The Magnolia Story

by Chip Gaines

Flowers to the hospital? After one date? Yes! That would’ve been the chivalrous thing to do. Everyone thought it was rude that you didn’t call after that.

being together.

was perfect just the way it was. I realized

Most things in life are just beyond our planning and our

control.

When it comes to success, fame, money, and all those things people think they want in life, I think a lot of us tend to get it backward. This is one of the lessons I’m thankful for learning on the bumpy road we took before landing ourselves on TV.

Most people think that you start off not thriving.

It was in the middle of all that struggle that I found my true inspiration as a designer—the very thing that so many people seem to be drawn to now that I’ve received this opportunity to share my work with the world.

Kara passed away a couple of months after our visit. Even though I only visited with her for a couple of days, I felt like I had lost a mentor and dear friend. Her example helped ignite a spark in me to see things differently and to live wholly and intentionally for those closest to me. I am thankful our show paved a path for me to meet Kara. She was a gift. People ask us sometimes, “Why the connection? Why are people drawn to Fixer Upper and the way you and Chip interact?” I can’t fully answer that question. I honestly don’t know. But I think—I hope—

that a lot of it has to do with the way we’ve chosen to live our lives. And I hope our example is a good one.

Chip and I both work hard. We continue to make mistakes, and these days we work even harder to learn from them and get better. If I had planned my life, it never would have ended up like this.

I was mad at Chip when he bought that houseboat. I think I had every right to be mad. But the point is that it turned out okay. It turned out better than okay. That stupid houseboat was the catalyst that got us to where we are now.

And no, the dream isn’t about fame and fortune. For me, the dream is that I get to wake up every morning and do what I love with the ones I love.

Well, you could say that about you and me right from the start. You were never looking for the loud guy, and I certainly wasn’t looking for the quiet girl.

Now I look back and go, “If I would’ve ended up with that quiet guy or that stable guy or that safe guy, I would never have been able to pursue any of these dreams, because no one would have pushed me to these new places I discovered in myself.” Those other types of guys might have allowed me to stay in that safe place.

They wouldn’t have drawn you out. That’s interesting. And if I had wound up with some cheerleader who was always the life of the party, I don’t think I would have found my way, either. I needed you for that.

Nowadays when I think about the name Magnolia, I think about it in terms that refer to much more than the blossoming of our business. I think about the buds on the tree, and how they really are just the tightest buds—they look like rocks, almost. And I feel like when Chip and I met, that tight little bud was me. I was risk averse, and in some ways, I don’t think I saw the beauty or the potential in myself. Then I wound up with Chip Gaines and—

You bloomed?

I did. If I hadn’t married Chip, I might not have ever bloomed.

there’s contentment in the journey.

Go and find what it is that inspires you, go and find what it is that you love, and go do that until it hurts.