Girls' Night In

January 24, 2011

My girlfriend Lisa (Alicia) texted a few of us last week letting us know it was high time for a girls' night in. We all have kids and it's not always easy to get away all at the same time, so we decided we'd bring the kids with us to hang out and entertain each other at Lisa's house, and we'd get a little chance to indulge in some girly chattiness. We each brought something to contribute to a taco bar for dinner (super easy, so no one had to stress out about cooking), and let the kids play on the Wii while we sat around the table to do some much-needed catching up. We're all smart girls, so I can't for the life of me figure out why we've never done this before, but we had such a great time that we've decided to make it a monthly event. We all went to high school together, so it's really pretty cool that all of our kids are friends now. Here's to old-school, long-time girlfriends!

With This Ring...

November 3, 2010

We had the privilege this Sunday of watching two of our good friends exchange wedding vows. The weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding, and the bride and groom radiated with love for each other. Michele and Pat, you got lots of advice from the pastor, from your Best Man Bill, and from your Maid of Honor Rosa, so I thought I'd pass along a little advice of my own. Now, I'm no expert, but I can say these things have been true for me:

1. Surround yourself with a great support network. Happy couples have friends who love them, care for them, and support them, together.

2. Never underestimate the importance of family. Good, bad, or indifferent, your family is part of who you are, pieces of your life no one else can replace.
3. While it's important to grow together as a couple throughout your years, it's just as important to take time to nurture yourself. If you are your best you, you've got more to share with the one you love.
4. Dance together. Laugh together. Play together. Talk together. Go out of your way to make your partner smile every day.
5. Never lose sight of the kid in you. Life can be work; life can be fun. Choose to work at making life fun for you both.
6. Be sexy. Be saucy. Keep things new and interesting. Don't lose that, "I can't wait to be close to you" feeling.
7. Kiss each other hello and goodbye, and kiss like you mean it. Hold hands. Tell him you love him. Tell her you love her. Fight fair whenever it comes up (and it will). You can be mad without being ugly. You owe it to each other, and you owe it to yourselves.
8. Be thankful everyday that you get to wake up in the morning and go to bed at night with your best friend.Congratulations, Pat and Michele. May there be many, many happy years together for you.