Sherry’s favorite is the quick transformation of painting the backs of our built-ins a deep teal, a change that reshaped the room in an evening. For favorite posts, John cherishes our “first day in our current house” post for its sense of possibility, while Sherry connects most with the reveal of Clara’s nursery for its emotional significance.

We’ve shared a lot of projects, life moments, and decorating experiments over the years. Now we want to hear from you: do you have a favorite post on your own blog or a diary entry that reflects a particularly creative or cringe-worthy moment? What’s a memory you look back on with a smile—or a wince?