We’re gonna do this.

I am not engaged.

John is not moving in with us.

And, I am not pregnant.

I hope that’s not incredibly disappointing. The last time I had big news, a few of you thought it was – so, so – not really worthy of such “teasing.” So here’s a snippet regarding the above — be patient because John Bear and I are definitely, absolutely and positively moving in that direction. We’re just taking our sweet time for a few reasons – the biggest being that there is no need to rush something that is meant to last a lifetime. Anti-climatic, I know. (But see #3 on the list down below for another teaser on that subject.)

Now… the news this time around.

Last spring, I left my very secure and stable day job as an ad agency’s senior interactive copywriter to break out on my own as a full-time blogger and a part-time freelancer. But it wasn’t easy – at all. I was working from home, with Benjamin in it and I had a lack of direction. When an appealing job offer landed in my lap, I bailed on the solo blogger plan and jumped at the chance for stability and certainty.

Less than one month into my new job I started feeling pangs of regret for a number of reasons. The one most disturbing was a heavy, undeniable gut feeling that I had given up too soon. The job was fine but the hours were grueling, the skill set (medical writing) was out of my realm and I was only partially focused on doing what I love – social and search marketing.

At home, John – who also lives and breathes all things interactive- and I started discussing what options we had. Working for other agencies seemed fruitless because it wasn’t our employers who were to blame for our restlessness, it was our own impatience and eagerness to do what we love – 100% of the time.

“We just have to be patient,” I told him. “The answers will surface.”

And soon after they did.

I opened an e-mail from a potential client. Their budget had cleared and they wanted to work with Cement Marketing, my freelance marketing group. Less than a week earlier John’s agency had “down-sized” his department and eliminated his position. All signs pointed toward go and so I did what every single mom shouldn’t do and I quit my job (again). I gave my employers (some really awesome guys) the resume of a friend of mine and a more than adequate replacement and then dove right into Cement Marketing.

This time, I would do a few things differently. I would need an office space, outside of my apartment and I would need to become a we. My long-time partner and best of friends, Bradley Spencer was down and now all we needed was John.

“We couldn’t work together,” he’d say.

“Why not?” I’d ask.

“I don’t know, it would just be weird.”

“Okay. Well, that’s that.” Unlike my usual self – I didn’t push him in one direction or the other, even though I thought it would be awesome. And after all, if you can’t work together – can you really raise children together? A relationship is a partnership in every sense of the word. Why not learn even more about each other and master our communication before another child or another wedding comes along?

We haven’t looked back since and in just the past 24 hours I have registered Cement Marketing as a business, started the official trademark process through my awesome and very official lawyers (we are hoping some Cement company won’t stand in our way) and today Brad, John and I found our office space.

The fated and absolutely perfect office – is directly above Wild Goose Creative – a performing arts studio, gallery and special events space.

Right now it looks like this….

Typically this wouldn’t be an issue. I would take my time setting it up but right now it’s Sunday night, going on Monday morning and our first client meeting is at 9:00 am on Tuesday morning. Pushing the meeting off is out of the question because we’re all way too excited and the project needs to kick off. And why have it somewhere else when this place can look up to snuff and absolutely fabulous by then? [And just wait until I tell you about my client. There couldn't be a more worthy or exciting non-profit. Destiny, I tell you - this entire thing.]

Tonight as I was clicking to confirm a reservation for a rental van to haul home all of the furniture we buy at Ikea tomorrow, I told John through the phone, “This should feel completely crazy, but it doesn’t. Do you feel like this is crazy?”

“No, I don’t. It actually feels really damn good.”

“I know. I’ll call you in the morning and we’ll go pick up the van.”

“Okay, Baby,” and then he added – the words practically jumping out of his mouth, “We’re gonna do this!”

Yeah, I think we are.

So, without further ado… I am proud to announce a few things:

1.  Cement Marketing. A full-service Web development firm with a focus on highly engaging social media content and search engine optimization. We operate out of Columbus, Ohio but can service any client, in any industry, the world over. Read more about Cement Marketing and our social and search marketing strategies. [P.S. Keep tabs on our blog and our Twitter because we'll be constantly buzzing. Between John, Brad and I things are going to be insanely fun and productive. Should be interesting.]

2. Sway Interactive Workshop. Coming soon… the Sway Interactive Workshop is a truly interactive, hands-on learning experience. The two-day workshops focusing on search and social marketing will be held this Spring. Attendees will receive one-on-one inspiration, instruction and training from myself, Advergirl (the amazing Leigh Householder), John Raymond and Bradley Spencer to develop and create every element they’ll need to launch their own search or social marketing campaign. More on this later.

3. (New) New Leaf Necklaces. You didn’t think I’d forget about you, did you? So John and I were at a jewelers last week. For no reason. Really. No reason at all. Nope. We were just in a jewelers. Totally normal place for a couple to hang out. Any whooooo… I had my new leaf necklace on and I asked him if they could do some magic and re-create it in pure sterling silver for me. And – guess what – they totally can. And guess what else? I am also going to have him make a new leaf charm bracelet. So, if you have more than one child you could buy extra leaf charms. (I owe the credit for the charm bracelet idea to @Jen_K_ my single mama sista and creative partner in crime. See her vision and work here.).

So how about all of them apples? Huh?

Did I disappoint again?

God, I hope not. I’m not sure if I can make up anything more exciting than this. Oh, and I will have oodles of photos. tweets, videos and Facebook updates as we make over this office space.

Stay tuned…

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