At the end of each day, just before you go to bed, take about thirty seconds to look out your bedroom window at the stars–remember your place in this world and don’t you for one second let yourself get lost in it. Then, take some time to remind yourself that what you’re going through now will pass and it WILL get better; everything heals with time.
Remember that even on your darkest, most horrible of days, those days when you feel utterly and helplessly alone, underestimated, unappreciated, and unloved, remember that you’re NOT. Remember that somewhere out in this great big world, somebody loves and appreciates you oh so much, perhaps even more than you’ll ever know. Furthermore, realize that there’s at least one person out there that’s dying to meet someone just like you. Yes, you. You, even with your frizzy hair, big nose, glasses, and not-so-flat tummy. You, with your awkward smile, embarrassing laugh, and that corny sense of humor that you think that no one could ever love.
You are appreciated and wished for and brilliant, each and every one of you.
Above all else, though, take the time at least once a day to remind yourself that you’re beautiful–inside and out. Don’t let the way others judge you affect how you judge yourself; don’t let your mistakes and your past define you; and don’t let anything, ANYTHING hold you down.
Remember you are a wonderful person and you have the potential to go so very far. You are amazing just exactly how you are, flaws and all. You don’t need to every change for anyone but yourself.
Each and every one of you is worth so much more than you know..and if you ever, EVER start to forget or doubt any of that, read this again. You know it’s true; now, it’s time to embrace it.
It’s been a while but I have a big, huge, epic ’Thing that made me go “hmm” to share with y’all today.
Hey, it’s your wedding, so you can sing Christina Aguilera if you want to.
That apparently was the choice of one bride recently, who decided to memorialize her walk down the aisle by singing “The Right Man” by my favorite genie in a bottle, one Miss Christina Aquilera. In what might be one of the most unique (and somewhat awkward) ways to make the last leg of the journey to the altar that I’ve seen, Marie Carr sultry serenaded the tune to Devin, her husband-to-be as she made her way toward him.
I have two takes on this ‘Hmm’. When I first saw the video, I thought ‘holy awkward turtle, Batman.’ My face began to turn a lovely shade of red and I felt uncomfortable not only for her, but for all of their friends and loved ones in the audience as well her husband to be–especially in the end when she was just inches from his face, looking lovingly into his eyes as she belted out the last few words of the song. I would have broken out in fits of LOL’s and LMFO’s, probably ruining my make-up and perfectly quaffed hairdo in the process. Don’t get me wrong; I am all for being creative and making an event, especially one as monumental as your wedding day, something to remember, but I thought that this might have been just a tad too much.
Despite it’s awkwardness, I do think it was really sweet. The bride went out of her way to not only tell her husband to be how much she loved and cared for him, but she showed him through song. I have to give this gal a lot of credit; I don’t think I would have had the courage (or the voice) to do something this cool, even if I was chocolate wasted prior to.
This video got me thinking about other over the top, crazy and sometimes silly grand gestures that people sometime perform for others, whether it be as a gift, a romantic surprise or a random and spontaneous occurrence.
One of the most memorable grand gestures that anyone ever did for me was when I was in the sixth grade. One bumping Saturday night, a bunch of my friends and I went to the hotest hangout spot in Wausau, the roller skating rink (shout out to High Roller). Jason, my ‘boyfriend’ at the time (when you were 12, your boyfriend/girlfriend was the person who you sat with at lunch, danced with at the Spring Fling and got your parents to drive you to and from the latest flick Toy Story 2 at the movie theater) decided to get his buddies together and pool all of their tickets won from endless Skee ball and Wack-A-Mole games so that he would get me a necklace. It took him nearly all night, and probably cost him a fortune in silly tickets, but he got me that necklace. It was one of those corny, cheap, gold-that-turns-your-skin-blue-whenever-you-wear-it pieces of jewelry, but to me, it was beautiful, priceless, the most gorgeous thing I had ever had. It wasn’t the necklace itself, but the work and effort and thought that went into getting the corny, cheap, gold-that-turns-your-skin-blue-whenever-you-wear-it piece of jewelry that really made it special. You want to know a little secret? I don’t have a great deal of jewelry, but I still have that cheap High Roller necklace
I made a list of some of the most popular grand gestures and what I think about them. If you have any others to add to my list and/or want to comment on what I have so far, please do! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear your thoughts
1. Sky writing: I am ALL for this! I think it’s a creative and surprising way to show someone how much you love or care for them. The negatives: it can cost an arm and a leg to do, you have to be sure to have the intended recipient in just the right spot at just the right time which can be tricky, and there’s always the chance that you get a pilot who does not have spellcheck.
