Remember how we stopped at this place in Maryland on our way to our Labor Day beach weekend?
And remember how we spotted these cool sign letters there that were made even cooler when we learned that they were meant for a Dollar Tree store and were selling for $20 each? I was obsessed with them and almost took home an E, R, or A, just because (sadly there’s no P, J, S, C or B in Dollar Tree).
Well, I finally got me one. Let’s give a lukewarm welcome to letter L.
Why L? Well… give that L a little 180 degree spin and whaddya get? Our favorite number AND a happy John (our first kiss: 7/7/05, our wedding date: 7/7/07 – even Clara was born on the 14th, which we affectionately call 7+7).
Maybe it makes me a little too happy, actually. Avert your eyes Sherry.
What? Nothing weird going on here. Just a man snuggling a giant number 7. It’s completely platonic, I swear.
So here’s the deal. Since I kept talking about how much I regretted not getting that L, Sherry had been brainstorming a way to surprise me with it (we didn’t realize its 7-like appearance ’til we were back home looking at road trip pictures). Her maniacal planning came to an abrupt conclusion when Lesley read the initial post about it where Sherry mentioned that we regretted not getting one and contacted Sherry to act as a secret courier to help with the surprise. Apparently she lives right near the Ole Sale Barn in Denton, Maryland and her mom lives in Richmond so she frequently makes trips between the two spots. Perfect!
Sherry had planned to surprise me for my birthday next week, but Lesley made a trip earlier than expected so after a quick meet-up-in-a-parking-lot and a cash-for-giant-letter swap, the 7 was mine ours. I was actually really surprised. And more than a little in love (both with the wife for her sweet surprise and with my giant number seven itself). It’s already keeping me us company in the office (still need to figure out what to hang next to it, get a real side table and lamp for that corner, etc).
We thought about hanging it on the other wall behind the chair but we both decided we liked walking into the room and seeing it “smiling” back at us, face first (instead of seeing the side of it most of the time, which would be the view if it was hung on the other wall behind the chair).
Oh, if you’re wondering how it’s hung – it was pretty easy. The letter was still wired with lighting, but we’re not planning to get all Novogratz up in here by actually using it as a light (at least not anytime soon due to the cost of wiring the wall). So I carefully disconnected the two giant nubs on the back that would’ve required it sit out from the wall about an inch and stuffed the wires into the 7 for possible future use (we can fish them out with a coat hanger if need be).
Once those big metal things were removed, I was left with two holes – plus some others at the top – that were perfect for hanging it. I just put a couple of anchors and screws into the wall where I wanted ’em, and hung the 7 in place.
A big thanks again to Lesley and taking the time to deliver it us (and for temporarily forking over the $25 to pay for it). Yup, the guy raised the price by $5 since Labor Day. Oh well, still totally worth it.
Psst-We’re over on BabyCenter sharing one of the most creative kids’ birthday parties we’ve ever seen. Seriously, it’s so imaginative and fun.
Psssst- We’ll be back with a kitchen update this afternoon. No dust flying yet, but very very soon…
Marcy says
All these L/7 references keep making me think of L/7 = square. I think these days it’s hip to be square…
Sammie Jo says
OMG. Yarn it. <3
Heidi P. says
SO COOL!!! What an awesome surprise!
One question: Are you planning any diy changes to it to add more color? Or are you going to keep it white? (That’s not a suggestive, I-think-you-should-change-it question, ’cause I like the white. Just wondering since you often take something from its original state and change it. Which I guess you already have by making it a seven…)
ANYway, just curious.
YoungHouseLove says
I think for now we’re happy to keep it as-is and add some color by hanging something on the other wall behind the chair to balance things out.
xo,
s
Regan @ RenovatingRothenbergers says
So sweet!!
Robin O says
I absolutely love the 7. Maybe my favorite thing in your house! :)
Laura says
Someone may have already mentioned this but…the ‘E’, ‘A’, and ‘T’ might look cool somewhere in the new kitchen! I dunno, though, those letters look pretty big so it might not work. Just a thought! Love the special seven in the office!!!
~Laura
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah that’s true! The guy said he wasn’t selling an A, R, and a T to sell them as a set that says ART.
xo,
s
Hilary says
Aww that was so sweet of your reader to get it. Looks great!
Aron says
That looks REALLY good on the wall.
Angela says
Love it! I see a 7 much more than the L. It’s angle is more numeric to my eyes. Anyhoo…I wanted to suggest if you did want it to light up/glow you could stuff it with a string of battery operated LED’s (xmas light style) or even a couple of battery tealights, then you wouldn’t have the wiring issue & you could have it lit or not = whatever!!
Cassie says
Greetings from Australia!!
I have serious 7 envy…. I can beat your 7+7 baby, we were married on the 7th of December, and have had 2 kids, both born on the 7th as well. Natural birth, not helped to arrive on that date. So 7 is definitely our favourite number around here!
When we move in a few weeks, I’m going to have to go hunting for a nice big 7 for our study/office as well!!
Heather S says
Awesome!!! How cool is that a reader was able to make that happen! :) I’m so glad that it all worked out. That 7 needed a home right there in your office – it was meant to be! :)
I love how you two are always so thoughtful & really plan out amazing gifts for each other! :)
Vanessa says
There is a funny Hoosier Lottery commercial that always plays during prime time here in Indiana. It’s for their Triple Winning 7’s scratch off. I think you’d enjoy it: http://youtu.be/ruaEkHzXY38 :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- too funny.
xo,
s
Bea says
I’m afraid I’ll have to quote a certain telephone company, but this era is really all about ‘connecting people’ indeed!
I’m sure the seller raised the price because he’s reading your blog too!!!
good luck with the kitchen!
Teresa says
hey John, I was just over at Bower Power’s post on her closet, and I had a thought… maybe since Sherry arranged this awesome surprise of a seven for you… that maybe you could arrange a “7 bras for my leading lady” surprise for her.. like to give her some choices in the morning – just sayin ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Somehow that strikes me as hilarious (picking out bras for Sherry = my idea of a nightmare). And it might be her idea of a nightmare to have to wear 7 bras I pick out. But I do love her…
-John
Jessica Ballard says
Am I the only person that is thinking about the Friends episode and the significance of the “7” LOL Looks great, great surprise!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that episode is hilarious.
xo,
s
Ana Silva says
Wow, I am loving the big number like that on the wall. I am going to have to copy you guys, hehe. BTW, that was super sweet and thoughtful of you Sherry!
Edith says
Now they just finished building a brand new Dollar Tree near me and I did not see any extra letters! So, unfair! But I’m glad you got your “7”, oops I mean “L.” It looks great in your home office.
Jenna says
Oo, I love it! Reminds me of the Novogratz’ and all their light boxing ways.. the perfect funky touch!
Jessica Smith says
Hi! A friend told us about your blog, it’s awesome! and recently someone mentioned this #7 story to us and i wanted to leave a little reply. I worked for a sign company and soon realized that all the letters they would recycle could easily be upcycled into something cooler! check out out esty page to see what we are working on, i might even have a couple of 7’s in my garage :D
http://www.etsy.com/shop/alpou
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! I love it!
xo
s