Five Facts from a Guy {about when you know you’ve got it good.} #10

Happy first Friday in August, dear readers! I always love that Friday feeling, but this week I'm feeling extra amped. I'm staying in town and am thrilled about it. Tomorrow, I'm doing a Core Power Yoga class, going to True Food then hitting the pool. Wahoo!

To kick off the weekend, I have another round of Five Facts from a Guy! Today we're checking in with Peter, who recently proposed to my dear friend, Jordan. I first met Peter when he and Jor came to Atlanta in 2014. I know I have no proof of this, but, even then I knew he was the guy for her. I was so happy when they got engaged in July! Today he's posting about when to know you've got a good thing going.

And, in case you've missed them, catch up on the previous Five Facts from a Guy posts.

1. Be willing to try new things. I guess it’s expected that by our mid-twenties we’re supposed to know exactly what we like and don’t like, but I’m not totally sold on that idea.  I can tell you unequivocally that I’m not really into mayonnaise, and as embarrassing as it is, traditional sun tan lotion kind of weirds me out because of multiple similarities between the two.  However, I’m slowly warming up to spray on sunscreen, due to my fiance’s general distaste for skin cancer.  A true win win.  In the same vain, she’s totally willing to try a “no thank you bite” of whatever exotic seafood dish I’ve ordered for dinner – even though she hates pretty much everything that lives in of the ocean that isn’t a mermaid.  Anyway, my point is to not be afraid of change and through compromise you sometimes have way more fun than you’ve ever expected.

2. Be authentic. Far too frequently people to try to manufacture a persona they’ve decided is “who they want to be” but isn’t who they actually are.  It turns out false appearances are pretty tough to keep up and usually quite transparent.  If you don’t like PF Changs because it reminds you of your ex-boyfriend, that’s something I should know.  If my favorite food in the whole wide world is candy corn, I’m not going to be afraid to tell you.  The people who live in catalogs aren’t real – and if they were, I bet they’d stink.  And sometimes I can still disagree with the “real you.”  For example, my fiancé pretends to like football games, but happily let me know she thinks the game should be shortened to eliminate the fourth quarter – because she gets bored.  That’s just crazytalk.  All in all, I think people with substance are cool.  We’ve all got some kind of weirdo baggage.  Share and embrace in it.  It’s what makes you you.

3. Laugh. This one’s pretty simple.  Do it.  Laugh at each other, laugh with other people and never grow too old to laugh at yourself.  Sometimes you accidentally go pee right after you’ve cut a bunch of jalapenos for your fiancé’s recipe (she was just my girlfriend then, but I bet she’s still behave the exact same way today) and before you know it, she’s rolling on the floor in laughter as you’re getting in touch with feelings you never knew existed in places that aren’t appropriate to talk about on the internet. In the end, that was funny for me too, but for FAR different reasons.  Laughter can take different shapes.  It could be the giggles you still share over the first time you accidentally kissed years before you even thought about dating or the uncontrollable fits you experience laughing along with trash TV shows like Hollywood Game Night.  Either way, laugh.  Life’s too short to be serious all the time.

4. Share your friends. The people someone surrounds them self with say a lot about who they are, who they’ve been and ultimately, who they’re going to be.  You need to be comfortable with and embrace her friends, just as she should do the same with yours.  Knowing that my “new girlfriend” could survive an afternoon (more than 6 hours alone) in the gauntlet with my mostly single and untamed fraternity brothers while accompanying me to our first wedding together was an immediate sign this relationship was going places I never imagined.  Similarly, when I found myself texting her friends to get together for dinner while she was out of town for vacation, I realized it was game-over.  One of the things I’m most looking forward to is seeing these two crazy worlds collide in just a few months.  I’m not sure the world is ready for what’s to come.

5. Tell me when I’m being stupid. If you’re dating someone who tells you that you’re perfect all the time without exception – that person is a liar.  We’ve all have bad days, accidentally drank too much on a Thursday or sometimes get frustrated and accidentally hurt a friend’s feelings.  I think that’s part of life.  At least it’s part of mine.  It takes someone special to help you realize that you’ve goofed up and need to correct course, sometimes without even speaking those words.  It just as important to have someone in your corner who’s not unafraid to tell you that you’re being an a punk as it is to have someone pat your back when you’ve succeeded.

