When I was 20 and the Husband and I were just beginning to date (long distance), he asked me about my dreams. This was the middle of one of those four-hour-long, getting-to-know-you calls. I said, “I dream about the day I walk into a bookstore and can find a book with my name on the spine.”
Today was that day.
We grabbed sandwiches from Laurel Market and sat outside the deli, calling bookstores to see who had it available (technically, the book isn’t out for another week or so). I got the Lulu (hummus and tabbouleh whole wheat wrap) and we split a bag of chips.
I had the Husband do all the calling because I was embarrassed to ask for my own book. 
Like the operator would know!
After two tries, we found a Borders with the book on the shelf! We drove right over. It was a magical moment. Very, very cool to see it actually HAPPEN after all this work (and it looks so great – the publisher did an awesome job laying out the notes, stories, and chapters).
Obviously, I HAD to buy a copy. Well… I made the Husband actually purchase it. Yeah, yeah. The cashier wouldn’t know I wrote it, but it still felt funny!
Wahoo!
And then we went to IKEA… on a Sunday… after I ran 8.0 miles. It was quite a haul! We needed to buy a shelf, chairs, and other odds and ends for the Husband’s clinic.
A trip to IKEA requires $1 frozen yogurt.
And I snacked on an apple from my the depths of my purse.
Then, we spent half an hour debating the merits of purchasing three barstools as opposed to four. Three = more space at the bar and way cheaper. Four = better for the future if we move and decide to purchase a table. We went with four.
Amidst furniture assembly, I made dinner.
On the menu:
- Red onions, tomatoes, fresh basil, Athenos feta, and balsamic salad.
- Parsnip and carrot fries with ketchup.
- Challah bread with honey.
I ate probably another serving or two of Challah bread as I cooked. So absolutely fabulous!
All together now:
Perfection on a plate!
Alright – two barstools down, two more to go! And then, bed really early because Kath convinced me to join for her yoga! Class begins at 6:30 AM….
What career achievements do you dream of reaching?
Twitter
Operation Beautiful
I can’t imagine what kind of incredible feeling that must have been! One day I’ll see my name on a masthead of a magazine or a newspaper. Congratulations again Caitlin!!! (And for the record, my condolences on the Ikea! I HATE assembling furniture with a fiery passion!)
Congrats on having your dream come true! =) What a fun day. You should be SO proud of your hard work. The fact that you accomplished that in such a short amount of time is really awesome.
One of my dreams is to write books too. Hopefully some day when the timing is right.
I would also love to have a vegan cooking show and show people how amazing and easy vegan food can taste! It would be so much fun.
In highschool my best friends and I filmed a mock cooking show for the class and it was so hilarious. I think it would be a ball.
You would be a great TV personality!
Beautiful salad. Beautiful dinner.
& what an awesome day that must have been! I dream that I can do what you did today @ Borders someday, too…
What an incredible day, Caitlin–CONGRATULATIONS on a wish fulfilled!! You are truly EPIC!!
Congrats!! I can’t even imagine how exciting it would be to see your book on the shelf in a store. You really must be on cloud nine. I have the same dream – hopefully I will be going to the bookstore someday to see my own work.
Enjoy the success. It’s well deserved!
Congrats!!
I’ve been rethinking my dreams lately… so I’ll have to get back to you
Ahhh, that’s so exciting! Congrats x’s a million.
I’ve got the same kind of dream. That, and oh, save the world. Dream big.
What a wonderful day, in ways you might not appreciate for years…
Love,
Dad
SO excited for you! How amazing you made your dream come true. No one can ever take this away from you. Treasure it
CONGRATS!!!
One of my dreams is also seeing my name on the spine of a book… It’ll happen, one day…
I have to say – you’re so inspiring, Caitlin. I feel like you work your butt off for everything, nothing is ever really “handed” to you and it reminds me to keep on keepin’ on even when things feel impossible. You rock.
Thanks Jessica! Hard work always pays off.
Congrats to you!!!!! So excited for you. You have worked so hard and deserve this!
I know I want to help people achieve their fitness and health goals. I’m still on my journey… it’s been a non stop one for ten years! But I want people to know that anything is possible… their weight/fitness lever never has limitations on them!
that is SO COOL. I would love to write a book but I have no idea what about lol!
I always thought I would be in some kind of leadership role, just not sure in what capacity.
