Our Beautiful River White Granite Countertops

September 28, 2015

River white granite countertops with dark veining in the kitchen.


My thoughts and review of the gorgeous River White granite countertops in our kitchen!

Today I'm excited to report that our granite was finally finished up! We've been without a kitchen for a week now and I'm so happy that things are being put back together, slow but sure.

I shared some tips for picking out durable granite countertops and I also shared some granite and quartz countertops that look like marble. I love the look of marble but didn't want to worry about the upkeep. 

I ended up finding a gorgeous granite called River White and I have to tell you, I couldn't be happier with it. It is truly beautiful!

First though, when I decided on the stone I needed to figure out the edge I wanted. Our fabricator offered a bunch of free options and then the more detailed you got the more expensive they were. 

The profile we had on our old kitchen island is an example of a more expensive cut: 
decorative edge on butcher block

I had that IKEA butcher block routered at a lumber fabricator -- a great option if you want more detail on your butcher block. 

It is a beautiful look but I didn't want to do that again because you lose some of your countertop space. It's not much -- about an inch and a half or more along the edge. But if I'm paying for granite I want to be able to use every square inch of that granite. :) 

At first I was going to go with just a basic (slightly rounded) edge until I saw this: 
quarter bevel edge granite

It's called a quarter inch bevel and I liked that it gave it a little detail but didn't take away from the usable space. 

Also, when you look at it next to the more basic option you'll notice it gives the illusion that it's thicker: 
quarter inch bevel granite

The 1/4 bevel is on the right. Isn't that crazy? I thought it looked so much thicker. It's because the light catches that bevel and tricks the eye a bit. 

So last week the install happened and it took much longer than I expected -- there was a lot of detail work that went into getting them installed. I was so nervous to go check out the first slab down but when I did I was THRILLED. Oh my goodness, they are just gorgeous

The installation gets a little stinky. I think it's the epoxy and your room will stink for a few hours so open some windows. I stayed out of their way the whole time so I didn't get many pics, but this part was interesting: 
how to install granite seams

Those are the tools they use to pull the seams crazy tight. They suck to the counters and then pull them together. We were only supposed to have one seam at the sink, but ended up with two seams. I wasn't thrilled about that but after the fact you can't even tell there's one till you look for it. 

Unfortunately they broke the piece next to the sink so we had to wait another five days (over the weekend) to get that installed -- that went in today (another reason for the late post). I was frustrated about that but in the end it was so worth the wait!

I am over the moon about having an undermount sink!: 
black granite sink undermount

We used our old granite sink that we installed about four or five years ago. It is one that can be undermounted (I looked for that when I shopped for a new sink way back then) and I think that's what I'm most excited about (other than the granite being beautiful). It will be fantastic to just wipe crumbs into the sink!

Some of you have asked if we were going to put a big farmhouse sink in. I do love them! I just didn't want to deal with changing up the base cabinet to work with one. Also, I may be one of the last people on Earth who still likes having two sinks instead of one big one. I like having a separate, smaller sink for clean dishes.

The only seam we were supposed to have was here and you can only see it if you look: 
seam on sink granite

Like I said, we ended up having another one but it's not a big deal once they pull it all together.

Here's a better look at the granite close up:
river white granite review

This River White granite is from India and most of the time has low variations on a white background.

It can appear lighter in some areas like above and then some has more clusters of red mineral deposits:
river white granite detail

I mentioned last week my only concern was that the small deep burgundy flecks sometimes look purple -- but I noticed in natural light are definitely more brown in color. Thankfully our kitchen gets a ton of natural light! 

I actually LOVE those spots! They are what make it so beautiful and unique. 

This River White countertop can be used on exterior projects and is frost resistant!

This granite has so much movement but it's subtle movement -- I didn't like the stones with bigger designs. Also, when the light hits it there are bits that light up like glitter. :) I'm so glad I ended up going with the polished instead of honed granite. 