Fail.
2. Jumbo Tron: I have always had a secret dream of getting proposed to at a Brewer game on the big screen. I know, I know. Completely cheesy. It would take a special kind of guy to have the guts to do such an over-the-top gesture, a guy I would most definitely say ‘I do’ to. Of course not all gals are like me and would run for the hills if such a course of action was taken. Advice for all the dudes out there: really get a feel for what your girl likes and if getting down on one knee on the top of the eighth, bases loaded, with two outs and a full count in NOT her thing, I would maybe think of something else. Another jumbo tron gesture…the infamous kiss cam which in my opinion is the greatest thing ever invented. The moment when that camera captures two complete strangers, a brother and a sister, a couple who has been married for 70 years and that completely bathos look comes across their face and they wonder ‘do I or don’t I?’, that moment is the best!
3. The Live band or violinist at dinner: Not a fan. I love music but when a guy is standing over my shoulder as I am stuffing my mouth with steak and mashed potatoes, yeah…not exactly romantic. I also don’t know whether I should keep eating or be polite and wait until they’re done. or if I should smile or laugh or get up and start dancing (which is SO something that I would do by the way to make things even more NOT awkward).
4. There’s a ring in my cake!: Surprising your girlfriend/boyfriend with the ring in a piece of food can be romantic and is definitely surprising but there can be some downfalls to this gesture. First, you run the risk of your gal/guy choking. Not the best way to start an engagement in my opinion. Secondly, there is a very specific and exact timing and presentation issue that you have to follow and be sure to adhere to, which if you’re willing to do, go for it! And thirdly, whether it be your caesar salad or your chocolate souffle, no matter what it is you are sticking that rock into, it will get dirty and sticky. Tasty sure, but dirty and sticky.
5. Flash Mobs: LOVE!!!!!
6. Surprise Parties: I liked to be surprised, especially when it comes to getting my party on but I know there are a lot of peeps out there who would flip their lid if they were ambushed by their friends and family wearing party hats and throwing confetti. I have never been surprised but I have done my fair share of doing the surprising and I think that is even more fun. it is a lot of work, and it takes a lot of planning and strategizing, but the look of the person’s face, the shock and utter excitement (for most people) is totally worth it!
And finally…
7. Written poems/songs: Anything that comes from the heart, that is creative and funny and cute, that takes time and consideration and a real understanding of the person is A-Okay in my book! As long as it isn’t a get-back-at-my-ex, Taylor Swift, Dear John type ballad (although that D-bag totally had that coming to him!).
A gesture, whether big or small, is such a great way to show someone, a friend, a sister or brother, a boyfriend or girlfriend, how much you love and care for them. If it will make someone’s day, I may even consider belting out a Christina song (ear muffs for everyone near by will be provided).
Questions of the day: What do you think of this bride’s grand gesture?
What are some grand gestures that you have made/been given?
…GETTING ALL DOLLED UP AND TAKING GOOFY PICTURES!!!
I love…
CUPCAKES!!!
I love…
…LOVE
The biggest congratulations to my friends Adam and Katie!! May God bless the both of you as you turn the page and begin this very amazing and wonderful new chapter in your lives! I couldn’t be more happy and excited for you!!!!
All of these things can only mean one thing: It’s wedding season my friends.
It seems as though this has been the summer of weddings for me. It has been a little over 8 years since I’ve received an RSVP invitation dressed in lace, asking if I want the chicken or the fish, but this year, I’ve been hit with one after the next after the next. It’s funny how that usually happens. Not only have I attended many a wedding this year, but I have also gotten news of friends who have become engaged and are starting to plan for their ‘big day’. I couldn’t be more happy and excited for everyone who is about to embark on such a wonderful and exciting new chapter in their lives.
