Welcome to my Little (Gilmore girls) Corner of the World

I've been a Gilmore Girls fan for more than half of my life. 

When I was about 10 years old (I'm 33 years old, or young? now), my parents and I toured Warner Bros. Studios. For as long as I can remember, I was always fascinated with the entertainment scene, especially television, thanks to the Olsen twins and 90s sitcoms. 

There was a new show called "Gilmore girls" that they kept talking about while we were there. They took us on the set of the grandparents' house. Of course, it was in a soundstage, that led to a patio with a fake backdrop to mimic that of a backyard, then we made our way through the living room, saw the dining room and the study, where we saw Rory's portrait hanging on the wall proudly.

They would have been finished with the first season and going into the second season, since it was the summer in between.

I still remember that moment so vividly. In all honesty, I was just excited to be around a real, working movie studio near some of the greats. I was taking it all in, and I'm so glad I did. 

We made our way onto Midwest Street, USA, which you can learn more about on the Warner Bros. website (for location purposes and special events): https://www.wbspecialevents.com/portfolio_page/midwest-street-2/. 

I remember walking through town, taking in all the cutesy facades of stores, a church, seeing the Growing Pains house, a school, and of course, the gazebo in the center of town. I remember falling in love with the gazebo. I stood at the top of the steps and could've sworn I took a photo, but after 20+ years, have never found it. 

We stopped in front of something called Luke's Diner. I distinctly remember my parents telling me to stand in front of the Luke's sign. To which, I'm sure, I rolled my eyes and asked "why? I don't even watch this show."

But, I posed in front of it like a good daughter ought to and it has become one of my most treasured items (more on that later). 

A couple of years later, I stumbled upon a Gilmore Girls marathon of sorts on, then, Fox Family. I started watching it, because I religiously watched the channel back in the day, and would watch just about anything on it.

Just like that, as other Gilmore fans know, I was hooked. I ended up watching all the seasons, though they were on "reruns," but was probably only a season or two behind, until I was caught up. I started watching either at the end of season 4 or early season 5 on the WB/CW network. 

Slowly, I got my mom into it, and we started tuning in on Tuesday nights. It became our 'thing,' and truly did bring us closer together. I've always been close with both of my parents, but of course, my mom and I have a special bond. As an only child, she and I have always fought like sisters, usually over dumb stuff, but always make up. 

To say Gilmore Girls has inspired me would be a huge understatement. Aside from Jesus, my parents and Taylor Swift, it has probably influenced me the most in this life. Amy Sherman-Palladino's writing has been a guiding force in my path and my direction.

It was also that first introduction into the fact that writing for a television show was an actual option for a job, and something I decided I wanted to do. Although, I haven't made it there just yet. 

When the news came around that Gilmore girls would continue without Amy and Dan, it was heartbreaking. But, of course, we were glad the show would live on in some capacity. My parents and I did go back to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, hoping to catch a glimpse of filming. We saw the sets prepped in Stars Hollow, but didn't see any of the actors, unfortunately. Again, more on that later. Can't give it all away the first time around, right? 

Gilmore Girls has been with me through every major milestone, heartbreak, loss, victory. It was there when I transitioned from one school to a new jr. hi, where I didn't really know anyone, had to wear uniforms and it was going to be more of a challenge for me than my former school (not unlike Chilton). It was there when I graduated to high school, then college, as I majored in journalism. While I had already started thinking of journalism, Rory Gilmore's path absolutely confirmed it for me. And then, it was with me as I transitioned into adulthood with my first job. 

And it continues to stay, and evolve with me. And I know it will continue to, as it has for all of us. 

Especially when the "A Year in the Life" reboot took place - this brand new chapter in a new chapter for me. I know I'm not the only one either. 

It's a universal, timeless story in this safe, "little corner of the world," in the fictional, yet very real Stars Hollow, Connecticut. It's a place we know we can always count on, grab a cup of coffee, settle in and have some consistency with our favorite mother-daughter duo. 

I know it's one of those shows that will be with me the rest of the life, in some capacity, and will be the show I share with my kids someday (if I have them). 

For years, I've always wanted to hold a Gilmore Girls page, but just never did it.  I guess, now as I get older, it's a fun little spot on the internet to escape to. Many things in my life, even without intending to, come back to Gilmore Girls. That's the kind of impact it's had on me. 

So, welcome to Oy with the Gilmores, Coffee and Books -- A space that will be for all things Gilmore, from filming locations and stories, to hopefully connecting with others for stories and Q&As, fun anecdotes and trivia, favorite scenes, pop culture fun and imagines, and more. 

That's all for now, 

Shelby