A few answers to questions about this granite countertop material:

Q.  Does River White Granite stain?

No -- if you seal it well from the start this material will resist stains and scratches well. It holds up well to spills of any kind and does not etch like marble.

Q. What are the options for the finish on these granite counters?

You can use a polishing process like we did to create the shiny, more modern look. This also helps to fill in any tiny cracks or pits as well. You can also get it in a honed finish, which will be matte, or a leather that is matte and has some texture.

Q. How much does River White granite cost?

The cost depends on so many details -- the finish, the thickness, and the bevel you choose are a few. Overall you can expect this granite to range anywhere from $35 to $55 a square foot.

Here's another shot to show you how light it is -- but it still has so much color to it, which is what I wanted. I didn't want bright white: 
river white granite counters

The faucet still isn't installed but they said it would be fine to put it in later today. (We are using our old faucet as well.) I'm crossing my fingers we'll have a working kitchen again by this evening. 

I wanted to wait till these went in to decide on the cabinet paint colors and within seconds I knew what I was doing. The lower cabinets will be Peppercorn (like on the island) and the uppers will be white: 
building cabinets up to ceiling

The gray Peppercorn will go beautifully with the granite. I cannot WAIT! I adore contrast and love using gray and white in our home. It feels surprisingly warm when you find the right gray. 

Here's a before of this view a couple weeks ago (before I built the uppers and the new counters were finished): 
dark cabinets gray island

And now -- my vision is coming together!: 
river white granite dark cabinets


We need to have some drywall patched up and then I can get moving on the tile -- that's my next project! It's really coming along and I really could not be happier. 

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Comments

  1. I know your post is about the kitchen....which is lovely. But I am so sorry about kitty. I also have a 16 yr old Maine Coon, and he is my lovey boy. I get sick thinking about saying goodbye (we also have had him 15 yrs) so I can just imagine the hole in your heart right now. RIP, kitty.

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  2. I'm sorry to hear about your cat - he was very handsome and seemed well-loved.

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  3. Oh Sarah, I'm so sorry to hear about your furbaby. Big hugs to you.

    Your granite is gorgeous and I really like your idea for contrasting uppers and lowers. What backsplash are you thinking of?

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  4. Awww so hard to loose an pet! So so sorry :( I know you are happy about the counters though.. I think I told you already, but we got the River White also just a few weeks ago and I love it like crazy :) It's coming along!

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  5. This is going to look fabulous! Can't wait to see the finished kitchen.

    Sorry you had to put your cat down. Losing pets is hard; it's basically losing a member of the family. My condolences.

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  6. Love the idea of the contrast, and I love gray. It's really is the best neutral. Are you using a sprayer or painting it by hand? Also, what backsplash style are you going with?

    My apologies about your beloved pet, that really sucks. :(

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  7. Your granite is beautiful!

    So sorry about your kitty, I know the sadness of losing a pet :'(

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  8. Hello Sarah, this is my first comment here, but I have been following via rss for awhile now. Just had to reach out for this post.
    I am so sorry to hear about your cat. I know that must be devastating. I dread the day when my girls (dogs) reach that point.

    On a lighter note, I love the granite choice. I will have to keep this one in the back of my mind for a future redo. :-)

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  9. I am so sorry about your kitty. I know it really stinks. We lost our Maine Coon cat after 15 years too. :-(

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  10. So sorry about your kitty, Sarah. It's never easy to lose a furry member of the family - especially one that has been with you for so long.

    I'm in love with the granite, and it's already looking so bright in there, even without the cabinets painted. The two toned look is going to be perfect in there!

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  11. Sarah, the granite is beautiful and I agree your colors will be perfect. Am curious to see what kind of tile you are using for the backsplash and how high you go up with it.

    I am so sorry about your kitty. Our 7-yr old kitty, Simon, got suddenly sick this summer and passed away within 24 hours. I know how tough it is to lose your furry family member. Take care.

