I’m very happy to announce to Search Engine Journal readers that the SEJ Family is growing in more ways than one. On November 22nd, I married the love of my life, Mrs. Janna Baker, in a small ceremony here in Tampa, Florida. Some of you may have met Janna at SES New York or briefly at ScarySEO.
Over the past couple of years, Janna has changed my life, my direction and my drive and we will now be spending the rest of our lives together. As cliche as it may sound, I never thought I would meet anyone who compliments me in so many ways, while also filling the voids which were once missing in my life (she also keeps me in line).
On a professional side of things, Janna is a Database Administrator for an Interactive Marketing company, so if I have a rough day measuring analytics or sales conversions and need to vent, she kinda knows what I’m talking about (and vice versa as my programing, SQL and Visual Studio skills have gotten better with her around).
Tomorrow morning we’re heading to Royal Hideaway, a resort in the Riveria Maya region of Mexico, which is located near Playa del Carmen, about an hour or so south of Cancun. We’ll be on our honeymoon for 7 days (my first real vacation in about 6 years), and although I plan to check up on the happenings of SEJ while we’re enjoying ourselves, please don’t hold me to that. In my absense, a handful of really great people will be contributing to keep readers on top of the search marketing world, and I’ll list those people below, after the next announcement.
Ann Smarty is a Mama!
Search Engine Journal’s Ann Smarty became an SEO Mom on November 23rd, giving birth to a beautiful baby girl. Ann will be taking a bit of a break from her daily social media interaction, but will still be contributing to Search Engine Journal on an ongoing basis, bringing tips, tutorials and helping to manage Columnists here at the Journal.
Ann has been a treat to work with over the past year or so at SEJ and on various projects, and I’m pretty sure that all of our readers join me in wishing her and her baby girl health and happiness.
New Search Engine Journal Contributors
As readers of SEJ, you’ve probably noticed some new faces over the past couple of weeks (and a lot less of my own ugly mug). A lot of this has to do with my own side projects and managing my search marketing company’s direction after the tragic loss of my friend and business partner; but for the most part, it’s because I thought that sharing the voices of these bloggers, consultants and rockstars would not only help diversify SEJ’s offerings, but also introduce our readers to some very smart people.
These smart people who have joined the Search Engine Journal family in one way or another include :
- Debra Mastaler
- Dev Basu
- Dave Snyder
- Kate Morris
- Julie Joyce
- Brian Carter
- Jonathan Dingman
- Darrell Long
I’m also very happy to announce that we are currently working with Unique Blog Designs to launch a new Search Engine Journal design with more of a community approach to blogging, contributions, asking questions and commenting. More news on this will be coming soon!
With all of the new additions to our family, including the IMBroadcast project, I’m fairly sure 2009 will be exciting times for all of us at Search Engine Journal and our readers :)
Thank you!
WOW – awesome news… double congrats to you two sweeties and of course Ann and her sweety :-)
Best of luck, health and prospering for all your future!
cheers, Christoph
Congratulations Loren. Wishing you both many love-filled years together
Congrats to you, Janna, and Ann on the great news.
Enjoy yourself in Mexico. Don’t even bring your laptop – we’ll all be here when you get back.
Congratulations Loren!!!!! enjoy your honeymoon in Playa del Carmen, is just Beautiful!!! i know cuz i’m from Méxio!
Cheers!!
Congratulations Ann!! Congratulations Loren!!
@Cristoph Thanks, hopefully we’ll be popping out a sweetie next year to add to the bunch ;)
@Charlie Thanks, that’s the plan :)
@Greg C’mon, the have wifi access LOL
@Mark I especially like Tulum and its plaza of restaurants and cafes. My favorite BBQ chicken joint in the world is in Tulum. They smash the chicken flat with a sledge hammer then BBQ it. AWESOME!
@Nicola Best to you too :)
Congratulations!
Congrats Loren, and have fun on your honeymoon.
I’ve just recently discovered your blog through alltop/seo and I am new here but reading this post today makes me a loyal reader.
What a nice person behind the site, to share your personal news. Clearly, a person I like taking tips from.
All the best in your new marriage.
SEJ is growing indeed! Congrats on the wedding, and have fun you two :) . Ann’s taken that a step further of course, and I’d like to congratulate her for being a proud mom!
What country is Janna from?
Congrats to all. I wonder if Ann found some tools on the internet to find a good keyword for her baby. I mean, name for her baby, LOL!
Congratulations!
Congrats Loren – enjoy your time off!
Congrats Loren! I’m really happy for you. Wish you and Janna a wonderful life ahead.
Congrats to the growing SEJ family!
I love this sort of news,especially unexpected from a site i just subscribe to.
It is great u two are hitching. I really,really wish u all the very best.
Enjoy Mexico. Have the greatest of honeymoons.
From an Aussie! goodonya,congratulations
Oh! Ann,new mom,congratulations
Fantastic,all the best for u and yours for the future.
Dirk
Oh! and while i,m at it, a very merry xmas and prosperous and healthy new year to us all.
Dirk
Congrats Loren! And have some fun, relax, stay offline you deserve it ffs!
Congrats to you too Ann! I’m sure you’ll make an amazing Mom!
Best to you both!
db
Congrats to everyone! Enjoy the vacation and the best of luck to Ann…Hopefully she’ll still be able to post a lot :)
Its great to hear such amazing news around SEJ. I wish you all the best.
“On a professional side of things, Janna is a Database Administrator for an Interactive Marketing company, so if I have a rough day measuring analytics or sales conversions and need to vent, she kinda knows what I’m talking about (and vice versa as my programing, SQL and Visual Studio skills have gotten better with her around).”
Awwww… nerd love ;P lol jkjk. Congratulations Loren!
Congrats also to the new crew here at SEJ.
BTW, I’d love to chat with you privately about the community features you want to build into the redesign, since that’s something I’m looking at for SEO ROI Services too. Hit me up on twitter!
Its really a great news. Congratulation Loren to enter in a new phase of life.
I wish you a happy married life.
So many thanks for all the kind words.
@Ryan, I’ll do my best :)
Thanks to everyone for your best wishes. Janna and I are halfway through our honeymoon and reading all of the great comments and emails that have been sent. This week off has been such a refresher and I am very much looking forward to new and exciting times at SEJ!!