Let me share with you some of my current favorites on this beautiful Saturday.
Favorite song/music video: Both of Us- B.O.B. ft. Taylor Swift
Yes, I'm a typical girl that LOVES Taylor. I think she makes songs that resemble my life completely and as a girl that loves song lyrics, I find meaning to most of her songs. I love this song because I know people that I wish I could be strong enough to have them still in my life. But now I gotta work on me as selfish as that is and eventually if life allows, I will have them in my life again. Plus I think this video is stunning. Not only am I a lover of song lyrics but I love images. Photography is a hidden passion of mine, and I think this video has stunning use of light and filters.
Favorite saying:
Yesterday a girl at work joked with me about my status on Facebook saying I would love to be a beach bum. But I grew up spending every weekend at the beach from early in the morning to dinner time. I love how my hair looks after a beach day. I love the feeling of sand beneath my toes. And I'm totally happy sitting around in a bathing suit chatting with all my friends. My motto in life has been and always will be that there is no problem in life that can't be solved at the beach.
Favorite current trend:
Love letters. I may only see this trend because a girl from town is making a huge difference in the world by writing love letters, but I also really enjoying writing people notes. Holly left me a love note at work which really said how much she disliked me after a crazy day, but it came from the heart. And last summer, we use to write each other tons of love notes and leave them in each others lab coats. Love letters though can make a person feel invincible and be a reference point whenever they are feeling down. They let you know someone really does care and love you no matter what you are going through.
I want to post more on the girl from town later, but I'll leave you with these few favorites of mine before I go enjoy this beautiful Saturday. Enjoy everyone!
Ever have one of those weekends that was so amazing, when you try to put it into words, they don't do any justice to it?
That was this weekend for me. I wish I could account all the wonderful details, but whenever I try, I fail miserably.
Magic Mike. Beach. Patio dinner with the Milford family. Margaritas. Laughing until my stomach hurt with the Milford loves. Prepping for Bar crawl. Celebrating birthdays. Sitting on the grass. Long lost friends. Cake pops. Pictures. Fireworks. Sam Summer. Oomcha Music.
A bunch of words that may not mean anything to anyone else, but it makes me smile to know I had such an amazing weekend.
Today was just one of those days that was perfect in every way. Mom and I headed to the beach, and I really wasn't expecting to see anyone down there. When we first arrived, Patty was there and then slowly everyone came down. And I'm not just talking about a few people, but my Milford family all arrived and I was so happy.
I don't think we have all been together at the beach since we were all little. We all live such busy lives and when we can get together it really is a special treat. The beach and summer has always been a special time as I have stated time and time again, but today was especially nice. The weather was beautiful with the sun shining the whole time and a light breeze to never make it too hot. In fact, Katelyn and I had to put towels over ourselves because we were cold.
It's hard to describe the pure joy I get with spending time with my Milford family. We all have different lives but we are always there for each other. Kate said it best today, "Top ten beach day."
I become the best person I am when I'm with them. I become the real me when I'm at the beach. And if you are lucky enough, you will be able to see it. My Milford family gets to see it every time I'm with them. And I dare anyone to go to a gathering of these wonderful women and not crack up with laughter. Seriously, not possible.
P.S. Ricky was extremely missed on this epic day. Can't wait for our bar crawl, and other fun parties we have planned for the rest of July.
I believe in friendships that turn into family. Always have, always will.
This weekend I went up to Boston for my little sister's birthday. And as some may be scratching their head wondering if I even have a little sister, let me explain. My mother is one of the lucky ones still friends with her high school friends. Yes, I have a whole second family that includes some wonderful women and men and a bond that many people just don't understand.
This family includes Kate, Ricky and Emily. Kate's birthday was this weekend and us "kids" decided to trek up to Boston to help the little one celebrate. We have spent countless hours at the beach, we have had countless meals and hanging out time, and even trips. But a trip of just the kids has not happened until this weekend. To say that we laughed our butts off and made countless memories would be an understatement. I don't think I have had that great of a time in forever.
I can not imagine my life without the four of them. On the ride home last night, I was amazed how much everything fades to the background when we get together and we just are. It's a very rare friendship that this can occur and I am lucky to have that with these kids. Age is no longer a concern and we just genuinely enjoy spending time in each other's company. Words don't seem to articulate the proper feelings I get with these kids. Yesterday we honestly sat in a dorm room laughing about text messages and feeling popular. It wasn't anything special, but Emily and I just got silly over it.
Every single one of them is a beautiful person, and I'm not just saying that because that was one of our countless quotes from the weekend. I really do mean each one of them is beautiful person who cares for those around them and are going to do great things in their life. And I feel very special to call them my family and to be part of that journey in their lives.
There is something I have been wanting to do for the past few years now and when I made the decision to actually do it, it all came down to the remembrance of my Papa. What you shennigans do I want to partake in may you be asking? Simple answer is get a tattoo. Another question you may be asking is how does that tie into my Papa and this very pier? Well that's a simple little story that I really don't share with many but I have decided to share tonight.
My Papa was a very strong man who I watched become very sick and inevitably pass away. He loved fishing in particular this spot and when he passed away the family decided we would have a little memorial service for him in the very spot that he spent most of his time just relaxing and fishing. My Papa was a pretty bad ass dude, and he really loved spending that time by the beach. Now, when we did this little memorial, their were tons of little fishies that were swimming by which to me was a sign from my Papa telling us he was okay even after all the pain he endured at the end. Fishes would not be a good tattoo for me; I don't find them that cute. Luckily at the same time the school of fish went by, a butterfly flew by us. Butterflies aren't weird for spring/summer time. One that comes half way down a pier with water on both sides? I have never seen it before in my life.
This particular moment is not when I had the epiphany of getting the tattoo. But it's the one moment I turn back to when I describe why I'm getting a butterfly tattoo.
Butterflies have become a very important part of my life, whenever I see them, I say hi to my Papa. Sometimes they come really close and become really still. That's when I really know when it's him. When there are two, I know Grandma is saying hello too. Some may think I am absolutely bonkers, and I just may be but butterflies have become a huge symbol of love for me. While some people may just wave it off when I tell them I want a tattoo of a butterfly, I know that my reasoning is bigger then just cause they are pretty.
This above picture is from my cell phone's camera. I can't remember if this is the particular picture that my dad sent me because he knows how much butterflies mean to my mother and I or if I took it one day last summer when I was out front. But it's an actual cell phone picture. This is the particular picture I plan on showing the people when I go for my tattoo. Only difference is I plan on making it blue, for the ocean which always reminds me of my Nana. Nice right? Well, I had been planning on getting this tattoo forever, and wanted to accomplish this bucket list item with my best friend when I went up to Boston to visit her. Since work makes things near difficult, I decided I would go with Meggie and we even got them priced. Sad part is I am huge chicken and refused to make an appointment for myself. Shannon was going to make the appointment for me, I had made plans to get the tattoo for either my birthday or the beginning of March. But then the whole blood clot thing happened, and I was put on blood thinners. Which put a huge hamper in my plans. I can't get the tattoo until I am healthy in regards to my blood clots. But it will happen. I guess with all this time I can now make final arrangements on where this thing is going because I have been toying around with that as well.
Butterflies are one of my favorite things. Not for the conventional reasons, but one that has been very dear to my heart, and a story that I have not really told many people. Of course now it's on this blog for whoever wants to know a little more about me to read about. I'm starting to open up about other things I've decided and not just my health issues because those get depressing. And while this may be a little sad, it's a good story, one that honestly brings me true joy whenever I see a butterfly.
