Holy shiplap, Chip and Joanna! You threw me a curve ball yesterday when you announced that season 5 is going to be your last season of Fixer Upper. I mean, I think I knew when the video opened with the two of you on the couch holding hands. It was like my heart just sank and in that moment, I knew it was the beginning of the end of you coming into our living room on Tuesday nights and filling our lives with everything farmhouse, Demo Day, and of course, shiplap.

But after watching your video and wiping the tears from my eyes yesterday, in this season of grief I just had to tell you thank you. My husband and I, like so many other Americans, have watched your show for these last four years with so much joy and anticipation. What will this house’s new open floor plan look like? What color pallet is Jo going to pick? How will they design the fireplace? Look how big their kids are getting! And of course, how can we get this look in our own home?

When my husband and I designed and built our own farmhouse three years ago, we would often look at each other and say, “Well, what would Chip and JoJo do?” half joking, half serious. But probably more serious than not. The way the two of you work together is really something beautiful to watch, and clearly it works, as we have seen by the dozens of homes you have created before our eyes. Beauty from ashes is what you guys specialize in, and it’s a joy and a thrill to watch it happen right in our own living rooms. So thank you for showing us how to turn our houses into homes; what a gift you have given to us!

But the thing that I think I love the most about you two is more about your hearts. Here’s the thing, there aren’t a lot of folks in the television industry who claim Christ. And there’s even fewer who LIVE for Him. But over the years, my husband and I have watched you, time and time again, bring Jesus into the picture; in the good AND the bad. Not only do you bring Him into it, but you give Him center stage. He has been your biggest reveal yet to date. You have shown in word and action what it means to be a steward of your gifts and your talents, and that’s why it should be no surprise to any of us as to why you are taking a step back to focus on your precious family and business. Thank you for showing us family oriented discernment and Godly faithfulness; what a gift you have given to us!

So maybe one day we will see you back in our living rooms again. Or maybe my husband and I will make our dream trip to Waco happen and we can wave to you while you look out from over The Silos. But until then you will be able to find me perusing the isles of Target, swooning over your Hearth and Home Collection, and remembering a time before you said good-bye to Fixer Upper. But know that we are all still in our living rooms, cheering you, your kids, and the entire Magnolia family on, praying that God continues to bless and to guide you… whatever your next big reveal may be.

With love and shiplap, A Forever Fixer Upper Fan

 

Thank you all for watching, caring and cheering us on these past few years. We are overwhelmed by your support and your kindness. You have become a part of our story forever. Season 5 of Fixer Upper is scheduled to start airing in November and we really have saved the best for last! (To see the full announcement about our finale season, click the link in my profile)

A post shared by Joanna Stevens Gaines (@joannagaines) on Sep 26, 2017 at 3:07pm PDT