I love wedding season (and not just because of all of the free consumable cake that is available). I love the feeling of love in the air, the happiness, the vows and the promises. I love the way the groom looks when he sees his bride walk down the aisle towards him for the first time. I love the way the father looks as he gives away his baby girl for the last time. Call me a hopeless romantic, but in an age when the survival rates for marriage are at an all-time low, I still want to believe in the happy ending, the fairy tale, the ever-after. I want to believe that after 60 years, a husband and wife will still look at each other with that same spark and passion they first had oh so many years ago, just two best friends who shared (and are sharing) an amazing love and life together.
All of this talk of marriage and love got me to think about a lot of things about my own life. Now that sooo many friends of mine (most of which I have known since our days on the playground) are getting ready to or already have walked down the aisle, I am beginning to feel kind of old. In the grand scheme of things, 24 is still quite young for sure; I don’t feel that old (and most definitely don’t look that old, seeing as I was carded just the other night at the theater when I went to see an ‘R’ rated movie–if I had a dollar for every time that happened…). I always laughed at my parents and grandparents when they would tell me to enjoy my youth because the older you get, the faster time passes. I didn’t understand what they meant until now; I can’t help but feel the years just slipping by on me, a day here, a month there. I sometimes worry that if I don’t hit pause on the proverbial remote control of life every once in a while, I will miss out on some of the most important experiences that can happen in a person’s life. It made me realize that yes, my job and career are important, but there is SO much more to life than that, so much more.
I know it’s not fair for me to compare myself to others, after all, everyone’s life course has many different roads and paths, each uniquely and specially carved for them, but sometimes I can’t help but look at my life and those of my friends who are about to start this next chapter in their lives and wonder if maybe I am missing out on something, if maybe I am not doing something right or ‘normal’. I know for a fact that marriage for me right now would be way too soon; I still have so much to learn about myself, things to do and see and experience, before taking that next big step. Even though I am a bit jealous that they have found ‘the one’, that the days of bad dates and even worse blind dates are over, that they will come home to someone to walk the dog and go to Brewers games with, that they have their best friend at their side after suffering through an “Office Space” kind of day, I still am having too much fun being on my own and single in the city. I am no Carrie Bradshaw by any means fashion is simply not a word that exhists in my vocab), but I am enjoying my independence just as she did in the big NYC. I like knowing that the next time I am in the Starbucks or at the beach, I might just meet my Mr. Big. Or not. But it’s the freedom and thrill of now knowing which makes it exciting.
I have most certainly loved before, but I am not sure if I have ever been in love; to have that feeling of constant butterflies in your stomach, to wake up and go to bed with the first and last thing on your mind being that special person, to feel comfortable enough to share anything with (including that award-winning belch you let go right after downing a Coke and pepperoni pizza). I look forward to the day, whenever that may be, and whoever that may be with, when I too will be able to do those things.
I guess what I have come to realize is that though many of my friends are starting the next chapter of their lives (which is great), I still have a lot more to write in my current one. I want to make sure that this is the best book ever written, every detail and experience and event included, which may involve some serious description and page-writting. There may be a few broken hearts along the road, but you know what, those are the things that make life interesting, that help you to learn and grow and which make you a stronger person in the end. It’s all a part of growing up, which at 24, I am doing.
So bad dates? Bring ‘em on!
Fun afternoons kicking back with friends (even though I might be the third wheel) at the park? Count me in!
Doing and trying new things, whether I am alone or with someone, just…because? Sign me up!
Afterall, I have got some serious writing to do!
P.S. Congratulations to Brandon and Amanada Black who I was lucky enough to see become husband and wife this past weekend and a future congrats to Ben and Chelsie Tilkens who are doing the very same this upoming weekend! I am sooooo happy for both of these amazing couples, wishing a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness :)
Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means you stand alone.
Give of yourself. My dad always manages to find time to help others and in doing so has taught me, or rather shown me, what selflessness truly means.
Pee before you leave.
Don’t be afraid to throw like a boy.
Laugh at yourself. My dad taught me the importance of being goofy. He’s never afraid to be silly or laugh at himself. After all, it’s that sense of humor that makes life a lot more fun!
Develop a good golf swing.
The secret to grilling a good steak is all in the charcoal.
