I'm 40 now, but when I was 31 and newly married, I became a widow. I sometimes worry about "oversharing" this part of my life. And then ultimately, I'll realize that this part of my life is woven into every part of who I am now, and that especially includes my business: 2nd Story Interiors. So why the name 2nd Story? Well, I'm living out my 2nd story. Nine years ago, I lost my husband, Patrick. He was a firefighter and died in the line of duty in a house fire. From that moment on, my life would forever be split into a "before" and "after." Things would never be the same. I would never be the same.
The fire Patrick died in was an arson fire. After a public trial, two men would be found guilty, ultimately responsible for my husband's death. I share this part of the story because of what comes next. Following the verdict, one of Patrick's co workers approached me outside the court room. He said something like this, "Those two men, they won't get to really live their lives. Patrick doesn't get to live his life. But you? You get to. So spend your life really living." This hit me like a ton of bricks. It forced to to evaluate how I wanted to live my life. The cliches about how short life is, how you only live once? I felt them to my core. Of course, it's much easier said than done to start truly living your life. And, I was re-evaluating.
Over the next two years following that moment, I created a 2nd story for myself. In this story-turned-reality, I became the brand new owner of an interior decorating business. I was living in a new home with my new husband. I even found out I was pregnant the day before I got my business pictures done. My life looked completely different. I think for me, it had to. The hardest part was leaving the home that Patrick and I bought together. I adored that house. And--it wasn't the same without the person I wanted to share it with most. This house was an important part of my story, though, so let me back up just a little.
Patrick and I bought this 100 year old farmhouse with the goal of doing a lot of cosmetic fixing up. We spent the first few years doing little improvements as we could along the way. I enjoyed creating new spaces throughout the house. When Patrick died? I went all out. I put all my energy (and grief) into fixing up the house. With a lot of help from firefighters all over Cincinnati plus some friends, too, we transformed a lot of spaces in the house that needed attention. It was cathartic.
I've always decorated in each place that I've lived, but I would later learn that this hyper focus on remodeling and redecorating is a common experience and theme among widows. In the book Confessions of a Mediocre Widow, Catherine Tidd describes going through the same thing. It's what propelled me to want to do this work and have my own decorating business.
In thinking about my business name, not only was I living out my 2nd story, but I'd be giving homes and spaces a 2nd story, too. I feel like that's the beauty of it. Creating new life through tragedy. Transforming the old into the new. Telling your story through your home. In your home. Making it you. Redefining who you are.
I've gotten to watch so many of my clients create a 2nd story for not only their homes, but themselves.
Divorce.
New home.
New home + new city after a big move.
New business adventures.
Being widowed.
Living alone.
Starting over. Embracing who they are and letting their homes reflect that. There are so many reasons why people need a 2nd story and I'm so grateful I get to witness that in my business. It's why I named it 2nd Story Interiors and why what I do is so meaningful. It's not just about pretty spaces. It's about the transformation. It's about taking risks, going bolder. Truly living your life. Chasing the beauty and joy in life, starting with your home.
Next up: a before + after post from my farmhouse. Stay tuned.
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