The Day The Huffington Post Came Knocking

Have you ever done something in life that felt so unreal that you just knew you were a guest on the show punk'd? Well that's exactly how I felt when I got an email from the Huffington post.

Let's back up a little...

I am NOT a "writer". I didn't go to school for writing and I certainly didn't take notes through my composition classes like I should have done. I am sure that there are some of you who cringe when reading my pieces because of grammar. To be honest, and I'm sure you can tell- when I write I don't stop to look over things. It just all comes tumbling out of my finger tips and I can usually barely keep up with what's flowing through my mind. I never have an agenda in mind or an outline. I simply sit down and spill the beans.

Ok so back to my punk'd story. One weekend my mother, who is a little partial of my writing, told me I should send some of my posts in to different magazines. I thought it over and thought it wouldn't hurt. If for some reason it was seen by someone maybe it could help bring awareness to a disease that most have never heard of... Tuberous Sclerosis. I had nothing to lose.

So later that night I decided to send out my blog through twitter to different magazines. Before shutting down for the night I sent it to the Huffington post. What's very ironic about this is the fact a few weeks prior I had mentioned to Chris that one of my bucket list items would be to one day be published my the HP. I told him that it would take years, if it even ever happened, so if I could do it by age 50ish I'd be thrilled. Being on the Huffington Post in me eyes was a feat that would take some time and for sure some writing classes for my poor grammar... 

So a few days later thinking nothing about my pointless attempt, I checked my account and found an unread email from someone from the Huffington Post Parents. My heart skipped a beat as I clicked on it, and my mind slowly read these words, "We are interested in the piece below. Will you please send us your head shot and bio."

I slowly got off of the couch and started screaming to my parents, trying to relay the email to them. My mom didn't know what to think and my dad sat in his recliner with a big grin that didn't need any words. I knew he was just as excited as I was.  

After dancing around like the crazy woman I am, my head fell quickly from that cloud 9 that I was jumping on...and back to the words of this email.

Ummmm what did she say she needed? A head shot... A bio? Thank goodness they couldn't see through the screen of my iPad. I am quite certain they would have revoked their offer quickly had then seen me sitting in my yoga pants that had crumbs, stains, and who knows what from tiny little toddler hands. My hair was slicked backed in a messy bun, and I'm pretty sure my shirt may have been inside out...not on purpose.

I started to fret. 

What's my bio? Who am I?!?! And a head shot? I don't have a head shot. I frantically went to Facebook to see if I could come up with something that remotely looked like a head shot. Something that looked semi-professional. That's not easy when you are a crazy mom like me who posts millions of photos of your daughter.

I then sat down and started to scribble down my bio. One would think this wouldn't be hard. I mean who knows me better than me? Will this wasn't the case for me. Finally, after talking it over with my mom we went with the basics. I am a wife. I am a mom. I am an advocate for tuberous sclerosis. Of course we added a few things in there to make it a little more glamorous, but it was complete!

I then replied back to her email and waited and waited and waited. The longest two days of my life. I was waiting to get an email back from her stating that once I authorized a payment of 29.99 my post would be published. I was preparing myself for the let down. I really was just waiting for the cameras to roll out and say, "Haha!! We got ya!" Several times at night I thought what if it's a scam and my email is being hacked? 

I went through every reason why I wasn't good or worthy enough to be published by ANYONE.

Then Thursday morning at 10:09 (I'll never forget that email) I was told that it had been published and where to find it. At that point that was the highlight. I couldn't believe that I was a published writer/blogger. It just didn't seem real. I was so happy but had no clue what was about to come from all of it.

As the article gained some interest throughout the day I had people reaching out saying that I took the words right out of their mouths and that they felt like I was writing this for them. I had some telling me how they were just starting this journey and the article gave them hope. I had friends and family sharing the article and were celebrating with me. 

Within those moments I realized that I was not alone in these feelings. God had taken a letter that I had written to myself and had used it to reach others who were hurting or had hurt like this before. He also had given me a huge platform to bring awareness to tuberous sclerosis. That in itself was amazing! But it didn't end there. He gave me a way to relay that there is hope within our situations. We may not see them in the midst of our trials. But there is always a sliver of hope to grab onto. 

I am thankful that through the past year, we have been surrounded by many of you who have prayed and reminded me of the Hope we have in God. We have had so many pray for us and have given us shoulders to cry on, but then would quickly remind us of the mighty God we serve. I am so glad that He allowed my scrambled writings to reach others.

It has been such a blessing to hear other families stories of hope and strength. I feel very humbled to have had this opportunity. People like me don't just land on the front page of The HuffPost-Parents.

I absolutely give all the Glory to God! 

If you haven't had a chance to read it, please go check it out here.


Thank you all so much for all the sweet words and for joining me in celebrating! Also, if it weren't for you all sharing the articles with friends and family, it wouldn't have gained so much interest. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!

Love always,
Heather