I miss my friends.

Being 20-something sucks sometimes.

There's the bills.
The job (that I love but still).
The RESPONSIBILITIES. 
Bleh.

But then there's living so far from your friends!
My best friends do not live anywhere close and though I speak to them almost everyday via text, email, Facebook, it doesn't replace spending hours with them doing pointless things. Things you only could afford to do when you were in college.

I guess that's why we have vacations.

Don't get me wrong--I love my 20-something life. I'm doing what I dreamed of when I was 14 and going out of my mind. Yet, without my rosy memories of college to look back on--I'd be a sad, sad person.

So if you're in college--IT'S THE FREAKIN' WEEKEND. 
Go enjoy it. Responsibly of course.

And I'll be at the wedding I'm obligated to go to...
P.S Here's a funny:
http://myfriendsaremarried.tumblr.com/post/45495812916/when-someone-tells-me-im-just-like-the-girl-in-27

My best friend's wedding

Do you remember your first movie?

My Best Friend's Wedding was mine. It was the beginning of my love affair with Julia Roberts and that guy with the scar (you know who I'm talking about). I was eight at the time and the movie was not appropriate, like most of my childhood firsts. But that's another post.  

This weekend was literally my best friend's wedding. It was nothing like the movie, though I wish we sang, "I say a little prayer for you." 




I continue to relive the occasion through Facebook by looking through pictures and remembering all the special moments. I hear that weddings go by so fast but this one moved at a precious pace. 

Family and friends absorbed the day in all its glory. And so did the bride and groom. 

These two are especially close to my heart. I can't explain why; I'm not the clingy type but for them, my heart is soft. They are also the reason I will move to Houston in the near future. ;-) 

I had the privilege of standing next to Maize when she said her vows, exchanged rings and worshipped the Lord for the blessing that is Jon and his family. It's a privilege I hope to share with her soon enough, too.

 

 

Now girls, I know I'm skipping something. And I'm hesitating including this in fear of getting labeled as an "overly attached friend." I was scared of losing her pre-wedding. But post wedding, I can tell you that I haven't lost my BFFer and our friendship is no different. 

The girls that lose their friends to their husbands sometimes lose them out of their own selfishness. Don't let that be you. Instead: 

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

Rest in His Peace and path for your life and rejoice in these times of celebration! 

Date night.

Being single isn't easy.

It's even harder if you don't get out and enjoy being single. 

A bestie of mine caught up over wine, martinis, and sushi. Everyone around us were on dates...we decided to have our own date, too.

We talked about family and boys, work and school, reassured ourselves that life was going to be ok though it looks NOTHING like we thought it would.

It's times like these we have to remember to be in the present. We don't know what's ahead, but why dwell on that?! Do your best now and everything else will fall into place.

And while you're waiting, have a glass. 

Ricky.

Note: The author is absolutely aware that she writes way too often about her pets. Unfortunately, she has more contact with them than anyone else. Advance apologies. 


My dog loves coffee.
He's scared of vacuums.

He plays in my sheets then sleeps in them after.
He sits on my toes during dinner and can flip his toy off his nose about a foot high.

And when my best friends aren't close for a hug or late night movie, he is. And for that I'm grateful.

I gotchu.

My college roomie is coming home to me tomorrow. The person I used to spend every day with for three years is now someone I see sparingly. Last Thanksgiving, specifically.

We have a list of things to do during this short weekend.
Dinner
Shopping (duh) 
Photoshoot in bluebonnets
Baking (duh)
Going to sleep to Gilmore Girls (huge duh) 

You know, the traditional stuff.

This girl--we know the ins and outs of each other. We've been there through breakups, transitions, doubts, changes, church changes (it was Baylor), ALL OF IT. And what's even more amazing is I was GIVEN this girl.

Freshman year, I chose to go potluck. I knew no one coming to Baylor (this was a positive thing) and had no other choice. Anyone could have walked through that door on move in day. It could have been a cheerleader from Conroe, Texas. A home-schooled girl from Amarillo. A sorority chick from Austin.
But it was her. This pink-loving, short shorts-wearing, former model from Houston.

I'm proofreading for errors and realize it sounds like I'm in love with her. Well, I am!
She is my best friend and I don't plan on that changing.

Spill the beans.

I'm not sure when it began, but I've also felt the need to cover up my flaws and insecurities. 

When people try to describe me as sophisticated or put together, I silently think, "WHAT?" 

I am not any of those things. If you really knew me, you'd know I'm clumsy, and awkward situation-prone, obnoxious at times and far from poised. 

But the fact that this is little known is not their fault; it's mine.

I don't let the real me show. After all, impressions are everything. 

Earlier this week, I had dinner with a very best friend and felt convicted to tell her one of my biggest secrets. Sadly, she has been my friend for four years and I've covered it up the whole time. I was scared! Nervous. 

What if she doesn't like me anymore? What if she doesn't see me the same? 

She was surprised. "Nincy, you've got to open up about things like this!" 

Can you relate? 

I challenge you to be honest. With yourself and others. Confess your flaws and allow people in your life to really know you! No need to spill the beans all at once (unless you want to, then way to go!).

I don't want to be artificial. 

I keep my relationships few and I want them all to be real. Let them all know the one Nincy--funny and flawed. 

I'm spilling beans all over the place.

Cycle of inspiration

I finally ran 3.1 miles yesterday. It took 40 minutes and a lot of stopping, sipping of water, and yelling at myself. "I CAN'T DO THIS!" "I CAN DO THIS!" In the end, I had Beyonce and the Barenaked Ladies to thank for my ability to finally reach this milestone.

Three miles isn't much for the avid runner but for this couch potato, it is.
It's more than just the length--I've finally convinced myself that I can make it this far. And I need to because I signed up for another 5K for this Saturday.

The influence that peer pressure has is amazing.

My friends are running the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K this weekend and I couldn't be the only person that didn't run! Plus, there's a running jacket and chocolate involved. All I need is an incentive, people.

Last week, Maize, my lifelong BFFer, let me now that she was impressed that I was STILL running and how big of a turnaround from college. Most importantly, she mentioned that I inspired her.

Was she joking? She inspired me to begin with!

I realized how blessed I was to have friends that push me to live better.

Friends to make me run and not just be the skinny girl, but the skinny girl with muscle.

Friends to make me devote time in the morning to just me and God.

Friends to remind me that there's nothing better than getting mail.
And to never underestimate the need to invest in friendship.

Friends to motivate me to cook. (Ahem, work in progress.)

Friends that remind me that there's nowhere better to be but in the hand of God.







The cycle of inspiration continues. I can't take credit for most of my quirks. Perhaps you can't either.
And perhaps, that's the best thing ever.