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  12. Your kitchen is amazing and I cannot wait to see the painted cabinets! My heart is with you for the loss of your sweet kitty. Hugs!

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  13. Hi Sarah-

    So sad about your kitty. We've had to say goodbye to several, including one we had for 19 1/2 years! It never gets any easier...they all seem to find their way straight to your heart!

    I love your granite choice. I'll have to keep this in mind for the future. :)

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  14. So, so sorry about your kitty. I said goodbye to one of my babies 2 weeks ago. It was SO hard, and I miss her like crazy. Her brother is still with us, but ... there's definitely a certain feeling gone from our home. I miss her terribly. *huge hugs*

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  15. Sarah I am so sorry about your Kitty. Those little stinkers leave paw prints on our heart and as long as one person remembers them, they will never die. To me the best way to honor any pet we lose is to get another one so we can share the love we had for them with another. When the time is right, I hope you will share your love. Again, I truly am sorry.

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  16. Sorrow and joy, my condolences to the loss of your kitty cat, I know how they become family and it breaks your heart when they leave. :( I'm so sorry. Your countertops however are AMAZING ! Love them, this kitchen is going to be showstopper!
    xo
    Kate

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  17. So sorry to hear about the passing of your sweet kitty. I lost my cat more than two years ago and I still miss him. Hugs.

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  18. I am sorry for your loss. One of my friends had a Maine Coon and they are so sweet. Your granite looks great! Isn't it fun when a project looks like you pictured it in your head. I love my undermount sink. We are in the process of starting a cabin in Georgia and I will have a farm sink there. I will see which I like best.

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  19. I'm so sorry about your kitty :( you are in my thoughts! xo -stephanie

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  20. So sorry to read about your kitty! I still miss my first dog I lost three years ago. On another note that granite looks so pretty in your kitchen...looks like it was a great choice!

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  21. So sorry for the passing of your beautiful kitty. The countertops look beautiful. I am loving all the changes.

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  22. So sorry for your kitty loss. It is so painful...

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  23. My sympathies over the loss of your beloved kitty. Maine Coons are such special cats. It's hard to say goodbye no matter how many wonderful years you've shared with them.

    Sue

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  24. My heart is sad for your family & the loss of a furmember!! Your kitchen looks amazing!! I know you're painting the cabinets, BUT i just love the counters with the cabinet color now, I can only imagine the WOW after!! :)

    Paige.Rose
    from
    www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com

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  25. I'm a self-professed, knuckle-dragging Neanderthal - we have a dishwasher that works reasonably well but I still prefer to hand-wash. It gets the kitchen cleaner quicker and allows me to re-use the same basic tools again and again, so I don't have to store a dozen different skillets and pans.

    So that said, I still love my double undermounted sinks! Wouldn't dream of not having them!

    When I finally pull the trigger on bathroom upgrades, I'll be going with kitchen-height cabinets topped by granite countertops with undermount sinks. Vessels and such are pretty, but I prefer hard-working over wow.

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  26. I'm sorry for the loss of your kitty. We currently have five 4-legged children. I don't know what I'll do when they "go off to college." Just try to remember how much joy he brought you. I have always enjoyed his occasional appearance on your blog. My thoughts are with you.
    Lisa

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  27. Sarah, so sorry to hear about your beautiful cat. So hard to lose a furry friend. They leave such a void in your life. We lost our beloved dog a month ago and it's still so painful so my heart goes out to you.

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  28. I am so sorry that you had to put your beautiful cat to sleep. It is both the hardest and the kindest thing to do. They leave a big paw print on your heart!
    Love the new counter top! I, too, long for the day I get to put in new ones and cannot wait to have an undermount sink. To be honest, I never understood why someone would get a single sink. I cook a lot and I would go nuts with a single sink. Looking forward to seeing your kitchen completed!