Five Facts from a Guy {about recognizing when you’ve found the right person} #9

Happy Five Facts Friday, friends!

This week, we're hearing from William, who just proposed to my cousin, Allie, last Friday :) I am so happy to call him her fiancé as I introduce him on my blog! He's sharing about how you know when you've found the one, which is especially timely in his life.

And, in case you've missed the other Five Facts from a Guy Friday posts, read them here.

{Allie & William live in Santa Monica, which is way, way too far away. But really fun to visit :)}

1. The truer you are to yourself, the closer you grow.  Everybody puts on a front in the early stages of dating and a relationship.  It’s only natural that you want to present the best version of yourself.  Over time you get more comfortable letting down your guard and showing your true colors.  With the right person, your weirdness and idiosyncrasies will bring you closer together.  Several previous posts have mentioned men want ladies to be true to themselves, to wear less makeup rather than more, to show us your weirdness.  In the right relationship, the more you let the other person in, the more intimacy you will build, and the more fun you will have together.

2. You need the same amount of each others' time, or at least understand your differences.  This one is huge.  A relationship that is unbalanced in terms of how much time each partner wants and needs to spend with the other will be immensely difficult.  A person’s need for their own time and space can vary dramatically, as can their need for time together with their significant other.  Needing your own time and space doesn’t mean you love the other person any less, but people sometimes need to be by themselves to collect their thoughts and recharge.  There is no worse feeling than thinking your partner doesn’t want to spend time with you, and that’s why this is such an important issue.  Understanding each other’s needs in these departments is crucial for a happy and fulfilling relationship where you can be comfortable in spending time together while also getting your important alone time to recharge.

3. You both work together for the relationship.  Let’s get super cliché here for a quick second.  Relationships are hard work, and it’s important that you are both working on the relationship together.  Some people have a tendency to get complacent in relationships.  I certainly have in the past.  But really, when a relationship is right, you both enjoy growing together, and that is not always a smooth process.  There will be bumps and challenges and obstacles along the way, and knowing that you have a teammate who will proactively work through these challenges with you makes these growing pains much more manageable and part of the adventure.  When you’ve found someone you work well with and you share the commitment to put in the work a relationship takes, you will find the things life throws at you that are pitfalls for other relationships become much smoother in yours.

4. Their people become your people and it’s awesome.  One of the most fun parts of a relationship is getting to know your partner through other people in their lives.  As a relationship progresses you meet the friends and the family and the high school friends and the extended family, and it’s a great way to discover all sorts of things you wouldn’t otherwise have known about that person.  When a relationship is right, this is a really fun process.  You feel your friend network double as you meet people for the first time who you’ve heard countless stories about and are fast friends.  You gain an extended family that cares for you and you think hopefully might not be as crazy as your own.  Who a person surrounds themselves with speaks volumes about that person, and being embraced by and embracing the people in your partner’s life is a wonderful feeling and a great sign you’ve found the right person.

5. The right person inspires you to be your best, for both of you.  Part of what makes relationships difficult is that we are constantly changing.  Interests and passions ebb and flow as do a person’s priorities.  This is a huge part of why relationships take work – to be sure they evolve with the changes to your personalities and lives together.  The right partner will challenge and inspire you to grow and excel outside of your comfort zone as your lives together grow.  You should return the favor by challenging and inspiring them, and also by striving to be your best so you can be the best possible partner.  At the end of the day, your relationship will be as strong as the two of you work to make it, and by challenging each other to be the best version of yourselves and committing to work towards this end, you will give your relationship the best chance to succeed.  If you’ve found a person who will share this commitment with you, never let them go!

Five Facts from a Guy {about girls} #8

Happy Five Facts Friday, my friends! I'm in Charleston for a bachelorette party for my friend, Katie. Giving us that endless male wisdom this week is Chris' (and now my!) friend, Walker.

