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Team Building (And Bonding) With The Best Team Ever…

It’s no secret that one of the most fulfilling parts of my life is leading this crew of incredibly talented, smart, and creative women. I often feel like we are colleagues and friends instead of me being their boss because I love hanging out with them so much (let’s just say there are a lot of HR violations in the way of conversations during photo shoots or retreats). So last year when we were in Mexico we did a thing that for the record was NOT my idea, but when they got all worked up about getting matching tattoos I was three margaritas in and overwhelmed with love for them – I was NOT going to be the one to say “no”. I waited to see if anyone hesitated and everyone really, really wanted to do it. So with the enthusiasm that only comes with inebriation, we found a tattoo parlor in Todo Santos (outside Cabo) and sat down.

Luckily the EHD logo is really simple, so once we showed it to the tattoo artist (who should have been more skeptical about our inebriation level) we figured that even if someone does eventually leave the company, it’s just a simple circle with some lines in the middle that they can add to. Everyone agreed that regardless of what happens in their career this tattoo would represent a time in their lives, a really special era that meant something monumental to them. I couldn’t disagree.

So like the enneagram 7 that I am (enthusiastic! wanting to be popular!) I was THRILLED with this tattoo, knowing that at least I wouldn’t have any regrets because it’s my own logo. Did I worry they would? Not at the time.

Some of us have a lot of tattoos like Gretchen (which I think looks pretty great with hers). Caitlin also has a ton of awesome ones. And while Marlee wasn’t on the team during our Mexico trip, she has a few tattoos already and was really down to get another since we’ve all bonded so quickly. It seems like once you have a few most people are pretty down to get more.

While others (myself) this was my first one and it hurt! Luckily that 4th margarita kicked in just as any last hesitation of “bad judgment” slipped away. Funny how that works. Inebriation = adios inhibition.

It is quite possibly the best feeling in the world knowing that your team loves you so much that they’d tattoo your logo on their bodies, permanently. I received it as such an honor, truly.

When we got home Brian saw these all, was absolutely shocked, laughed a ton, and made fun of me, naturally. But listen, that guy has so many sentimental tattoos each one representing someone he loves. He has the plane his dad flew in Vietnam, the oak tree from his backyard (for his mom), a bear for Charlie, and a bird for Elliot. He claimed that the moon was for me because our song is Dancing in the Moonlight, but it felt like a copout to me.

So after guilting him a teeny tiny bit (“My team loves me so much they got our logo on their bodies, you can’t even get my initials!”), he surprised me with his new ink. And I was FLOOORED. After 25 years together, it felt enormously loving to see this on his shoulder.

So thank you to the best team and husband for doing this life with me. I hope this isn’t our last tattoo together :) I love you all so so so so much. xx

Also…April Fools :)

Fin
43 Comments
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Jill
2 months ago

You totally got me on this one!! ??

kate
2 months ago

oh my god, this got me GOOD. I was so concerned for your poor employees lol

Christina
2 months ago
Reply to  kate

Same lol

KC
2 months ago

I love April Fools day here :) :). ;)

Allison
2 months ago

lol… Thank Goodness this is a joke!! Reading this I was like these people are insane haha

Nina
2 months ago

OMG hahaha I was shocked!

Kimberly
2 months ago

Totally got me and I should have known better as today is my sister)s birthday. Great job.

Crysta P.
2 months ago

Hahahaha! That was a good one. I was thinking the whole team had lost their minds, but also well good for them that they love their job that much. The tattoo on Brian’s shoulder…I was thinking wow that is sweet??? I think???

Vany
2 months ago

The fun is back! Other fun 4/1 posts from previous years:

  • The Launch Of My New Furniture And Rug Collection – BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, Folks
  • The One Feature Jess Is Ripping Out Of Her Apartment… JK APRIL FOOLS (But A Facelift IS Happening)
  • Book 2!!! Help Me Pick The Cover and Title (Plus The Shots That Didn’t Make The Cut)
Vany
2 months ago
Reply to  Vany

Oh, and the team pic in front of the tattoo parlor is photoshopped from this Mexico team retreat post:
Summer Outfit Inspo: Fun, Throw-On-And-Go Outfits On 5 Different Bodies

Katie
2 months ago

Omg. You guys!! Totally believed it. Totally. Right up until the April fools reveal. I cried a little while laughing. Or in relief?

