“You know you’ve really made it when you have haters and critics.” (Mr. Handsome)
Later this month, I will celebrate my 10-year blogging anniversary. My blogging journey started in June 2009 with a simple summer recipe blog, and while that website is no longer live, I now have three additional blogs that are going strong. As a blogger, I receive my fair share of negative comments and emails. Some are kind, respectful, and helpful, but others are not.
A little while ago, some close friends sent us the link to a forum containing about 20 negative comments from folks who dislike Nashville Wife. Mr. Handsome and I got a kick out of these comments (they honestly made us laugh out loud), and because they are not inappropriate, we thought we would share a few of them with you (video below). We both agree that it’s important not to take ourselves so seriously that we can’t laugh at ourselves.
Now I’m scared. Is there a reason why we shouldn’t move to Tennessee? It’s one of the places we are considering. We had 35 people at our wedding, with a 10 course sit down dinner. Every wedding is unique and as long as the bride and groom are happy everyone else should keep their opinion to themselves.
I love how you celebrated your wedding! I am getting married on June 16th. Our day looks different then yours. Everybody should celebrate their wedding how they want to. It is your day.
Congratulations! June is a good month for a wedding. Are you taking a honeymoon? If so, where are you going?
Ellie
Lol-I’m glad you can get past all the haters and critics, Ellie. With my personality it would probably affect me more so I’m intrigued when I find people that can brush it off and go on! Well, I for one am NOT embarrassed you’re from Nashville/Tennessee 🙂 how LESS can anybody wish for other than good kind Christian people in their hometown? I don’t get it. Have a jolly day yourself! 🥳
Thank you so much for this video. I have often wondered how you and Mr. Handsome deal with some of the horrible, uncalled for things people say about you. I am happy you are able to find some humor in the negative. My life could not be more different than yours. I am married, but my husband and I have different last names, he is an atheist while I am agnostic, I am very career orientated and work in a professional environment, I do not cook or clean and having children sounds like a complete nightmare to me. However, I love reading about you and your way of life. (Often times, I wish I knew someone who did cook so I could try your recipes.) I especially enjoy your post where you share parts of your daily life with us and would love to learn more about how you and Mr. H share decision making, etc. (I recall you mentioning not purchasing a swing set without talking with Mr. H first. I would love to learn how you have decided what is an acceptable amount to spend before you talk to one another, etc. I also recall how negative the comments became on that thread and understand why you might choose to steer clear of those topics in the future.) Please do not let the “haters” get to you. Mr. H is right that’s how you know you have made it!
Thank you for your comment! I am grateful to have you as a reader, and I appreciate the different perspective that you bring. That’s a great idea for a blog post. I’ll get working on it. 🙂 If you don’t mind me asking, do you live in the U.S. or internationally?
Ellie
I live in the USA. In fact, I was born and raised just north of you in Kentucky and my family is still there. My parents had a very traditional marriage with very traditional gender roles. My Dad was the primary bread winner and my Mom was a stay at home mom. We went to church on a regular basis, had dinner together as a family every night, etc. I just chose a very different path.
Thanks for sharing. Haven’t spent much time in Kentucky, but it seems fairly similar to Tennessee.
Wow, wow wow!! I started to listen to your video after finding Mr H’s
comment quite funny re: “you know you have really made it”; buuuut I could not keep listening Ellie. I don’t know how you do it. The assumptions, the misconceptions, the sweeping condemnations – it boggles the mind – at least mine. Like Candi, my personality is such that it would bother me – it bothers me for you two. Just wow. We, your real blog readers know better than this. Oh well, differences of opinions make the world interesting. Congrats on your healthy approach to this. But I don’t want to hear the put downs. Sorry!! Eileen
You sound like a very sweet, down to earth person, Eileen. We are blessed to have you as a reader!
Ellie
I don’t have anything negative to say. You both take the negativity so well. I would not.
I think if we lived in the same area we would be friends. 🙂 I’m older than y’all but probably only a few years. And we have a baby close in age.
Aww, you’re very kind, Jessica. Maybe we will bump into each other one day. 🙂
Ellie
Love the good humor! I had fewer than 20 people at my wedding, with another 10 or so on skype from Peru and South Korea, and it was perfect. 🙂
Sounds like a very sweet and intimate event! I’m sure you had a great celebration. 🙂
Ellie
Just wanted to say that I´ve been following your three blogs for several years now, and I really enjoy them. I normally visit each one at least once a day!
I’m so glad to hear that, Grace! Thanks for being a loyal reader. Hope you have a wonderful day.
Ellie
The positive is that even some of the “haters” find value in your work. I agree with Mr. H that you are doing something right to have attracted people who put in the effort to frequent your blog and then find a separate space to write about you.
In terms of the FBI job, you made the best decision for yourself and your relationship. People from all political spectrums and social beliefs have turned down jobs because of location, family dynamics, and determining that the actual job isn’t what they wanted to do.