He's just a little over two months into marriage and it's inspiring to read his advice and know that he's found these things in his wife, Jessica.

And, in case you've missed them, catch up on the previous Five Facts from a Guy posts.

{This May, Chris and I attended his wedding in Montgomery, where he married his college sweetheart. I got to know Walker well last year over Memorial Day, when he came to town to visit Chris. It was wonderful to see him so relaxed, certain and in love on his wedding day.}

1. And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.  The best relationships don’t demand perfection.  They encourage growth through understanding and patience and redemption. For me, this is Christianity in a single sentence (from Steinbeck’s East of Eden).  And while many embrace this sentiment on a spiritual level, it can be harder to apply to everyday relationships.  If you don’t expect us to be perfect, we will usually surprise you to the good.      

2. Date the person you want to be.  A modification of be yourself, perhaps the most ubiquitous pearl of wisdom.  Be yourself is obvious and powerful and, for most of us, unattainable.  Our self is always changing and is inevitably influenced by those around us.  So, by all means, befriend and date people who allow you to be yourself.  But also befriend and date people who help you change yourself for the better.

3. Familiarity breeds contentment, not contempt.  An immediate spark is great, but sustained relationships hit their stride in the middling and the mundane.  If you expect persistent highs, you’re likely to be disappointed when life’s other priorities start to encroach on your relationship.  That’s not to cater to complacency but to advocate for the little moments – the incremental happiness that comes from a shared smile, a knowing hug.  Because those moments are always accessible, so long as you have the right partner.

4. Don’t dismiss the things that bother you.  Especially if you’re dismissing them because that’s just how guys are.  At first, you may be right – we have plenty of deficiencies – but we also have the capacity to change, the capacity to explore emotional issues, and the capacity to care about you.  So communicate, and we just might surprise you (my wife is rolling her eyes).

5. Read Zach Lowe. Or don’t. But find something that he likes, and learn one fact about it (only if he reciprocates, of course). As Whitney’s brother pointed out, our interests don’t have to be your interests, but it doesn’t require a huge investment to show us you care.  It’s easy to read Zach Lowe’s free agency column and drop a LaMarcus Aldridge reference at dinner.  I’ll smile, and we’ll share a moment and then you can go back to ignoring basketball.

Five Facts from a Guy {things women assume men know but we actually don’t} #7

Another Friday, another round of awesome insight from the gentlemen in my life! Today's facts are from Chris' (and now my!) friend, Garrett. He's here to tell us the things that we think and want men to know, but they don't actually know if we don't tell them.

Genius.

And, in case you've missed them, catch up on the previous Five Facts from a Guy posts.

{Garrett married sweet Kathleen last spring in Seabrook, SC. I was so grateful to attend their wedding with Chris early on in our relationship, especially now that they've become great friends!}

How many of you have heard the following phrases used to describe a guy: rough around the edges, a work in progress, not boyfriend/husband material. I’m willing to bet a good many of you have. I know I started out in this category. But how do men become “boyfriend material?” Well, how do you get your dog to stop peeing in the house? You train them. And as my wife likes to boast to her friends, thanks to years of her efforts I am now husband material, or “well trained.”

Now this is not to say that women don’t need training as well. We're all human. Women don’t just innately know that guys need time with their male friends. Or know how to forgive them for being a little immature and irresponsible once in a while. Or have the ability to recognize that even though they are furious with and want to kill their male counterpart from time to time that maybe, just maybe, their current emotional reaction is a bit stronger than it should be. But I digress.

Here is a list of five facts from my training that men should know, and women think that we know, but we actually don’t know until we have been taught otherwise.

1) Thoughtful gifts are worth way more than expensive gifts. All guys know the stress and anguish associated with trying to find the right gift for your significant other. And because we procrastinate, we all end up getting herded into jewelry stores where we shop based on price tags and commercials. But how are we expected to know what to buy? It’s actually fairly simple, thanks to smart phones. Just keep a list of the things she sees and loves but doesn’t buy. Then when an occasion rolls around, pick something from the list. The moment when she opens her gift and she realizes that you thought to remember that thing she wanted, the price tag on the gift won’t matter.