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  29. Hi Sarah, I am sorry to hear about your beloved cat, we are about to get to this decision with our sweet old westie who's name by the way is also Sarah and is the sweetest funniest little bundle of joy...she is coming up to 15 years old and has cancer....she has had it for a year and now we know we are getting to the point where we shall have to make that horrible decision. I feel for you I really do..its never easy especially when the animals come to you at a crazy time in your life and lift your spirits with all their unconditional love! We have 3 other animals in the house, 2 rescue cats and a puppy that was thrown over our garden wall...but Sarah is the oldest. You know what gets me is that they seem so young for so long then all of a sudden they are old and it goes so quickly, you never notice until one day you look and they have aged without you seeing it!

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  30. So sorry for the loss of your kitty. Went through the same thing last December with our cat of 20 1/2 years ! ( yes!) But we still miss her so !
    Love the kitchen . . . we are building a new house and you always give me things to think about....
    or change!! ( Yikes!)

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  31. I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. It is so difficult to say goodbye to our pets. Their live for their owners is so strong and unconditional. It hurts. Your kitchen us looking marvelous!

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  32. So sorry to hear about your kitty. We know the pain of losing a pet too. They are family! On a lighter note, your kitchen is beautiful! Love your granite choice -- you are soooooo talented!

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  33. I'm so sorry for your loss. I am reading this with my 12.5 year old Maine Coon on my lap.

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  34. I'm so sorry for your loss, Sarah. He was a beautiful cat and how lucky you both were to find each other!
    Sofia

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  35. I'm so sorry about your kitty :(

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  36. I'm so terribly sorry about your little kitty - it's so hard to say goodbye to a beloved pet.
    Hugs.

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  37. Your granite choice is lovely. I love my granite. It's been in for 5 years now and I still love it. It is so easy care. Once a year my husband spreads a sealer over top and rubs it in. Done! I can put anything on it ( hot or cold) , nothing leaves a stain ( which would drive me batty) and it has not one mark of any kind. Perfection in my mind.
    Sorry to hear of the passing of your cat. They are part of the family and cause just as much heart ache when they're gone.

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  38. I am so sorry to hear about your sweet kitty. I totally understand. Our 17-year-old dog passed away at the end of June, and I know how hard it is to lose a furry family member. I am sure your other kitties will sense the sadness and give you some extra love.

    Your countertops are beautiful. I am just picturing how lovely it is going to be with the painted cabinets!

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  39. I am sorry to hear about your kitty also. My daughter recently had to have her little dog put to sleep. It is
    never easy.
    I also picked River White granite for my kitchen and love it- so I was excited to see you had also chosen
    it!

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  40. So sorry to hear about your kitty boy. Never easy to say goodbye.

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  41. Aww, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your furbaby! Virtual hugs. They are family and it is indeed hard. Your kitchen is looking really pretty.

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  42. It makes my heart ache when I hear of a beloved pet of so many years passes on. Sincere sympathy to you all.

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  43. I too am so sorry Sarah about your kitty. I just remember how hard it was to have to have our black mini cocker put to sleep at little over 14 yrs. She was such a wonder in our lives, we got her at little over 4 months and both felt she was meant for us.
    I had a client when I was a senior companion that had a Maine coon cat, he was so sweet and loving. Whenever I'd go to get my client he'd jump on my shoulder, give me loves. Client said he never did that for him. Think animals really know when people love them. He was so cozy to hold with all that fur.
    Now your counters, I should be jealous but you work so hard in your home you deserve good things for your home. Your granite is indeed gorgeous and from how your post sounds you will enjoy them.
    Happy week

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  44. I am so sorry to hear about your cat, we lost our 13 year old dog this month and it truly is heartbreaking. It sounds like you two shared a wonderful life!! And I love your new counters, we just had granite installed last week and here in Aruba they don't use anything to pull the pieces together tightly, I am envious of your seems. Haha

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  45. Oh Sarah, I'm so sorry. We had a Maine Coon years ago and I know exactly what you mean about being beautiful inside and out, he was the absolute sweetest. Of course I still remember taking him in, and all these years later it still brings me to tears, my heart aches for you and your family. xoxo Pam

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  46. So sorry about your cat, may he rest in peace ♡

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  47. Sarah,
    I'm so sorry about your kitty. It sounds like he had a long, happy life. You provided him with a warm, safe home and I'm sure he felt loved. He looks like such a sweet and content cat. I'm glad you had each other for 15 years.
    -Erin

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  48. I am so sorry that you lost your cat. It is a very difficult thing. He was gorgeous.