Anyway, I find your content entertaining. I came over from the Duggar and Bates blogs and continue visiting because I like your sense of humor and reading what life is like for someone in a different region of the country (I live on the west coast). The different themed parties you’ve shared have been creative and well done while also being doable/easily adaptable for an everyday person on a budget.
Please keep posting and, if possible, share more of Mr. H’s artwork.
Thanks for sharing your feedback, JG. We are glad to have you as a reader, and we love having folks from different geographical locations weigh in on our posts.
Ellie
Someone once left you a comment about making snacks for the super bowl. I cried laughing and still get a good kick out of it! Divorcing over making snacks and watching sports is a new one to me!! 😂
Comment from a fellow reading that I am copy and pasting.
“ I find football unbearably boring. The whole idea of catering to a bunch of rowdy people hyped up over that boring game makes me sick. I agree with your thoughtfulness and hospitality, you are good at planning and preparing no matter what for. Its sad though that this is going to go on all of the time at your house. My sister divorced her husband for this exact reason. She was a football, hockey, baseball fan ‘s wife and did the catering for the guys and hung out with the other wives and girlfriends. She decided if that was her life and her future she did not want it. They had no children before the split. She married someone else and now has a family and a good life.“
I found that a bizarre comment, as well, Kendra. Sounds like an issue that could be worked through!
Ellie
Just a different perspective on that- I read that comment as the wife doing all of the work and having to cater to her husbands needs all the time. Preparing for a get together can be a lot of work between planning, cleaning and making food, and it can be exhausting. If the husband was unappreciative of that (and if the wife was doing all the work for an event that she didn’t want to even participate in!), it could have been a symptom of a larger issue between them. I sure hope it wasn’t just because they had different opinions about watching sports!
I didn’t find that comment bizarre at all. I don’t like sports or entertaining large loud crowds either.
Everybody hates these days. 🙁
I love your blogs, and even though we probably disagree on things (because that’s life!) I still enjoy reading your articles and following your adventures. Keep it up for us!
Thank you, Diana! I’m glad to have you as a reader. 🙂
This video made me laugh! Reminds me of he late night segment where people read offensive tweets about themselves. Keep blogging – you are doing a good job!
LOL that’s true! It was kind of like that TV show. Thanks so much for reading! 🙂
I started watching this video and then had to stop. You and your husband and sweet baby boy are a wonderful family. You are all good-natured, smart, talented and beautiful/handsome! There are people who do bad things in this world who may deserve criticism, but you are certainly not one of them. This is the first comment I’ve ever made online as I’m more of an “observer” than a “participant”, but I felt compelled to lift you up. I think you and your family are wonderful and your blog content makes me and many others happy. Thank you.
Thank you for your uplifting words, Angelina! (Love your name, by the way.) I am honored that my website is the first one that you have ever commented on. I hope that you continue to comment. 🙂
Have a lovely day,
Ellie
You two are to darn cute! While I don’t like the negative comments here, they actually are fun to read now because the haters actually sound rather silly. And yes, your husband is handsome but not as handsome as mine.😊
It sounds like the site is run by a bunch of bored women who have nothing to do all day but gossip about people they know nothing about. Most of it sounds like jealousy to me.
I think I might know the site you are talking about and that site actually is responsible for me finding your Duggar blog.
Well then it sounds like we have them to thank for bringing you to me as a reader! I always value your comments, Regina. 🙂
Ellie
Ignore the haters. I enjoy all three of your blogs and hope you continue all three. Thank you for even taking the time to email a few times. I think it would be nice to meet you sometime.
Thank you for being a loyal reader, Linda! Have a blessed day.
Ellie
I was always brought up to only say kind things. If you don’t have anything kind to say, don’t say anything at all. I don’t know why this can’t be applied to writing online as well! I think it’s excellent that you and Mr H can laugh about it and are so supportive of each other.
I’ve been enjoying all of your blogs for years. I used to teach for two years in North Carolina and now I am back in the UK we don’t get UP tv at all and Counting On is usually several months behind. Your blog does a great job of keeping us up to date. Thank you.
We had around 80 people at our wedding which is about typical for an English wedding. We attended a few weddings when we were in the US and they were always much larger.
I appreciate your hard work.
Thank you for being a loyal reader, Abi. I’m glad to have you! How is life/teaching different in the UK and North Carolina?
Ellie
Well done Ellie and Mr Handsome. Your response to these comments was great. You spend a lot of time on all of your blogs for the enjoyment of your readers. You are courteous in your manner to those that both agree and disagree with the contents of these. Thank you for the effort you put into the blogs. There will always be differences of opinions between people but, I think the way some people relay their opinion to others , shows either there maturity or immaturity.
