My name is Jessica Hosch, and about a month and a half ago, I won your 12 Days of Giveaways Watch and Win Contest. I'm sorry I did not write sooner, life has been such a whirlwind recently! But my mama raised me right, and I can write a mean thank you letter! And so *ehem*...
Thank you, of course for all the lovely, amazing, mind-blowing gifts and prizes. We are enjoying them immensely. Landon in particular loves the Ryobi power tools. Kidding! We don't allow our two-year-old to play with anything so dangerous. Without passive supervision, that is.
Thank you (and your insanely wonderful crew) for the overwhelming hospitality. Maybe you knew, and maybe you didn't, but I was about 8 weeks pregnant at the time I flew out to LA. (I am now 14 weeks, and feeling great!) So, in our dressing room before the show (oh, yes, thank you for a dressing room! HOW SWEET WAS THAT?!) some sweet angel laid out snacks and brought me a sandwich at the slightest whisper of nausea. I felt so special!
Now, I feel like I hugged you roughly between 10 and 100 times. I know you have a bad back, so I apologize if I hurt you. I was worried I would hear you had called out the next day because of me. Thank you for allowing me to release some of my shock via compulsive embraces.
To be fair, I could have refrained more, but Ellen, you smelled fabulous.
Which reminds me-
I take a break from thanking you now to lodge a few complaints.
After hearing about my interaction with your staff and crew, it should not shock you to hear that really, they are too nice. I mean, in our dressing room before the taping, some bubbly ray of sunshine had the audacity to burst through the door. She then entertained us for approximately 15 minutes with jumping, screaming, and general excitement building activities that led me to believe I could run a marathon on demand.
Our accommodations while in LA were altogether too convenient. Our drivers were much too courteous, the hotel too comfortable, and the fact that Universal Studios was 5 minutes away? What are you trying to prove?
To top off everything, the entire experience was one surprise to another. From the time your show reached out to me, to the moment you said my name, I had no idea I had won anything. I mean, it was like some kind of exaggerated adventure. Were you trying to overwhelm me with fun and luxury? Because you succeeded.
I mean, the only thing that could possibly have been left out, is that I was not offered a job working directly with you when all was said and done. Perhaps there were no openings at the time we met. Well, I have really just done you a favor, because now you know exactly who to call as your next BFFNFF (Best Former Fan, Now Forever Friend) in residence.
Haha, only kidding.
(Not really)
But I totally am.
(not)
Also, I am now ridiculously famous. All of my family and friends recognize me at least twice as well as they did before, and I have been forced to mention to no less than FOUR different store clerks that I was on your show. Ugh, such a hassle.
I can't go anywhere without pretending everyone is noticing me. How do you cope?
I actually had to cut my hair to avoid all this attention. It did nothing, as it only emphasizes how solid our friendship is. I haven't had to avoid any paparazzi yet, but that's because they are hiding really well, I'm sure.
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But I've almost forgotten! I still have a few more things to thank you for!
Thank you for the peace of mind you have given us. Many of the gift cards have been put towards food and clothes long needed. In fact, we haven't had to buy our own groceries since the show. That's a huge deal for us, since it has enabled us to save our own money that would otherwise be long gone. We hope to have saved enough for a family vehicle by the end of this year, and it is really thanks to you.
You've given us courage to live louder. To pursue happiness every day, and spread it with as many as we can. It has been such a wonderful transition in our home, and I can't help but sit down every night and marvel at how blessed this experience has proven we are.
Just meeting you, alone, was a lifelong dream of mine. It was fantastic, and I sincerely hope our paths cross again.
But in case they don't, you must know how much you've done for us.
Thank you for this incredible memory that I will carry with me forever. As younger parents, we work exhaustively to ensure a bright future for our kids. When that is the path you are on (for however long), you start to pray for the day you'll catch some kind of a break. It has been a great validation to us of human kindness.
Thank you Ellen,
Jessica, Josh, and Landon.
