Dear Richmondmom.com family,
A little over three years ago, we were new here in Richmond. I stumbled across Richmondmom.com and became hooked on the Facebook page and the newsletter, especially the Real Richmond Parents articles. Soon I got the guts to submit an article myself and heard back very quickly from Kate Hall, who accepted it! After I submitted several more, she asked me to become a regular contributor!
Two years and 50 (yes, 50!) articles later, I find myself feeling very grateful for this opportunity and honored to be part of the Richmondmom.com family. I truly appreciate everything that Richmondmom.com has offered to me.
I have always loved to write but never took the path of being a “writer”. Richmondmom.com has given me the opportunity to join two of the things I love most in life: writing and being a mom. I can’t believe I get to share my perspectives on life, motherhood, and parenting through this website! It has been an invaluable outlet. It has brought me personal fulfillment in a way that my “day job” cannot. Though I have to set aside time to work on the articles, it never feels like work. Thank you, Richmondmom.com, for letting me add “writer” to my list of experiences.
Like most other moms, my life is spent mostly focused on fulfilling the needs of others. I spend a lot of time as mom, wife, daughter and co-worker. Rarely do I get to do something that I enjoy and am appreciated for in my own right. On Richmondmom.com, I get to be, and am allowed to be, just me. It’s just my name on the by-line, and I am never made to feel pressured to write about a certain topic, nor have any of my articles ever been rejected or censored. Thank you, Richmondmom.com, for allowing me to use my own unfiltered voice.
Contributing to Richmondmom.com has also connected me to a wider community of awesome moms (and dads and grandparents too!). I write alongside some very talented people whom I wish I had more time to get to know in real life. I love the helpful, supportive and often funny interactions on the Richmondmom.com junkies Facebook page! Our readers (and advertisers) rock! I love how the articles generate discussions on the site. Thank you, Richmondmom.com for being part of my village!
I find myself tonight, reflecting on the past two years as part of this journey, just wanting to say thank you.
Thank you, Kate Hall for your vision for this site, and for creating the spirit of openness, inclusion, generosity and sharing. You rock and we miss you.
Thank you Brian and Christa, who are carrying on Kate’s vision with their own very savvy spin.
Thank you to all the Richmondmom.com writers and staff for all your hard work you put into writing, marketing, community building and all the other magic that happens. Because of you, this website is wayyyy more than just a website.
Richmondmom.com is a community. It is a force for good. It is a place I hope to still be part of, and writing for, for the next two years.
With utmost sincerity and appreciation,
Mary Beth
About Mary Beth Cox