2) Spontaneity keeps relationships interesting. Thanks to things like InstaGram and Pinterest, men are now locked in an eternal battle to outdo one another to show their significant others how much they love them. Or so it would seem. But you don’t have to outdo @Romeo22, who spent 10 hours writing “I love you Juliet” in floating candles on the lake under the bridge where they had their first kiss. Because @Romeo22 is probably a stalker. It’s the little, spontaneous things that keeps the relationship interesting. Sneak home from work early to cook dinner. Bring home $3 flowers from Trader Joes. Plan a day trip as a surprise. Again, it’s not the size of what you did, but the fact that you thought to do it.

3) Women like to be complimented. This seems obvious, but is more of an art than a science. “Oh my god you look so hot right now.” “Your body is bangin’.” “Your eyes are like (insert anything here).”  These are not what women want to hear. Even overusing terms like “beautiful” and “gorgeous” can be detrimental. Try picking out smaller details. “I love the way your earrings bring out your eyes.” “You hair looks really good that way.” “Your legs look really good in that dress.” Those are compliments that show you’re paying attention.

4) You have to listen, and listening is hard. This is honestly the thing I think is the hardest to master. It takes active effort to tune out your surroundings and listen to what somebody is saying. Don’t glance at the TV over her shoulder. Leave the phone in your pocket. Don’t let your eyes wander south. Even the guys that really try to listen fall short of capitalizing on how much they’re listening. Once you’ve done the hard part of actually listening intently, ask a question that shows you’ve been listening. “Susan is your friend that just got engaged, right? How is she doing?” In one sentence, you’ve proven you were listening and taken an interest in something important to her.

5) The toilet seat. You wake up in the middle of the night. It’s cold and you’re half asleep. You go to the bathroom, sit down, and SPLASH. You’re in the toilet. Trust me, this can happen. And the only thing worse than it happening to you is it happening to your wife. The seat goes up and the seat goes down. Make a little song out of it if you have to.

I’m by no means an expert, and this is not an exhaustive list. I’m actually even reluctant to submit this because I’m now going to have to step up my game quite a bit. But if you can do these five things, you’re off to a good start.

Five Facts from a Guy {about girls} #6

Happy Friday and happy one week into America's 240th year of life! Does anyone else go through a small mourning process when the Fourth is over? I do. It's the best!

Fear not, here to cheer us up this week is Chris' (and now my!) friend, Claude. He lives in North Carolina and has a super sweet job as a college basketball coach. His passion and excitement for his team are daily reminders to me to keep pursuing what I love in life.

Here are his thoughts on girls and dating.

And, in case you've missed them, catch up on the previous Five Facts from a Guy posts.

{I got to know Claude really well last Memorial Day when he spent the weekend in Atlanta. He's become a close friend and always makes me laugh with his great perspective on dating.}

1. Saying maybe is okay, no is even better. Guys love to pursue. Groundbreaking, I know. One of the things that can cool my attraction toward a girl that I am interested in is her being too available. Before the first date has happened, I'm already worried about her being way too into me because she mentioned that she has the next 10 nights available to go grab a drink. Even if you have every night of the week available to hang out, don't let him know that! It adds a bit of mystery to the beginning of a potential relationship and allows for both parties to go through the initial process at a more comfortable speed.

2. Share your passion(s).I might be a tad different than most, but one of the things that I love to find out on an early date is what a girl is passionate about. What do you look forward to each morning when you wake up? It can be anything! There is no wrong answer here, but it's amazing to hear someone open up about what they truly find purpose in.

3. Find out which friends matter.In today's world, we all have a ton of different friend groups that we can easily stay connected with. Some we have just known for a couple weeks, others we work with and some go way back. Whether we like to admit it or not, when a potential girlfriend, or girlfriend, meets my friends that I truly care about, it is a BIG deal. Don't sweat this, but rather be relaxed in knowing that he is probably more nervous than you are! Ask questions and find out whose opinion really matters. The ability to hold your own with his friends is a huge part of the process and it starts with knowing which ones have a voice in his life.

4. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. One of my closest friends reminded me of that after a break up as I was struggling to get back out there and move on. I think it not only applies to getting over someone, but also to starting something new. In North Carolina, and throughout the South, it often feels like everyone is in a sprint to get married, get a dog, then have kids. Don't get me wrong, those are all great things, but everyone's path is different. I want the girl I'm pursuing to want me to be in the seat across from her at dinner--not for her to just want the seat to be occupied. Remember to enjoy the (sometimes long) journey.

5. Share your "weird". We all have unique characteristics that separate us from each other. One of the things that I always find funny when talking to others about the dating process is how everyone wants to show this polished version of themselves in order to woo a certain significant other. Show us the real you. If it doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world. As a basketball coach, when I recruit, a kid picking another school is almost as good as a yes, because then you get to move on to the next recruit and not waste any more time. Don't be scared to share who you really are, even the things that might make you a little weird.

Five Facts from a Guy {for girls preparing for marriage} #5

Happy Fourth of July weekend Friday, my friends!

I'm at a lake house in south Georgia today, hopefully sipping coffee in a kayak right about now :)

Here to check in with you is my other, also wonderful, brother-in-law, Jose. His post is for all you engaged girls out there, as well as anyone who wants to prepare her heart for marriage. It's never too soon to plan ahead, nahmean?

And, in case you've missed them, catch up on the previous Five Facts from a Guy posts.

{Jose is married to my sister, Ashley. Together they have three adorable boys. I loved reading his post and envisioning Ashley and Jose's relationship. I can see his advice play out so positively between them. Nothing feels better than knowing your sister is in good, thoughtful hands.}

1. Dress modestly in front of my family. I love it when my wife wears attractive clothing because it boosts my ego—I’m proud of my wife’s cute figure. But, that’s not something I want her to flaunt around my family. I don’t want to have to defend her character based on incorrect assumptions. So, when it comes to family affairs, go ahead and dress like Mary Poppins. Remember, his mother grew up in a different generation than you did.

2. Learn how to make one or two good meals. A man really appreciates the work and energy that goes into a home-cooked meal. It even feels like a luxury. I’m so thankful for a meal and I have no qualms about doing all the clean-up. When I can invite family or friends over for a meal, I feel that is one of highest honors I can extend to them. Hospitality is undervalued in our fast-paced society, but a true extension of it leaves a lasting impression.

3. Enjoy life. On our first date, I was most attracted to Ash’s smile and laugh. Although she’s a very attractive woman, that was the thing that sealed the deal. The smiles and laughter revealed that I was dating a joyful person. And, who doesn’t want to be married to a happy wife?!

4. Invest in relationships with your future in-laws. This will pay dividends for years to come. Remember when you marry him, you’re also marrying his family. Grow the relationship and you’ll ultimately strengthen your bond with him. His family will always have some influence on your lives and his decisions. And, when you make decisions that are contrary to what your in-laws want, you have the relationship to stand on.

5. Set your work and family life priorities ahead of time. Not everything can be a priority. When I got married, Ash was a full-time school teacher and she was good at it. She also became a full-time wife and she was good at it. When we had children, we had to prioritize because we had more than we could juggle. So Ash chose to transition to the roles of mother and wife, and she is good at both of them. Not everything can be your top priority and it's important that you and your future spouse identify where you both want to invest your time and energy as you grow in your relationship, jobs, hobbies and begin to have children.

Five Facts from a Guy {about marriage} #4

Happy Friday, friends! I'm in Chicago this weekend to be part of my sweet friend, Jamie's wedding. Here to check in with you this week is my wonderful brother-in-law, Ryan. Below are five facts from him about why he loves marriage. Doesn't every girl love hearing about a guy who loves marriage?! I think so :)

And, in case you've missed them, catch up on the previous Five Facts from a Guy posts.

