And not only did we make the mag, we actually made the cover. I know — we were stunned. There may or may not have been some excited screaming and a lot of goofy grinning for hours after we found out.

We’ve been over the moon about this little write-up, which was shot back in November when the team also filmed our video house tour. It was one of those long, bustling days that makes you grateful for good coffee and patience: a full crew showed up to help stage, style, and capture the house. Burger, our dog, was the unexpected star of the day. He met a crew of about ten people — a hair and makeup person, a wardrobe stylist and assistant, the photographer and his two assistants, a creative director, a prop stylist and assistant, and a videographer — and handled the attention like a total pro.

They dressed us up (those weren’t our clothes), touched up our faces with powder (Burger was exempt), and gently coached us to relax and smile for the camera. Standing in your own home with that many eyes and lenses on you is oddly intimate and nerve-wracking at the same time; we were both self-conscious and giggly. We tried to act like it was just another ordinary day at Casa Petersik, but of course it felt like anything but ordinary.

Many of you beat us to seeing the spread — subscribers started posting photos and telling us they’d received the issue with our faces on the cover. The funny part is that we didn’t actually receive our own copy on time. The magazine was supposed to arrive around March 30th, but for whatever reason it hadn’t made its way to our house when the rest of the world seemed to have it. Thankfully a friend who had a copy met up with us and handed hers over so we could finally see the feature in person. It’s a subscription-only publication, sent to a large list of newlyweds and not available on newsstands, so getting even one copy in hand felt extra special.

Once we had the magazine, we were both relieved and delighted. The photos were flattering and real in a way that made our nervousness fade. The photographer captured the essence of our home — the light, the little imperfections, and the cozy corners that make this place feel like ours. The editorial team did an excellent job assembling the story so that it reads like a warm introduction to our home rather than a formal catalog shoot.

And what about Burger? He couldn’t have looked cuter. He managed to hold the camera’s attention with those soulful eyes, and that level of calm charm on the cover had us laughing and beaming at the same time. It’s hard not to picture him as a tiny four-legged celebrity whenever we walk past the magazine on a coffee table.

Going through the feature gave us a renewed appreciation for the collaborative work that goes into producing a magazine spread. From the initial creative direction and styling choices to the prop placement and final layout, so many decisions shape the story that ends up on the printed page. It was humbling to be part of that process and gratifying to see our home portrayed so thoughtfully.

We also appreciated how the team respected the feel of our day-to-day life while still elevating certain elements for the shoot. The result is a balance between authenticity and polish: the photos look glossy and magazine-ready, but they still feel like a true reflection of how we live. That balance is difficult to achieve, and seeing it executed so well felt like a reassurance that we’d made the right choices during the shoot.

All in all, being featured and making the cover was a surreal and joyful experience. We’re still smiling when we think about that day, the friendly chaos of the crew, Burger’s calm cameo, and the moment a friend handed us the very issue that put our home on display. It’s one of those milestones that will always feel special — a tangible reminder of a bright, busy day in our house that turned into something we can hold and share.

Psst: we also shared a behind-the-scenes post with more details about the shoot so you can see how a national magazine captures those glossy shots and what happens off-camera.