Concgratulations! I’m so happy for you on achieving your dream! You worked so hard and deserve every moment of happiness, you and the Husband do, he did work his butt off in school and opening the clinic
You must be so incredibly proud of yourself. What a wonderful day – you deserve it!
LOL what a cute post! congrats on the book, im about to pre-order mine!
That must be such an incredible feeling!!! I totally would have told the cashier that I wrote the book!
YAY!!! that is so amazingly exciting! what a good day! your dinner also looks amazzzzzzing!
That’s so awesome!
Congratulations on your best day ever!
Was the hubby nice about buying the book for you?
The hubby is nice about everything
ooooho congrats! It is all getting so very very exciting!!!
Congratulations!! How exciting!!!
I would have done the same thing making my man do the foot work, I hear ya sister
Congrats! Can’t wait to get my copy!!
Oh Caitlin, I am FAR older than u. And my life is such a mess now…that any gains in career seem daunting and impossible …it is a mess (too much to get into). But I am so so happy for you. Seriously. This is amazing.
I want to tell my family members to buy the book “just because”. I want to tell them the author is a “friend” , ha
So incredibly exciting! I haven’t ordered it yet because I want to pick it up at the bookstore myself… haha! I’ll have to start looking. My dream is the same, I want to write childrens’ books. But first, I want to finish school and be a teacher! One more year…
What a magical day! Dreams do come true if you work hard. Thanks for showing us that!
First of all, thanks for the rested vibes – I actually slept really well last night so it must have been all you girl!
I think it’s so exciting you found your book! I would have totally made FH buy it for me instead of me going to get it too.
I just read Kath’s post and thought it was so funny they saw you there – and I love how you had an apple in your purse. I always have apples in mine.
Congratulations! This day must seem surreal to you, but you worked hard to get this day to come! How exciting!
I don’t want anything huge, but I’d like to be respected where I work, as in “damn, that woman knows her stuff.” I also want to work as a Class Afloat teacher.
so exciting! i have that same dream, although mine’s probably still a couple years down the road
what an amazing day! and so young for your dreams to be realized. i’m sure your parents/family/friends are so proud…especially because of what the book stands for.
i’ve dreamed of becoming a mother…and after trying for 4 years, we will be having our first in about 8 weeks!
That’s so awesome! I would have screamed if it were me.
I hope you did! Congratulations!
So they don’t send you a copy of your own book haha. Come on! You should have like a million free ones!
But anyway if it were me, and I had a million free ones I’d still go by one, just cuz. Haha. You get a book published you get to do things like that. Congrats Congrats!
Hahah they sent me like 20 free copies. I still had to buy one, too!
What an AMAZING day! I can’t even imagine. Congrats!!! I have a lot of career dreams. I’d like to keep them to myself for now, but I’ll let you know what they are if…I mean WHEN they come true
How exciting for you!
Three cheers for dreams realized. Congratulations!
So exciting! I dream of the day when I can have the letter Ph.D. beside my name. Hopefully soon.
I dream of doing research that ultimately helps save endangered species.
CONGRATS on your book! That is so awesome that you saw it.
That is so great you found your book on the shelf and bought it! That’s a dream come true for sure! Your dinner looks fab and easy!
Wow. What an amazing feeling it must be to have a published book. I would love to have my own business one day, but I am still thinking about what it would be. And I’d love to write a book one day too, like a series of travel memoirs.
Congratulations on making your dreams come true.
When I was finishing high school and about to start school to become a social worker, I had a panic attack. I should have applied to cullinary school to become a chef. But I told myself that the social work field was the right path. 7 years later I am not in love with my work, I’ve never found a job I could see making a career out of. Come this fall, I am going back to school to become a Holistic Nutritionist. So rather than work crazy restaurant hours, I am going to have my own practice, and teach my community about healthier options, food pairings, and introduce them to new foods, and recipes. I can’t wait.
Sometimes it takes a while to get where you’re suppose to be
that’s ok!
Oh my goodness, congratulations! I will be scouting it out at my Borders tomorrow…
I also really want to write a book, but I can never get past the idea stage and actually start writing because I’m afraid no one will want to read it. I think it’s amazing what you’ve done…congratulations
Aw, congrats on seeing your book on the shelf! That is very exciting
I have to go out and get my copy now!
I hate to seem like a sap but I totally teared up reading this post. Congrats on seeing (and buying!) your first book! You must be so proud of yourself, because I know I’m proud of you!