{Ryan is married to my sister, Courtney. Their sweet fam is expecting their fifth baby in November! They were high school sweethearts and I admire their relationship so much.}

When Whitney asked me to contribute to her blog, I was thrilled, honored, but not sure what I could bring to the table. When one of Atlanta's leaders asks you to do something (she's probably too humble to post this....), first you say yes and then you realize, those are some big shoes to fill! I have seen firsthand, the hurt that comes from failed marriages, but I've also seen that a marriage centered on Christ can be something truly wonderful. After having been married for 12 years (almost), I thought maybe giving a perspective on marriage from a guy's point of view might be a good place to start.

So, here are five reasons (there are many more) why I love marriage and why I think it makes men THRIVE!

1. It has made me even more adventurous. Adventure marks one of the core desires of a man's heart.  We want to LIVE!  Even as a young boy, I knew I was built for a larger story that wasn't just about myself.  I dreamed of being a mighty hero and having a beautiful heroine to share my adventures with.  God created this desire within us from the beginning to pursue and to share in our adventures.  Whenever I travel somewhere new or accomplish something I am proud of, I want to share the experience.  There is infinite value in having someone to share your life's story with.  Not that I wasn't adventurous when I was single, but marriage has brought my adventure to life!

2. It allows me to find truer rest. Life can feel insane.  And society tends to value those with a packed schedule and calendar.  I have found that I never feel truly at rest until I am at home with my wife and kids.  Home can take on a variety of meanings, but I've found it's not a place, but rather the people that compose it. I love exploration and change as much as the next guy, but there is so much comfort in coming home to someone who truly knows you and loves you for all that you are.  Home is where you can receive validation for who you are, all of you, and rest in it.  

3. It has given me a partner for everything. There is no doubt that life can be hard.  There is suffering, loss, guilt, demands and unmet expectations.  Four years ago, my wife was critically ill and we almost lost our unborn son.  It was the darkest and hardest stage of my life thus far.  We all need encouragement.  I live every day of my life with my best friend and biggest support.  As we walked through the months of fear and uncertainty, we had each other to rely on.  I was able to encourage and support her as she struggled through each week.  And she was able to give me hope and help me to lean on the Lord.  We balance one another so well.  When one of us is weak, the other is strong. We have laughed, cried and grown through 12 years of marriage. 

As a man, it can be so hard to admit that I need help.  But there is so much freedom is having a woman by your side who gives you the freedom to do just that.  She encourages me in my faith and leads when I need her to be strong.  God gave women a beautifully fierce heart and it blends perfectly with our own.  

4. It gives me the chance to constantly pursue my wife. I am always pursuing my wife's heart.  Some days I'm better at it than others.  Marriage brings with it an intimacy that I could not have begun to understand when I was single.  There is so much beauty in having someone know you completely and living with a free heart.  Marriage has meant for me a deeper communion with my wife and with God.  Every woman longs to be loved, to be chosen, to have someone value and fight for her.  Men were built to pursue and to fight for you.  Let us do just that.

5. It has helped me understand what love really means. Marriage is filled with beauty.  I delight in my wife.  I find beauty in the evenings when we are dressed up and out for the night.  I find beauty in waking up next to her and having us both look like we needed many more hours of sleep.  I find beauty in watching her raise our children and seeing who they are becoming.  The days can often feel mundane, but there is so much beauty right in front of us.  It is with gratitude and awe that I look at our life together. For a moment I get to see a glimpse of the love that God has for us.  Having four (soon to be five) children has allowed me to realize what a loving father would do for his children, just as our Father would do for us.  I could never have grasped this on my own.  

ATL Free Dates Final & Five Things Friday

Happy Friday! Tonight is Chris and my last date of our 30 Days of Free Dates. Yaay! He's grilling salmon from Fresh Harvest as our final hurrah. I'll probably be making goat cheese guacamole. Again! I'm hooked.

Tomorrow, we're going kayaking at Sweetwater, then he's taking me to a mystery lunch spot. The only clue I got was to come hungry. Nottaproblem!

The past week of free dating has been pretty low key, since we threw the surprise party last weekend. We did manage to squeeze in a Braves game, because one of my friends gave me free tickets, which included free food. Boom!

