val-en-tine Pronunciation [val-uh n-tahyn] –noun

Dear Irish Boyfriend,

I think you are as wonderful as a cool pint of Guinness on a Saturday afternoon, and I want to sing my praises for all of your help in my Trina Left Iowa adventure.  This blog would not be possible without you.  No, seriously it really wouldn’t!

My technology/internet skillz (that’s right, skills with a z) may impress some, but they are nothing compared to yours.  You helped me to commit to a blog name that fateful Sunday (I have some commitment issues…) and patiently walked me through the process of buying a domain name, hosting package, etc.  You explained Wordpress themes to me which again took immense patience.  Once everything was set up, you created logo images, worked with the layout and catered to my diva-like requests.  You took a lot of your free time to tinker with color schemes and fix things I’d broken.  Yet, the whole time we were working on the site you gave me final say and made me feel like it was my own.

Besides the techie pieces, you played a huge role in emotionally supporting me to begin this adventure.  We were team bloggers on Leading Associates which was how I got a taste for blogging and writing freely.  I’d never known that I had writing in me, and you encouraged me to develop this “talent” I had suddenly unearthed.  You telling me that I should create my own blog was the catalyst to this endeavor.  You were the one who made me realize that people may actually read and enjoy what I write. 

Lastly, you inspire me to believe in myself by constantly reminding me to have confidence in my abilities.  Putting your thoughts out there is scary, and it takes a lot of strength to endure extensive criticism on the internet.  Because of you, I’m positive I can handle this adventure whatever direction it goes…

Thank you,

Trina

PS.  It’s always nice to have the luck of the Irish with you (OK—you knew I had to say something slightly racist).

Irish Elixir