Way back in March 2006 when the two of us decided we wanted to build a community for moms that really got to what it means to connect with each other, share what we know, lift each other up and really make a difference - we had a very clear, specific picture in our heads of what that place would be. That was almost three years ago - omg - and the journey to get to this day has most definitely had its ups and downs, diversions, side tracks and crazy experiences. But what also happened along the way is we learned a lot. Emily and I both grew as people and as partners, and -- more than we ever imagined -- we learned what it really takes to build something truly good at its core.  

About a year ago Emily and I were trying to find a way to make our phase one, early version of The Motherhood (which we launched in July 2007) better fit that picture we had in our heads. 

(A shout out sidebar to Becki and Brandie - who you will surely see on the site today - for working so hard to keep the old going and were also really helpful to us with this site.) 

I'm a big believer in the universe lining up, and just when we needed him most, I was told about a brilliant tech guy, here in Pittsburgh, named Nathan Martin.  

Nathan had recently started a small spin off firm from Carnegie Mellon, called Deep Local, and when I reached him by phone and asked if he could help us with a mom site, much to my surprise this young, hip, single, techie, very busy guy sounded genuinely interested.   

After several intense meetings, including a "barnraising" session which resulted in an entire, huge wall covered in Post-it notes with specific needs or ideas for the site written on each one, and a "color" focus group in my basement with a bunch of my friends, the site you are now in started to really come together.

    

The most exciting element of this process has been the creative, perceptive, open, supportive, enthusiastic, and smart ways our team has worked together.  It is what all great projects should be: fun, uplifting, inspiring, with a whole lot of dedication and hard work that feels good and productive at the end of the day.

Nathan, Dave, Stan, Ayca and Dimitry are a team like no other and the gifts they have given all of us are not only their time, talent, impressive brains and creativity, but, more importantly - and I think you can feel it in this site - they love and care for this site with all of their hearts. 

The devotion our team gives to this site results in something that cannot be easily quantified in any way. It is something so unimaginably beautiful that I can only describe it as this: a most treasured dream come true. 

It really is an honor to introduce you all to our new site today. Emily and I are so, deeply proud of it and we hope you come to love it as much as we do. We built this for all of you and are so happy you are here.