Bridesmaids and Friendship

In honor of our Friendship Valentine's Day Party at school on Friday, I thought I would give a well deserved shout out to my bridesmaids and my best friends.  I am blessed with 8 bridesmaids that I have been so fortunate to have in my life for many years, so here we go (in order of how long I've known them-ha!):

Aly-ahh my sister, my partner in crime (especially when we would throw wild parties when mom and dad went out of town), the person I can have the most horrible screaming matches with but at the same time, would be lost without.  We've definitely had our ups and downs but I trust you with my life and know that you always have my back. I am in awe of the woman you have become but you will forever be my little sister. I love you dearly.

                                                              

Jenn- friends since 5th grade, going on 19 years [gasp].  I am so blessed to have met you in Mr. Alka's 5th grade class.  We have had some wild times, fabulous Halloween costumes, countless inside jokes, classic photo ops, the list goes on and on. I could write a novel about all the amazing memories I have with you but I'd rather cherish them instead.  You have been there for me in my toughest times and are part of some of my best memories.  You are my thithter for life!

                                

Jess-ok, first of all there are way better pictures of us, but this one makes me laugh and have vivid memories every. single. time.  I can't remember if we became friends in 7th or 8th grade. Does that make me old?  Anyway, some of my best memories involve you.  Our Spring Break in Vegas is one of my favorite trips to date.  Who knew two girls could cause so much trouble at the MGM Grand and I still don't know how we made it back to our room through that crazy casino every night.  Maybe I shouldn't admit that online.  Regardless of when we met, we've been friends for a very long time and I am still bitter that you didn't come to IU with me as my roommate but I'll get over it one day! ;)  Even though we went to separate schools, we have remained very close.  I was so honored to stand up with you on your wedding day and I am so glad that you will be with me on mine.  I can't wait for you to live closer.  I miss having you as a "neighbor"!!

                                         

Meghan-I am thinking we became friends Freshman Year- lunch with Jess, Michelle, and Kelly??  Who the heck knows.  All I know is that we have a tendency to be innocent double trouble from time to time and most of the stuff I want to write about isn't appropriate for two elementary teachers! ;) We have remained friends through 4 years of going to different colleges and I am so lucky that I get to see one of my best friends every day at work.  I don't know how I would get through some of my days without you listening to me vent and being one of the most supportive people I know.  Not only to me, but to your students and everyone around you.  That's why you were teacher of the year! ;)

                                              

                                   

Jourdan-I don't even know where to start.  We had some great times in high school but memories from IU, life after IU, and being roommates definitely trump all of that.  First of all, I couldn't have asked for a better roommate.  Being 22, fresh out of college, and buying my first house was a little scary but the fun we had in that 1 short year we lived together are some of the best times of my life thus far.  In my opinion, we have had more fun together in the last 10/11 years then some people have in a lifetime.  As with all my bridesmaids, you have been there through great times and hard but I know I can always count on you.  You have given me some of the best advice, especially when it comes to relationships and I will be forever grateful for that.  You are one of the kindest people I know and a role model when it comes to being a wife and a mother. I am so lucky to call you one of my best friends.

Sarah-do you know how hard it was to find a picture of just the two of us where we don't look like we've had way too much fun, if you know what I mean!? What does that say about us!?  It says that we are a darn good time and have way too much fun when we are together, especially in Bloomington and also our most recent trip to Nashville! ;) I am so glad that you didn't stay in Boston long and that we were able to pick up right where we left off when you moved back to Indy.  I have so much fun with you and you are one of the sweetest, smartest, funniest girls I know.  I am so thankful to have you as one of my best friends.

                                                   

Traci-Can I just copy and paste my maid of honor speech because we all know I'm not going to be able to talk about how much you mean to me without breaking down and crying hysterically.  Deep breath, here we go.  My freshman year, four years of college, would not have been nearly as memorable if it wasn't for you.  I am so glad that you stalked me that first week of college because you quickly became a lifelong friend.  We are sisters, heck we are twins [insert AXiD shout out here]. You leaving me for grad school in Minnesooooota was not my favorite choice of yours, but even with the distance, you remained one of my dearest friends.  Notice I'm not even going to talk about all of the amazing times we had in the dorms, the villas,  on 3 Spring Break trips, hanging with "our boys" (so possessive), watching the notebook together on Valentine's Day, rolling around the formal living room and eating Aver's, being asked to leave various establishments in Broadripple etc. etc. etc.  See what I did there? ;)  We are so fun and I am eternally grateful to have you in my life.  Oh and not to mention that if it wasn't for you and Seth, I wouldn't have met my future husband, crying during a bar crawl, I mean at your wedding.  No big deal!

                                             

Jes(s)- Last but certainly not least.  I have known you the shortest amount of time 9/10 years -ish but I feel like I have known you all my life.  You are my other half (aside from Jeremy of course-whoops!), the Ethel to my Lucy, my roommate during the Summer of Love, even though my parents didn't understand why you always spent the night (this is starting to sound really bad), one half of the 96th/Lantern dining room dream team, and you will forever be my moo.  I could write a book about our fun times, shared love of  Zoey,   Blake, cows, all things haunted, and all the shenanigans we have had but no one would think it was funny or interesting but us. STORY OF OUR LIVES.  We share one mind and even though we "broke up" (sorry, I had to), we are closer than ever.  I am so glad that I transferred to 96th and Lantern, who knew I would have met one of the best friends a girl could ask for.

This blog post has taken more time than anything I have ever written but I think it's my best post to date.  I am so grateful for all of these amazing women that will be standing with me on my special day.  I love you all so much.  I cherish the memories that we have and I look forward to the ones to come.  You all mean the world to me!