Private.

After much consideration, some serious conversations, many deep soothing breaths, and about nine different openings to this blog post, I have come to a decision: within the coming days, this blog will become a private one.

For as long as I've been blogging, I've made it a point to keep this blog public and searchable - I use our real names, am clear about what Preston and I do for a living, and do not hide the fact that I live in Bryn Mawr. I have made it a point to be honest and open about my struggles with depression and miscarriage, my graduate school experience, and, of course, our ever-deepening love affair with our dogs. Naturally I have not told the internet everything (I promise - even I have a filter), but...I've told the internet a lot.

And y'all, I have absolutely loved it. I have loved the people I've met through this blog, the relationships I've built, and the support I have received (both in the good times and the bad). I love that I have a written record of the last two and a half years. I love that I have my own corner of the internet, and that my friends (whether they are old or new) always know where they can find me.

Although some of you lovely people have been generous enough to let me know that you are reading, I certainly don't know everyone who reads this blog. And that has always been perfectly fine with me - I know how much I enjoy being an anonymous lurker at others' blogs, and I have always wanted to keep this space an open one. Now that I am teaching, however, I am no longer ok with this blog being an open space.

Let me elaborate: for the last few years, Preston's students have been reading this blog. This has always made me a bit uncomfortable, but not uncomfortable enough to change anything. As of last week, however, I started a new job at Preston's school. Meaning that his students are now my students. Meaning that, professionally, I can no longer keep this blog public. I could censor myself and start writing about nothing except recipes and flower arrangements, but I have no interest in keeping that sort of blog, and I suspect that you have no interest in reading it (also, this is how I arrange flowers: I buy the cheapest ones possible from Trader Joe's, trim the ends, and plop them into a vase.  Fancy!).

So. At some point this week, I will be making this blog open to invited readers only. That said, I would love for you (yes, YOU!) to be one of those invited readers. I am always always always flattered when people tell me that they read my blog, and I promise, even if you have been reading for years and have never made your presence known, I would so much rather you join me in my new private world than not.

If you'd like to keep reading (and duh, I totally want you to keep reading!), please send me your email address at maryfranceswrites (at) gmail (dot) com as soon as possible, and you will have full access to all the exciting developments that I document on this blog (and, as some of you know, we're hoping that 2011 will be our most exciting year yet!). If you are one of Preston's former students (i.e. you have graduated from Baldwin), you are welcome to read along as well; if you have not, however, graduated from Baldwin, I can't give you access (sorry!).

Thank you so much for being part of my life, internet. You have enriched my life, and been an invaluable source of love and support over the last few years. Thank you for being here, and mostly, thank you for reading. It means more than I can say.

(Now what are you waiting for?!  EMAIL ME!)