Looking Back at Our Journey

How The Tree Guy's Girlfriend(TM) Began It all started with a delayed flight and a birthday cake. I was flying back to Cleveland for my best friend Angela's 50th birthday. I'd spent real effort on that cake-I was in charge of it-and there was no way I was missing the party. But fate had other plans. After six hours of sitting masked-up on the runway at LaGuardia, the flight was finally canceled. I grabbed my bag, hopped into a car, and drove all the way from New York to Cleveland. I made it. The cake was fantastic. The party was even better. But what I didn't know was that the real story was just getting started. About a week later, a bunch of us were out at a local bar to hear a favorite band. It was one of those perfect summer nights, and we were all planning to head back to my house to swim. Right before we left, Angela leaned over and said, 'My brother wants to know if you're still out there looking...' Let's be clear-I wasn't looking. Did I want to have fun? Absolutely. But this? This wasn't in the plan. And then I met him. Handsome. Warm soul. Great vibe. I may have been a bit tipsy, but I know a good energy when I feel it. I invited him to come swimming with the rest of us, and he did. At one point, we were walking through the house and trying on hats, laughing in the mirror like we'd known each other forever. He went home that night, but he called the next day just to check in. Sweet, simple. We started texting. And then-boom-I got sick. COVID. Now, listen: yes, we kissed that first night. So I called him, gave a little small talk, then said, 'I tested positive, and you probably have it too.' His response? 'That's OK. Could be worse. What are you eating for dinner?' That man brought me Guido's pizza that night-and every night while I was sick. And just like that, it started. By August, we'll be three years in. We've traveled. We've laughed. And we've combined our talents to pour his excellence-and my eye for beauty-into the world. Somewhere along the way, I jokingly started calling myself The Tree Guy's Girlfriend. I made a TikTok. I started filming, editing, curating the things I love. I felt useful in an industry I'd never step foot on site for (and don't worry-I leave that to the big strong guys). But something about it stuck. Something about the name. The vibe. The style. It became a space for me to create. And it grew. Now, I'm building a brand around it-with stories, style, substance, and a lot of soul. You never know how far you can go until you try. XO, The Tree Guy's Girlfriend(TM)