Mike has a strict “we don’t post photos of ourselves to the public” rule. Which I respect one hundred percent

I go over the showroom kitchen layout in front of me. It looks great, I just need to ensure I’m maximizing the space. Maximize the sp— jerk. Wow, I almost fell asleep there.

I’m scared to look over at Shira, but I take a quick peek, and she’s busy with mudroom designs for the Lowens. I’m exhausted. No one said shanah rishonah was so tiring! Isn’t it supposed to be relaxing? Dinners out, spontaneous vacations, lazy Shabbos afternoon walks?

I look at my plans again. Lighting. I need to rethink lighting. Every designer has used the hanging lantern look since 2020, and as much as I love it, I need something new, something fresh. Jerk. Ohmygosh, I need sleep. Or at least a break.

Setting the timer on my phone to five minutes, I head to my seminary chat for some mindless distraction. It’s cute, Rivki Cohen just had twins, kids five and six, and everyone’s panicking. But I’m more interested in statuses… I scroll through photos. Florida, Florida, Israel, Florida, skiing, restaurant, American Dream candy store, more American Dream candy store. And almost every single one is a photo of a former classmate with her husband, smiling happily. Kids are usually the next slide, in adorable matching clothes, with perfect poses.

Mike has a strict “we don’t post photos of ourselves to the public” rule. Which I respect one hundred percent. But I waited a really long time to join the party, and we have really stunning pictures from Florida, sunsets and beaches and food, all #nofilter. Oh, well. I wouldn’t have it any other way, I guess.

My timer beeps, and I shut it quickly, straightening my shoulders. Back to work. I chug down half of my lukewarm coffee, and it’s back to examining my plans. I’m obsessing over the details, but that’s where it all lies.