Star Struck

I’m not usually one to go crazy over celebrities or other well-knowns. The people I admire most are usually the ones present in my everyday life, those I’m close to; but I have one big exception…Kelle Hampton. My sister-in-law Emily called me on the phone last February, crying over a particular blog post she said I must read…but only if I had a box of tissues in hand. I immediately went to ‘Enjoying the Small Things.’

I’ve been hooked ever since.

If you’re not familiar with Kelle and little Nella, grab a box of tissues, find yourself a quite place, click here, and lose yourself. Be prepared to add her blog to your ‘must read’ list.

On Fresh Take, the BYUtv show I’ve been working on, we produce often, episodes entirely dedicated to inspiring stories, in an effort to help others see the good in the world. As we brainstormed in a meeting trying to decided what stories to highlight, I immediately thought of Kelle and introduced the team to her amazing blog. They immediately saw the inspiration too, and we were lucky enough to convince Kelle to come to Utah to do an episode with us.

Yesterday I got to meet Kelle, Nella, and their friend Nadya in person, as they came to film with us in the studio. It was a total treat for me and I was most certainly star struck. I’m not going to lie, I was ga-ga. I’m afraid I probably made a really awkward first impression because I was so nervous; but Kelle was gracious and lovely and even better in person than on her blog.  And Nella…oh my goodness.

Thank goodness Kelle was understanding of my need to take pictures, her being a photographer and all, because I of course had my camera. I was certainly not going to miss the opportunity for photos on this day!

Nella and I getting to know each other…

…she even cuddled with me a bit and my heart melted into a puddle. She’s seriously the sweetest little thing. She’s got the love gene.

Kelle was great on camera, as I knew she would be. I’m excited to see how her interview turns out, all pieced together in lovely HD.

We had some girl bonding time while in make-up. I had to get painted up too. I was nominated to bring Nella out to Kelle on the set as part of her segment, and then put in a plug for finding more inspiring stories like Kelle’s to be featured on Fresh Take.

I’ve decided being on TV is not for me. It’s way too nerve racking!

This is my friend Casey, our Fresh Take casting director, with Kelle. Casey is an ‘Enjoying the Small Things’ reader now too.

I love Kelle because she is truly an inspiring person. She loves life, she’s optimistic, and her ‘high on life’ attitude is infectious. So, if you’re needing to catch some positive in your life, start reading Kelle. You won’t be sorry. She a beautiful writer, her photos are stunning, you’ll fall in love with her family, and you’ll love her music choices too. I knew when she added ‘Sweet Disposition’ by Temper Trap, and John Mayer’s ‘Heart of Life’ to her blog playlist, we were meant to be friends.

Hey, after today I can move Kelle’s blog from my ‘People I Don’t Know, Who’s Blogs I Read’ list, to my friends and family list. Yeah!

If you’re reading this Kelle…thank you so much…for everything.

Check out Kelle’s post today. I sent her to Sundance to enjoy some snow while she was here in Utah. She loved it there, as I knew she would. And guess what… you’ll even see me on her blog!