This Is All Shonda Rhimes' Fault.

Dear Shonda Rhimes,

Hi. Girl. Can we talk? Because this is all your fault. All of it.

Let's back up. First, thanks for being rad as shit and creating amazing TV, speaking your truth and giving light to others. For real. But this is where the problem starts. I listened to your book on audible last fall when I had an hour commute each direction. It was amazing. I highly recommend that everybody listen to it. It was like having a freaking amazing girls' lunch where your friend spills the details. I loved your speeches that were excerpted in the book. And, duh, obviously, your message is amazing. Self-care, ownership of your power and saying YES to yourself and your life is all around amazing. It really is.

My mom loves your shows, specifically Grey's Anatomy and so I thought she would enjoy your book. Each year for Christmas, my mom and dad drive from Miami, FL to Elverson, PA to spend the holidays with us but mostly my son, Zachary. My dad likes to drive and my likes to read, so I figured she would read your book, enjoy it and be grateful that she has such an amazing daughter who buys her wonderful books.

Yeah. EXCEPT.

My mom took all your bad ass advice, internalized it, looked at her life and decided that she was gonna start saying yes. YES.

I got a phone call a week after they left for home. "Stephanie, you have to keep a secret." Oh shit, you guys, I am TERRIBLE at keeping secrets. "I just applied for my Pennsylvania teaching license."

Uh....What?! 

A few weeks later, "Stephanie, I applied for a teaching position near you."

Uh....

That is when, on an untypically warm January afternoon, we walked past a house on our street with a for sale sign. "Call your mom," Ron said.

Our offer on that house was accepted a few weeks later. 

My mom put her house on the market. She'd call me excitedly, "YEAR OF YES!"

Shonda, girl. You see what you've done? This is all your fault.

Today, at this very moment, my mom and dad are crossing the NC/Virginia state line on I95 North. We closed on their new house. On my street.

Six months ago from this very moment, if you had told me that any of this would happen, I would have laughed so hard, I would have puked. Never. Ever. I would have said.

But you know what happens when you make plans or think you are in charge? God laughs.

And you know what happens when a strong, brilliant woman like my mother takes back her power and says yes to herself? I honestly believe that she could move mountains.

So, her we are. Halfway into my mother's year of YES. Just think what she's gonna do with the other six months!

Thanks, Shonda. For the first time in 14 years, I am going to spend my birthday with my mom and dad. My son is going to live on the street with his two biggest fans. We will FINALLY HAVE FREE BABYSITTING.

That last part is not a big deal or anything.

Lots of love,

SR