day 26- what do you think about your friends

Haha what an odd topic, but I am not feeling creative to change it, so I suppose I will write about my friends. Not that I don't love them all, but that should be a given if they are my friends right? So I guess I will give some details! :)

I use to always want to be surrounded by people so I was "friends" with everyone. Through the years things have changed but have realized who my real friends are and while I may not have an abundance, I believe I have the best friends anyone could ask for.

My Iowa friends...oh I miss them. There are a few good friends from HS that I don't get to talk to you often, but think about all the time. There were 6 of us girls who were super close in HS (A, Sarah, Lindsey, Alli and Steph- and me) We had girls nights even when we were in college. They are wonderful. I can't believe how time has past though and by next year 3 will be married! Lindz is in Africa, A has a great job and is buying her own place (wow!) and I am off living in California. We don't talk much and I unfortunately couldn't make it home for Sarah's wedding but as much as we all change and time passes, I know that these ladies will always have a special place in my heart. They knew everything about me at one point and were always super supportive. They often remind me that they think about me and are proud of me, and though times have changed, I am sure the 6 of us could meet up and have the time of our lives once again!


(Here are a few pictures from the past...but most are on discs/hard drive and I didn't want to pull them off...but these make me smile!)

A and I- what we do best...DANCE! 2004 We have been dancing together since 1988!

in Chicago before I moved 2008

Sarah and me...2003 maybe? LP car wash!

Ali, Sarah, A and me 2003 is my guess

Graduation day 2004

Our last sleep over before we went to College 2004

Chicago Besties. When in college I developed 4 very different relationships that are still so very special to me. First there is Marky. Oh Marky Mark and I met in 2005 when a new dance major friend asked if she could bring her friend from HS over for a pasta dinner/So you think you can dance night. WHEW he was a lot to handle and if you asked me that night if he would be one of my closest friends, I would have laughed. But 5 years later (we just had our 5 yr anniversary last month) I would be lost and hopeless without him! He is my sunshine. Marky knows EVERYTHING about me. We try to talk daily (sometimes a few times a day when we are lucky) even if its just for a brief "I love you" Marky supports me so much and loves me with all of his heart.

The night before I moved to Cali 2008

Thanksgiving 2009

May 2010

Coley is another wonderful human. She is so caring and loving and really teaches me to be patient and understanding. Not only that but Coley makes me laugh so much! She cracks me up. We use to do weekly dinner dates at Ma&i and they even knew our order by heart! My favorite time to talk to Coley is when she is shopping or driving because her random outburst put such a smile on my face. Coley is so good at reminding me that she cares.

2008?

Election night 2008

Beans- oh ALLLLYYY!!!- This girl is HILARIOUS! It is seriously impossible NOT to laugh when with her! Beans and I became super close my last year in Chicago. I am not sure even how it happened but one minute I didn't know her and the next minute I would be lost without her. The girl is talented beyond belief and is a true fighter. A daredevil for sure! She doesn't give up and I totally respect her for that. She reminds me to keep pushing and not lose hope. She also reminds me of what a true friend is. Whenever I am feeling down and homesick I could check out a video or look at photos with Beans and I feel so much better. PS this is just an example of how awesome Beans is. Everyone in our "click" had nicknames but her and so when signing a gift to me for my senior concert they decided to mark her as "Beans" since she loves eating her beans. who would have thought that 2 years later thats all I call her!

Performance Spring 2008

JoHo- now JoHo is a special case. JoHo is a Chicago and Cali friend and thank goodness for that. While we don't live uber close (6.5 hours away) knowing she is in the same state is comforting! JoHo and I are another random match up of friends. We danced in a piece together and overnight we became super close. I even moved into the same condo building a few months later. JoHo was always my go to girl. We went shopping together, watched tv (sex and the city!), ate together, got pedicures, and just hung out! We were never high maintenance friends. The simple act of being in the same room together is enough to entertain. I am super lucky because I get to see her once a month when I go to LA for rehearsals. I stay with her and her amazing husband and while I am in rehearsals most of the time we stay up late gossiping, whispering and giggling!

San Francisco 2009

Driving the day before her wedding day

Wedding day 2009! This was right after the ceremony and we were both a hot mess of tears!

SF 2010

Cali buds: I have made some good friends here in Cali. Lots of dance buddies but the really good friends are between Mo, kegan and Paul. Paul is quickly turning into one of my best friends. I know that sometimes it can be hard to tell a boyfriend how you are feeling in fear that they wont understand but Paul and I can not only read each other, we can tell each other anything and we understand. He is really is not only a great boyfriend but an amazing friend. He for sure makes me laugh all the time, we give each other a hard time, debate well together and always support. We are night and day, summer and winter, ying and yang but its so perfect for both of us.

Date Night on a random Friday

Last dinner with my momma and Godmother in August 2010

Fourth of July

Mo is fantastic. She and I were interns at DG the same time and we were each others support while applying for jobs at DG. We go to Yoga together, she teaches me pilates, we have coffee dates often, we talk boys, life, family and work together. We send each other daily emails (at work) to vent when we need to, gossip if there is some or just keep motivating one another. She is my rock at work and for when I need a really great girlfriend to sit over a hot coffee with and just chat.

Summer 2009

in Wine country 2009

Kegan is my gay husband here in SF. He grounds me. Reminds me when to say no and when to keep pushing. He helps me focus on my goal without killing myself. We can so easily have a good laugh together or a good cry. We are neighbors, co-wos and good friends. He is very big brother and such a safety net. If I were to fall, Kegan would go out of his way to catch me.

Disney Land 2009

In a nut shell, I am a lucky girl. I love my friends with all my heart. I wish I could see them more, talk often and live close to them all, I hope they all know they all hold very special places in my heart!