Happy Friday! A few quick updates to start:
- Ordering our book: If you see a “sold out” or “1–2 month wait” message on sites like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, don’t worry. Thousands of copies are on trucks headed to warehouses and will be entered into retailer systems in the coming days. Check back soon—your order should be available and arrive before Christmas.
- Events this weekend: Tomorrow we’ll be in Washington, DC for pre-ticketed Living Social events at 918 F Street. If you’ve reserved a spot, we can’t wait to meet you. On Sunday we’ll be in Richmond for a free signing at Mongrel in Carytown at 1pm.
- Seriously, you made us laugh: The comments from our recent post were priceless—thank you for the entertainment and the stories.
It’s been two weeks since our last tour update, so here’s a longer recap. We’ve finally caught our breath after the busiest stretch of the book tour so far—11 days of travel that included six cities, two countries, ten flights, and six nights away from Clara and Burger. We left them in the care of my parents so they’d be comfortable, and we survived on cookies from local bakeries at each West Elm event.
Our previous recap ended in Toronto. From there we flew to Minneapolis. We didn’t have much time to sightsee, but the turnout at the event made the visit worthwhile. The West Elm staff were fantastic, and everyone who came to meet us was kind, patient, and fun. We even met readers whose rooms we’ve featured on the blog, which is always a treat—putting a face to a room is one of the best parts of this whole experience.
As at other West Elm events, we collected memorable moments and stories. One highlight was meeting Amy and Ashley, who brought cupcakes and convinced Sherry to sing “Happy Birthday”—which led to a hilariously awkward mix-up with names. Another memorable inscription involved an unusual request that resulted in me writing a cheeky line in someone’s book; the full story is better told by the person who requested it, but it wasn’t as gross as it sounds and was all in good fun.
West Elm Minneapolis arranged for us to sign the leg of a parson’s table that they auctioned off; the sale raised $170 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It felt meaningful to be part of something that generous, and we were grateful to the Minneapolis Elmers for thinking of it.
After Minneapolis we flew to Houston. Again, time to explore was limited, but we managed to grab Tex‑Mex before the event and celebrated my 31st birthday in a way I won’t soon forget—readers kindly surprised me with a cake and candles. Trick candles made the moment even more entertaining, and a nearby reader captured the attempt to blow them out on video.
The Houston crowd brought plenty of personality and humor. One couple tried out the “Sketch Each Other” idea from our book with delightfully weird results. We also received incredibly thoughtful handmade gifts: Kiki painted two small canvases with matching cow designs that are now hanging in Clara’s room. Moments like these—when readers create something for our family—mean a lot to us.
Our final stop that week was Dallas. We stayed at a lovely Omni hotel downtown with some over-the-top amenities that we’ll tell you about in a separate post. We made time for a Skype call with Clara, which was a highlight amid the busy schedule. She proudly presented me with my birthday balloon over the video call, and that little connection made the trip feel less far from home.
While in Dallas we wandered the West End, enjoyed more Tex‑Mex, and even tried a quirky “Guide to Romance” machine in a cowboy boot shop that claimed to determine compatibility. It was all in good fun and felt very much like the spirit of a road trip: small, unexpected adventures between events.
The Dallas West Elm event was one of our longest; we signed books for several hours and met dozens of readers. We signed some unusual items along the way—from ceramic animals to a young fan’s Harry Potter book—and even signed a baby’s onesie when a mom asked Sherry to personalize it. We were humbled by the thoughtfulness and creativity people brought to the events.
By the end of that week we were exhausted but grateful. We flew home to Richmond late Saturday night and spent the next day enjoying time with our daughter and dog. In the first month since the book launched, we’ve raised over $1,200 for charity through West Elm events and a local auction in Richmond. Thank you—this wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity.
Big thanks to everyone who helped make these tour stops so special: the event hosts, the West Elm teams, the many taxi drivers who ferried us around, and of course the readers who came out, brought thoughtful gifts, and shared laughs. This tour has been a whirlwind—tiring at times, but overwhelmingly rewarding. We’ve loved meeting so many kind and hilarious people. And just so you know for future events: we’ll sign your book, your baby’s onesie, a ceramic animal, or even jot a cheeky line if you ask. Thanks for making this tour unforgettable.