Thank you for your uplifting words, Alison. We are glad to have you as a reader from Scotland!
Ellie
I always especially appreciate this person’s comments because I have the same name and most of my ancestry is from Scotland.
At a job finding course I once attended the instructor was talking about something that went like, “shooting from the lip”…. It meant just thoughtlessly saying something to wound or hurt.
That was a Christian employment course.
I think it is important what you are doing, because it is an interesting blog about your life, but it is also life lived truths that you share. You’ve opened up and welcomed everyone into your life and basically been a blog pal and nice friend to many.
I doubt if some of those commenters can appreciate your social grace and kindness, to put yourself out there and create fellowships online. I can understand that reading some of this stuff is like a descent into darkness or madness. The Bible says not to become bitter and affect many. Your response is good.
It is nice to see the mutual support that you two can give to each other. A lady I knew, who was my moms friend, told me that’s something that having a husband meant to her, when negativity was coming at her life, then he could give her a big hug and say, “Honey I love you you’re not that awful!”
(?! I did not want to say are you just joking?!) (….was he zinging her, or was she zinging me? It’s definitely about handling zingers though.)
The imoji is suitable in another way, the hand on the head. And the word hater, makes me think hat, then hatter and then the mad hatter. People are getting into insanity, because aren’t some of the comments silly, nonsense? I think you are using the internet properly and wonder if it is even necessary to give such rude comments a seconds thought. I saw online that it takes six seconds of thinking about something for it to go from the mind to the emotions. That is why people just quickly brush things off, I guess. It is up to you if you want to be a blogger. There are other women using almost your same name for their blogs. And if you ever stop doing the Duggar and Bates blogs someone would likely quickly fill that niche in.
It seems you are just into learning all of what comes with your territory. Thanks again for sharing your life!
Ellie, it’s good that the negative comments don’t bother you. I’ve heard someone say, part of life is what we make it. You and Mr. Handsome have made your life something you can be proud of. I so much like your three blogs and like commenting. Jane
Thank you, Jane! We love having you as a reader.
Ellie
Very interestingly therapeutic. Thanks for posting. I could say plenty more, but not worth it; at least not publicly. Bless you folks
Thanks for being a loyal reader, godly-young-widow. 🙂
Ellie
I don’t know that I could handle the negative comments, it made me sad they even made them at you, but I try and think of it as how sad is their life that they put down nice people? I like your recipes and such and though real trees aren’t an option in my house I have told so many newlyweds about your tree ornament made from the piece of trunk!
Aww, thanks, Jess! Glad you have been able to share it. That’s my favorite ornament 🙂
I’m glad to have you as a reader,
Ellie
I could have written the post from 6/4 at 3:15. It’s not me, but we are similar.
I, too, enjoy your blog. I’ve long admired how you handle negative posts, and even allow negative comments to stay in your posts. I have made different choices in life than you, but I think what we do have in common is appreciation for differing views and kind demeanor.
I am sure I know what site you are talking about. I have read a lot of websites for the reason above – I like to see what people think. I don’t understand why people would take the time to read the blog if they don’t like it. When I don’t like something, I stop doing it. Life is too short to read stuff that is not enjoyable to me.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment. I’m glad to have you as a reader! 🙂
Ellie
I’ve always wondered what kind of lives people lead who make the time to read blogs they hate & then publicly post & converse about their distaste with other haters they don’t even know?! I just don’t get it.
In the King James, Prov. 18:24 reads “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” …
I actually thought you seemed more bothered by the comments then you said you were.
In this case, I see no point in negativity. I personally do not even believe in God, and have some widely varying views to Mr. H and Ellie herself, but I find her extremely respectful to everyone, even negative people! I do like her reports on trips, and now motherhood. I find it ironical that the same people who say ‘women should have a CHOICE’ put down Ellie’s CHOICE to be married, and support her husband and raise a child, and turn down a formal job offer to do so. KUDOS to her. There is no point in women tearing each other down at all. Keep on doing what you’re doing. You’re interesting to read and listen to, and although I don’t agree with following and reporting on the Duggars and Bates, it’s none of my business and I can CHOOSE to follow those or not!!
Hello from Australia
Why are people so rude ??
Nothing nice to say,don’t say anything at all …
I love your all your blogs/posts .
You speak about many different things and it’s always quite interesting …
Glad you can laugh at these comments…
Hope this finds you all well , and baby buddy is settled more for you
Take care
Ellie and Mr Handsome, Keep doing what ya’ll do! I have been a follower of your blogging for sometime and enjoy everything. I think your both adorable. My only negative comment would have to be eww on the mango / broccoli thing lol! But that’s only because I don’t mix fruit and veggies together. Eww! Lol! On a positive note …..may God bless
Lol! I agree that it sounds like a weird combination. It really is good though. 🙂 Thank you for your comment. We sure are glad to have you as a reader.
Ellie