Suzanne
2 months ago

It wasn’t until I got to Brian’s tattoo that I realized what day it is! Hahahahaha!! SO GOOD!

KELLY
2 months ago
Reply to  Suzanne

Same. I was like – whaaaaaaaaa? She actually liked that? HAHA so hilarious.

Linda
2 months ago
Reply to  KELLY

S A M E !! I thought ohhhh no!!!!

Sally
2 months ago

I get taken in every year. Was reading this with growing amazement and wonder at apparent cult-like tendencies.
Totally got me.

jennifer
2 months ago

which part is the April fool- the team matching tattoo or Brian’s tattoo of your cute face? this was a fun read – either way :)

Vany
2 months ago
Reply to  jennifer

Both

Brittany
2 months ago

I even KNOW it is April Fool’s and your writing was STILL so convincing. Hahahahah you got me

Brenda
2 months ago

You got me! Absolutely HILARIOUS!!! I have never laughed out loud that much at an April Fools joke in my life. I’m so relieved to know that I can continue to respect you because I thought for sure you had all totally lost it. LOL!!!

Marissa
2 months ago

OMG, I love April Fool’s Day here too! I came straight here to see what you all cooked up because I STILL think about last year’s toilet throw pillows and laugh out loud.

Vany
2 months ago
Reply to  Marissa

I totally forgot about that post!

The Affordable Bathroom 2024 Decor Trend That We Are Loving Right Now

Knudsoka
2 months ago

Omg, kudos to whoever did the photo shopping, and to Emily for all the believable until you know better details, and to whomever set this up in the link up (right?? Wasn’t there a plug for a team building article for this week??). I KNOW you do an April fools post every year and I still fell for it. ?

Erin T
2 months ago

Omg you had me!!! Too funny!

Kate
2 months ago

You got me. Y’all should do it!

Caitlin
2 months ago

This totally got me (at first) and was BRILLIANT!!!
Happy April everyone!

Pamela Turner
2 months ago

I totally bought it! And now I can’t stop smiling about it. Happy April Fool’s, all!

kat
2 months ago

WOW. You really got me, I was 100% bought in until Brian’s tattoo. LOL…I was saying out loud to myself…wow, the forearm, that is a prominent location…

MK
2 months ago

This is hilarious! I always feel warm and happy when I read these posts but today, I felt mildly disturbed. So funny.

AJ
2 months ago

Came here just for the April Fool’s Em! Wasn’t disappointed :)

Melissa
2 months ago

Totally fell for this! All the way to the end!

Megan
2 months ago

Thank you EHD for the best April Fools posts ever. Totally fell for it this year, even though I knew it was coming!

AK
2 months ago

Ha! My husband could NOT understand why the bed was shaking in the middle of the night — but it was me, laughing so hard. We need more laughter these days and man, did EHD deliver!!

Norah
2 months ago

Bwahahahaha! You got me!

Bridget
2 months ago

You really do the best April Fool’s jokes.

Gretchen
2 months ago

1000% fell for this! So so good.

Juanita
2 months ago

I was trying to be positive as I read this, thinking… wow that is cool but a little intense! And the forearm, hmm, so visible… did they mean for them to be so large? What a commitment… I love this for them but I hope they don’t regret it… LOL! Didn’t pick up on the joke until I started reading the comments ?‍♀️ love you gals! And props to whoever photoshopped this, a little *too* realistic maybe ?

Marie
2 months ago

Haha…you took BRANDED to a whole new level!

Sona
2 months ago

I was all in until I saw Brian’s tattoo! Got me, almost! ???

Rjohn
2 months ago

OMG!! You got me! I was toggling back and forth between “Isn’t this weird” to “guess it’s cool???”Ha ha ha ha Also relieved its a joke.. ?

Michele
2 months ago

So shocked until I read the comments. You got me

Sasha
2 months ago

I was reading this, wondering when exactly your company became Lumon enterprises (yes, I just finished Severance- highly highly recommend), but by Brian’s tattoo reveal, the pieces fell into place.

Sara
2 months ago

Hilarious!! Well played, em!

Juni
2 months ago

I know this comment is late, but I really fell for this because I KNEW it was 4/01 and I was actually disappointed when I started reading the post because I honestly thought it was real and not an April Fool! ?

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