Be punny. One of my favorite things I’ve learned from my dad is the art of a well-placed pun. He taught me that no matter the situation, there’s always room for a joke — the cornier, the better.
Have a little faith.
Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers. I’ve watched my dad make countless connections through casual, friendly chitchat throughout his life. As a teen I would cringe as he struck up conversations with complete strangers — something I was too shy to do. However, I saw time and time again how just a 5-minute talk could turn into new and valuable knowledge, an entertaining invitation, or even a lifelong friendship.
If you happen to pass wind, blame it on the dog.
There is no secret to success. When I was 18, I asked my dad, “What’s the secret to success?” His answer was far simpler than I expected. “There is no secret,” he said. “Success is equal parts hard work and accountability.” Now that I’m an adult, I understand how he truly embodied this ideology. He was always a blood, sweat, and tears sort of man who could always be counted on. There are no secret paths or easy roads to success, but hard work and accountability are helping me become the woman I want to be.
Be kind.
Enjoy the ride. The most important thing that I learned from my dad was not to take myself too seriously. No matter what he and I are talking about or what we are doing, laughter is always involved. So many people spend so much time focused on trying to be perfect instead of just relaxing and enjoying the little moments that make life so special. He also taught me how to ignore the “what ifs”. What’s the point of life if you can’t have a little fun?
Never let go of the clutch too soon.
Never give up. My Dad taught me not to quit when it gets tough, and that even if people say you can’t do something, the only one who decides that is you!
Love with your whole heart.
Thank you dad for passing on your wisdom and valuable life lessons, for always being there for me, for believing in me, for cheering me on, for making me laugh and for making me the person I am today. I love you oh so much!
This Father’s Day, be sure to give your dad a hug, maybe toss the ball around in the backyard or go fishing. Whatever you decide to do, let him know how much you appreciate all that he has done for you!
Anybody who knows me knows that I love my four-legged and furry friends. Growing up, I always had a dog to play with, cuddle with, share my secrets with and give my brussel sprouts to under the table. There is just something about the bond between a dog and its owner that you cannot describe. It runs deeper than a friendship; it is an unspoken pact, an understanding of one another, a love so true and pure that nothing could come between it.
I love that I moved into a new city and started the next exciting chapter in my life, but one of the things that I dearly miss everyday is being greeted/hugged/slobbered/followed/snuggled by my pup Thunder. I had to make the difficult choice to leave him with my parents and although I know he has a great home, I still feel like part of me is missing. Thunder, like all dogs, really become part of the family and it’s hard when you can’t see them as often as you would like. I am hoping though that once I get settled, I will eventually get my own furry roommate, possibly a rescue dog or one from the humane society.
Thinking about my beloved pups (and of dogs in general) got me to think about all of the valuable life lessons that they have taught me and shared with me along the way. People, it’s true, can teach dogs many a trick, but what some may not know is how much a person can learn from a dog. Dogs are full of life; they have a carefree attitude, believe in the notion of possibility and are fully trusting and loyal. They don’t take life for granted and live with a zest for life.
Here are some lessons from our furry friends that we could all start to incorporate into our daily lives, no bones about it!
Sharing is caring.
Fight for what you believe in.
Get all gussied up every once in a while. (My cutie-pa-tutie pup Thunder in his Christmas best.)
Laugh every day.
Its okay to eat ice cream every once in a while, really.
Smile like you mean it.
Play! Who knew Thunder was the next David Beckham?
Relax and take a load off. My very first dog Metoo (special name for the most special of dogs).
A kiss makes everything better (although next time remind me to give him a tic-tac).
Don’t be afraid to jump into the unknown.
Don’t be scared to look silly.
Naps are your friend (my friend Diana’s pooch Wembley knows how it’s done).
Remember to say please and thank you (couldn’t you just eat Thunder up as a puppy).
You might have to dig yourself out of a hole every once in a while. And that’s okay. (Metoo’s brother Shadow; a great pal, superb digger and an even better climber of fences–I’d love to share some of the crazy stories this fella got himself into).
Stay active.
Learn something new everyday.
I think I am going to start taking some of this advice right now, starting with a nap and a bowl of ice cream…err after I learn something new at work and go for an active run that is :)
Question of the day: What have you learned most from your dog or pet?
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