We were laughing that we haven't been back to a Braves game since last summer, when we had the same free tickets. We spent most of it talking about a job offer I'd just received in Africa, instead of watching. How different our lives would be today had I taken it! It made me so grateful for what God is doing in my life right here in this sweet city. Sometimes, we have to go to faraway places for big adventures. Other times, they're right in our own backyard.

As we wrap up all this free dating, I'm shocked to see how much is still unfinished on the list we made.  I also feel (probably too) proud we survived the lack of coffee dates. And I ca-n-n-ot wait to get dressed up for a date night soon. A night on your porch just ain't the same as a night on the town!

For a little Friday thinking, I saw this question posed recently and thought I'd share:
If you had one million in your bank account, how would you answer these questions?

1 place to visit: Greece! Or Bora Bora. I think I need two :)
1 thing to do before you die (a memory of a lifetime): Ride an elephant. I've been itching to do this for years and had some weird idea I'd get to do it in Africa. It's on my bucket list!
1 thing to do daily: Say thank you. And I love you. More & more.  You never regret it.
1 thing to do weekly: Have a dance party in lieu of typical exercise. You never regret that, either.
1 thing you’ve always wanted to learn: How to be an awesome photographer.

How would you answer? Have a great weekend!

glitter&polka dots

it's friday!

and you should be you today. and all weekend. and every day. forever and ever.

ps: unless you're not a dessert person. then you should become one.

just kidding.

kind of.

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HappyDayFriDay!

It's Friday! This was one of those weird weeks that felt super long and super short all at once. I somehow can't believe it's Friday, and yet can't believe the events that took place Monday were this week.

It was an extra special week because Jordan took a long layover en route to Charlotte Tuesday night. I've always loved sharing our birthday, and was extra, extra happy to get to celebrate our 25.5 together, too. We went for a walk in Piedmont Park and had a great dinner at Murphy's. I just love her :)

The week was also marked by two other great smevents (small, but important events), including Ashley designing my new blog header. Is it bragging to say it's beautiful since it's on my blog? I'm not sure. But either way, I think she did a wonderful job!

Also, I did the.best.spinning.class.ever. I spent the entire 60 minutes dying, and yet wishing it would never end. It took spinning to a whole new level and I cannot wait to go back.

I hope your week was made of great events, too. Big or small!

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hi. happy friday :)

Shall we go?

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#factsoflife

I hope your Friday is sparkly. Have a great weekend!

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happy happy friday

I straight stole this from Court's blog because I'm obsessed and can think of nothing else. Obsessed. For real.

Could anything make you happier on this Friday? I think not.

Stripes!

yaay

let's do it

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What's that you say? It's Friiiday!

It's Friday. And that makes me want to do this:

Except in color. Way too thrilling for black and white.

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yaay! yaay! yaay!

It's April! I am so happy about this, and here's why you should be, too...

1. We are in the month of the Royal Wedding! Which means we will soon get to see all of Kate Middleton's fabulous choices. The dress, the flowers, the bridesmaids...ah!

2. Spring is rilly rilly here, and it's here to stay. It's going to be 81 and sunny this weekend and I have a good feeling we won't see Jack Frost again for a looong time. Time to get out those skirts&dresses!

3. It's baseball season! Although I can't pretend I watch it on TV, I absolutely love (love!) going to Braves games. The Home Opener is one week from today and I am super excited about it.

4. I have a month full of special visitors! My mom, Allie and Sara are all coming to stay with me and I can't wait to play hostess.

By the way, it's totally April's style to start out on Friday. So fun.

via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

It's Friday, Friday

And my weekend goal is to find the Yum Yum Cupcake Truck in Atlanta. Although I imagine I'll still prefer it's classic, older sister, the ice cream truck, I'm on a mission to find this hot pink commodity.

I'll report back Monday, hopefully with full details and a list of flavors.

Five Reasons to Yaay!

1. It's Friday. 
2. I have my first official house guest this weekend.
3. Her name is Courtney.
4. It's going to be warm and sunny, and we're going to play outside.
5. Even when the weekend is over (sad), it will be OK, because we'll be ONE day away from March.

Happy weekend! What's making you yaay!? 

via erin ever after

friday already!?

this is very good news.

via dailycandy