The Beauty of Friendship

I have many friends. I'm not saying this to feel popular or important, but just that even though they may never be mentioned, I feel damn lucky to so many great people in my life.

There are a few friends however that I will forever mention because they have been a part of my life as long as I can remember and I can honestly say that they have helped me become me. I think if you were to add up the laughs, memories,tears, and time that I've spent with these ladies, I'm sure it would add up to most and certainly the better part of my life.


This photo from my wedding shows three of my girls - Gretchen, Christie, and Terri.


Gretchen and I met in 1999 while working for a small software company. I hadn't even been hired yet, but I remember when I met her during my interview that somehow if I got the job, she I would be great friends. Luckily, I got the job!

I don't think we talked much to one another then, but my first memories of Christie were in Dr. Challendar's freshman English class at Longwood College in 1989 (yikes I feel old). One night while making a "pizza run" (which I often did while pledging a campus sorority), I didn't have enough money to pick up the order and Christie who was standing behind me in line said "no problem, I got you covered." Not only did she save me a trip back to my dorm, but she opened the door to a great and loyal friendship that has lasted since that day.

Terri and I never met. She was born into my life. What I mean by that is we are related. Although she is technically my cousin, she has ALWAYS been like a little sister to me. When we were kids, we often spent two or three weeks together in the summers. Recently, I was doing some spring cleaning and I found a letter that she had written me after one of those summers. Basically, it read..."I'm glad we got to spend so much time together this summer, and even though we argued constantly, I love you. You make me laugh." I think that pretty much sums up what it's like to have a sister!

I love you girls...you rock!

Doggie Days

It goes pretty much without saying, but I'm going to say it...I love my dog! Raif is 85lbs of unconditional love!!! He waits impatiently until I come home and can barely hold himself back when I make offers of affection. He groans in appreciaton when I rub his back and returns the favor with loving nuzzles. He conveniently forgets when I've been a bitch and wags his tail so hard his hind end lifts off the floor whenever I enter the room.

These days, my boy has his troubles. Fast approaching twelve years old, he whines quite a bit and has great difficulty getting up in the morning. I fear one day I'll wake up and he will have gone off to the big bone bank in the sky. But until that day comes, I will relish every minute of his fuzzy love.

Babies on the Brain

I think about babies - all the time. I'm sure it has nothing to do with my biological clock reminding me that it is nearly midnight and my uterus is about to turn into a pumpkin. DJ and I have only been married for 6 months (on Sunday) but we've been trying for two months to get pregnant. I don't have any grand ideas that is going to happen right away, but I still can't stop thinking about little baby clothes, which car seat we'll need to get, you know - baby brain. My dear friend Gretchen has a baby boy now and he is a doll. I love being around him, hugging him, laughing with him. I hope ours is as laid back and sweet as little Collin.

Hopefully the stress I put on my parents growing up won't come back to haunt me in the form of my child!

As Time Goes By...

Time flies when you've found the love of your life, have him move in with you, and then marry him! Yep, since the last time I posted, DJ and I got engaged AND married! Planning a wedding was fun, but I'm pretty sure I never want to do it again. Both of us were overwhelmed with the love and support of our friends and family during the six months of our engagement!

DJ proposed during a trip to Peaks of Otter in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I should have known something was going on when he started acting all goofy. I was so overcome that I forgot to say yes and he wouldn't give me the ring until I gave him an answer. It was just as it should have been - sweet and natural.

crazy in love

I love this picture! I think because it was taken in Nags Head & we had such a great time that weekend. It was the first weekend that DJ and I "came out" to some of our friends that we were dating. Usually such a thing is not a big deal, but DJ and I have known each other for sooo long. I just wanted to see how things would work out as we could have just as easily become "friends with benefits" as a real couple.

Now, we are going on two years of blissful coupledom. Did I say blissful?

A One Sided Conversation

Blogging is new to me. I understand the concept, and I've read plenty of other people's blogs, I've just never had one of my own. At this point, I'm not really sure what I want it to be. Do I make it about me and my crap? I'm thinking big SNOOZE. Do I make it about my opinions on politics, religion, or whatever else is on my mind, hoping that some asshole doesn't point out that I haven't a clue what I'm talking about? I don't know yet. So with that in mind, this blog will either surpass my expectations and evolve over time, or it will fade into the blackhole that is the internet because I've grown tired of having one sided conversations.