Your hubby is wonderful, too!
<3
Caitlin,
This post almost made me cry – the brief backstory of you and your husband’s “getting to know each other” conversations, and the fact that today your dreams were realized! Congratulations – you deserve every ounce of happiness, and know that even though it was a very individual dream, the result (book!) will help many young girls realize theirs!
Thank you!
Congratulations!! So exciting =))))
I’ll be buying a copy of course.
Congrats on this major milestone! Just curious, how did you and the husband start dating? Was it online?
No we had a mutual friend (I knew her through college and he knew her through high school). He came to visit her one weekend the result is history!
That is awesome! I teard up a little and I only know you through the blog. Take time to savor this moment.
HOW FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!! YAY! And that meal looks fabuloso!
The fact that you told the Husband that you dreamed of seeing your name on a published book is incredible. I think everyone would be happy to see such a sight, but your story definitely makes it that much more of an accomplishment. Huge congratulations!
Wow what a day! Thats so exciting for you, congratulations!
Congrats!!! I’m sure you were on cloud nine all day!!!
I was at Barnes & Noble (in northern New York) today and asked if your book was in yet and they said it would be a few week. I was soooo disappointed….But I will keep my eyes peeled!!!
Thanks for asking!!!
All of my dreams have been about kids. I’ve never had huge career goals.
SO COOL that you found your book on the shelf! I can’t wait to receive my copy. =)
Wow..what a wonderful day for you! Congratulations on your wish fullfilled!
who took the picture of yall in IKEA? probably not a stranger because they captured a random moment when you two were talking! just curious
Self timer
It makes for good story telling.
You two look so cute together discussing furniture in Ikea! I went to my local Borders but sadly it wasn’t there.
For those whose Borders do have it, there’s a 40% coupon you can use on any list price item in-store or online (also works at Waldenbooks). Code is BUJ8050C for online and you can print it from this link: http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/7w4f40.html?cmpid=SA_20100723 (expires July 26)
Thanks for passing along this coupon code – awesome
Congrats! It’s so awesome! I’ll have to buy it even if I’m trying to kick the book-buying habit because I’m that excited for you. Note to self: Big dreams can come true! You just have to fight for them…
Heheh thanks Sarah! Books rule.
Congrats! What and amazing/special day!!!
Wow it must be a thrilling experience to see your name on the cover! Congrats! I look forward to buying it at Borders!!
Congratulations on all of your hard work! I’m so happy for all of the positive changes recently in your life.
I can’t imagine how it would feel to have your book in stores.
I would have bought it myself & told a few people I wrote it, be proud. It’s a huge deal!
Woooooo! Congrats on your book!! Super exciting!
The picture of you and your husband at IKEA is too funny.
I totally would have made Hunni go buy it too
I dream of one day doing missions in a Spanish speaking country. I have since I was 16. Now that I’m a pastor and fluent in Spanish it might be a reality in the next 5-10 years. I can’t wait.
Congrats on your book!! I can’t wait to purchase a copay.
My goal it to someday start my own business. I want to provide nutrition education to low and middle income people. There would be cooking, working out and learning how EXCITING nutrition can be. My client list would be long and ALL of my clients would be changing their lives! And who knows by then you may have more books and I would recommend them to my clients
I am so THRILLED for you. Don’t ever shy away from sharing your excitement with your readers because a) you deserve it…you have worked so hard; and b) we are genuinely happy for you and want to share in your joy!
You are a testament to a vision, hard work and fruition!!!
That is AMAZING – such a great blessing for you and for all the hundreds of people your notes have helped or encouraged and inspired!!!!
Congrats!!!!!!
What an awesome awesome day!!!!!!!! I’m super excited for you! And if it were me I would totally tell everyone in the store that was me!
As for a career goal – this may seem random but I want to argue a case at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Congrats!! I just discovered your blog, and will visit again. How exciting to have a dream come true.
Honestly, I don’t have any big career goals like most people. All I have ever wanted is to be happy, help others realize their dreams, and to rescue pets. I’m lucky to say I get to live most of my dreams already.
i liked this comment!
