we’re so grateful

Our third boy, Thomas Raphael Reller, went through a lot when he was born. He had chest tubes, a catheter, a femoral line, and underwent heart surgery. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like for our little boy to have gone through that surgery as such a vulnerable, young age. Today, we’re feeling so blessed and grateful to God and Thomas’ doctors for making sure he came home safe. I can’t describe what it felt like to hold him at home for the first time.

We include his story here because of the tremendous impact this process has had on us and the future of Abigail Reller Art. As he mentioned on the Teacher Shift podcast, Aaron never quite felt the same as a teacher, but if anything, he felt much more aligned to his purpose of father and husband. After a whole lot of prayer and kitchen table discussions, Aaron decided to leave teaching and work for the family business.

The idea that you have to give up on your dreams after having kids is simply not true, y’all. In fact, it was our kids that inspired our business as it exists today. If it hadn’t been for my daughter, Anna Frances, wanting to paint with me while my son, Benjamin, was napping, there wouldn’t be The Grey Collaborative, and if it hadn’t have been for Thomas, Aaron might never have made the move to work full time with Abigail Reller Art.

All this to say: we’re so grateful for each of you who have been with us all this crazy, beautiful journey. We wouldn’t have come out on the other side the same with out all of your prayers and support these past years. All of you have helped make our dream a reality. If you’re new to our story, I really am so glad you’re here! If you have kids, please take a look at The Grey Collaborative experience - if you want to add new life to your home with new art, you can request a commission or browse our current print listings.

From the bottom of all our hearts (big and small), we thank you.