    The counters look amazing! I will have to go back and see if you mention what type of sink this is. I need a new sink and like the 2 bowls as well. I want it deep like this and was thinking about not getting stainless steel this time.

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  49. Aww. So sorry for your sweet kitty. I have 3 that are not doing well. It's so difficult loosing a dear pet- family member.they really are family. 😻I love how your kitchen is looking. Mine needs updating soo badly. Love the granite. Did you look at quartz? I'm still a granite lover!!!

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  50. Awww. I'm so incredibly sorry to hear about the loss of your kitty. They really are members of the family, and their absence in our homes and lives is so noticed. Take care of yourself. Allow yourself to cry as much as you need to, or binge eat as many Halloween chocolates as you need :)

    I absolutely LOVE the granite you chose. I'm normally a fan of Cambria quartz, but WOW your granite is really stunning. It'll look So good with the colours you've chosen for your uppers and lower cabinets!!!!

    -V
    The Homo Hausfrau

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  51. Sarah, I am so very sorry about your sweet kitty. We have lost five Scotties, so I feel your pain. I am a firm believer that they will have a spot in heaven and we'll get to see them again. Sending you hugs.

    I do love how your kitchen is coming along, and I do love your granite. You have such good taste, and I am truly enjoying watching this kitchen develop!

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  52. Sarah, I am so sorry about your beautiful kitty. I had tears reading your post and I have been there myself. Our pets certainly do enhance our lives and as a fellow cat lady, I so understand your heartbreak. I don't usually comment but I am a faithful reader who loves everything you do and feel like we are friends. =) Hugs to you for kitty and your kitchen is looking awesome!

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  53. Sarah so sorry to hear of your furry family member moving on. As a feline Mom with two post Hurricane Charlie rescues, I can empathize with your pain. I hope as time passes the memories will give you comfort...

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  54. Hugs to you regarding the loss of your Maine coon. Ours had a tooth extraction on Monday so we've been giving her extra love this week. We have two cats that are 17, two that are around 15, and one around 2. The oldest two are definitely struggling more the past few months. As much as it annoys me when I can't find a spot to sleep on my own bed, I know it will feel empty without them when the time comes. :(

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  55. Sarah, I'm just now getting around to reading some late posts from my favorite bloggers. I am deeply saddened by the loss of your favorite kitty. I know what it is like to loose those special boys. My thoughts are with you.

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  56. Sarah, I am so sorry about your kitty. Our 19 year old kitty died 2 years ago and I still miss him so much.

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  57. Sarah, I am so sorry about your kitty. Our 19 year old kitty died 2 years ago and I still miss him so much.

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  58. I had to put my sweet 17 year old Maine Coon on the 29th. Just like your description, our kitty was doing pretty well up until 48 hours before. She was the best cat I've ever known and it's surreal that she's gone. So unfair that we outlive our pets!!

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  59. So sorry to hear about your four-legged kid. :(

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  60. We just love our 15-year-old kitty, too, so I'm totally there with you. I'm glad you have something in your home to brighten these days.

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  61. Do you still have your River White countertops? I am seriously considering getting some for my kitchen, but I'm worried about them staining with butter/oil or food in general. Did it discolor over time at all?

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    Replies
    1. We have since moved, but I've seen them at our old house and they look amazing! We got a very similar granite in our new house and it looks great. Just make sure they are sealed well (many installers will do this for you).

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THANKS so much for reading!