Wow, how exciting that the book is finally on the shelves! I wouldn’t have been able to contain my excitement if it was me! Glad your dreams are coming true : )
That’s amazing that you’ve achieved your goal, you msut be so proud of yourself
I don’t know what career I want yet..I just know the lifestyle I want!!
congrats on the book!!! wow, you and your hubby had an LDR? kudos to both of you you made it work!
goals? a lot…dreams, too. I have my dream notepad
I am so excited for you!!!! Can’t wait to have a copy of your book myself.
I dream of the day I can open my own yoga studio and have everything under one roof. A day when I am not teaching at different studios and halls hither and yon, cycling about with yoga blocks!!
I have a name and colour scheme all ready!
I also dream of the day my name is on the spine of a book.
I’m pretty sure I’ll achieve both dreams (or ones equally as good) eventually!
You look radiant with your book! Congrats on such a huge accomplishment and seeing it happen. And how amazing that having a book of your own was a dream all this time.
CONGATS!!! I can’t imagine how cool that must have been….what a dream come true! I can’t wait for my copy to arrive next week!!
I love this post!
Did you autograph all the other books on the shelf??
Hahah no? Should I have??
Yes!! Go back and do it! And leave a little beautiful note for the people. Then tell the book store people so they can put that little “autographed copy” sticker on it.
Haha, I live in Chapel Hill and would totally make the 3 hr or so drive down to Charlotte just to get an autographed book with an Operation Beautiful note from the author herself!
Thanks Sweeties!
Caitlin, I just got chills reading that. Seriously. so. cool. Can I still pre-order? Doing it today…
Thank you, Keri!
congradulations Cailin!! You must feel so proud and excited
It’s amazing that you made your dream come true.
Congratulations Caitlin! A friend of mine put me onto your blog right after I took up running and I continue to be inspired! Even pre-ordered your book for Christmas gifts:)! Just went back and read your entry on getting started with running- what a help for me. I started running about four weeks ago and I am addicted- looking for a race in my future. I also have been very moved by your Operation Beautiful- I have definitely spent most of my life with “Fat Talking” about myself and after my friend shared your web-site and theories, my life has really changed! I actually looked at a picture of myself in a bathing suit last week and didn’t get upset. Thank you for what you are doing for me, but also for my two young daughters. I carry post-it notes with me everywhere now:)!
<3 i loved this comment. thanks so much loy! stay strong for your girls!
congratulations pretty lady!
i’m so happy your dreams are becoming reality and all your work is paying off.
when i go buy the book, i think i’m going to make small talk with the cashier, and somehow work it in that i ‘know’ the author of the book, yeah, she’s a pretty big deal..
and i just want to be happy in whatever it is i’m doing. baking for a living, nutritionist, meterologist, circus artist (that last one isn’t very likely), i just don’t want to dread going to work on monday.
heheh thanks.
being happy is the ultimate goal!
Congratulations!! That is SO exciting, and you’ve earned it
xoxo
That is definitely beyond exciting. My career-dream is to own my nutrition practice.
I totally got chills seeing you with the book in your hand! Congratulations!
I dream of being a motivational speaker traveling around the world encouraging women to give up dieting, learn to trust their bodies and to just be themselves. I’d also, of course, love to write books on the same topic.
Girl CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! U put your heart and mind into it and you can do anything! I am so happy for you! So cool your book is out, I bet it seems like a dream!!!!!! Congrats and so cute you had hubby call and ask if the bookstores had it, I would of done the same, would of felt weird asking about my own book too!
How exciting! Congratulations! I can’t wait to buy a copy.
See my book on a shelf is also one of my dreams. As is seeing my name, on a website, doing my dream job. But more on that when I start my dream job
xo
Kris
So awesome! Even cooler that they are displaying your book w/the cover showing!
Congrats! That is so amazing! I saw your tweet yesterday morning and went to my local Borders and they didn’t have it yet. Boo! So excited for you!
Congratulations Caitlin! It is so amazing and inspirational to see your dreams come true – you totally deserve it
Honestly, my biggest dream is just to be a mom.
mine too!
i had tears in my eyes reading this- and seeing you bending down holding the book:)!!! so awesome
Congratulations! LOVE the cover, and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy
You’ve put in a Lot of hardwork, soak in every moment!
Congratulations!!!! What an amazing accomplishment. You and your hubby are so cute together!
Career Goals: articles published in Law Library Journal.
Personal Writing Goal: I also have a non-fiction book in the works.
Question: In what section of Borders are they placing your book?
self improvement!
Horray! That’s so incredibly exciting.
My dream is to see my novel on shelves. And then I’ll probably go door-to-door like you and force my husband to ask if they have it in stock.
Congrats! That is so amazing that you made your dream come true.
My dream is to one day be a registered dietician and specialize in helping people struggling with eating disorders. You’ve made me realize that it IS possible for me to make this a reality!
How exciting to find your book! I can’t imagine what that must have felt like. Congrats again! And the book does look beautiful!
My dream is to one day be a mom. J and I are waiting a few more years before we start having kids, but the thought is just so exciting for me. To have a child call me “mommy” makes me tear up just thinking about it!
I also dream that one day I could write a book or make a movie — I have so many stories from when I was a kid growing up with my 3 sisters and I would love to share those with others!
Congratulations, girl. This post makes me cry, but in a good way.
I have the exact same dream. I yearn for the day my name is beside a book on the NYT bestseller list. I also dream of producing a TV show. Of writing a screenplay that’s nominated for an Oscar (or at least is a serious contender.)
On a less serious (or maybe even MORE serious) note, I dream of meeting and marrying Henry Cavill.
So exciting about your book, congrats! One of my dreams is to write a book someday. Hopefully mine will come true like yours did!
LOVE this post!!!!!!!! So happy for you!
I love this post! Congratulations. I hope this one goes under your “Top Posts” section.
I think I’d know I’d have my dream job if I ever were on TV for it. Then again, bank robbers get their face on TV and that’s not really a dream job, but anything else I’d be cool with.
Congrats on the book! Yay!
Right now I am at a place where I wish I knew what career goals I wanted to achieve. Making more sales from my etsy store would be nice and I’ve always said I wanted to publish a book of poetry but I would settle for getting hired for a job I actually liked and that paid enough for me not to worry so much about money.
Congratulations on the book (and achieving your dream)! Love this post.
Congrats Caitlin! What an amazing experience. I hope the dream day for feels just as good!
Congratulations! Next time offer to sign some! My mother in law does it all the time and the stores really appreciate it!
I’m so excited for you! I always wanted to own my own business and after 4 years of being self-employed, I recently launched my own Marketing Consultancy http://www.wrencommunication.com with 2 business partners. It has been great and I’m enjoying every minute.
CONGRATULATIONS to you!!
I am so excited for you!
that’s so exciting about the book! I’ll be on the lookout for it! and good call on 4
you’ll be happy when you have guests over. We bought a 4 chair dining room table and now I wish we had 6 though. You never have enough seating 
[...] we popped across the street to Borders to see if we could spot Caitlin’s brand new book, Operation Beautiful, on the [...]
Your dreams are coming true girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on the book! My husband is an illustrator and it makes us so excited every time we find his books in the bookstore. I am really happy for you! I would love to write a cookbook at some point in my life. I feel like all that I have learned about cooking for food allergies and intolerances should be put to some good use at some point.
How exciting to see all your hard work pay off and your dream come true! Cute story too.
I have no idea what my career aspirations are at the moment…way too many ideas floating around in my head!
What an awesome day Catilin!!!!!
omg what a CRAZY surreal moment to see your book with YOUR name on the shelf. YAY congrats! i would have made my hubby do all the calling/purchasing too
hehe
Awww! The biggest, warmest, happiest congrats are in order re finding your book on the shelf!! You should have bought champagne!! Cheers!!
Congrats Caitlin! That’s so exciting! I can’t wait to go and pick up your book, I hope my Borders has it early!!
Congratulations Caitlin. It must have been awesome to see your book in person, in an actual store for sale! I’ll be sure to look for it (pre-actual sale date) the next time I’m in a book store. What section would it be in?
My biggest career dream right now is to own a bakery. I’ve been taking orders from home but to have my own bakery where people can come in, sit down and enjoy one of my baked goods…it would truly be a dream come true.
It’s in self improvement!
High fives!!! So proud!!!
Congratulations! What an amazing feeling it must be!
Caitlin!!! I’m SO proud of you
I started reading your blog last year and it’s been completely refreshing to read your blood boiling passion, enthusiasm, want to scream to the rooftops excitement about all things health, wellness, confidience and simply love of life. I tell people about you, my “blog friend” almost everyday and share your blog, book and operation beautiful message – as we are very similar women! I’m buying your book this week! BRAVO to you!
And guess what, even MORE amazing things await for you
Can’t you feel it?! Cheers!
thank you so much my dear!