Sometimes It Takes Leaving

I am going home tomorrow!! I am beyond excited to be in the city I call home, laugh with my mother, hug my best friends, and so much more. Knoxville simply has a piece of my heart no other place can take, but preparing for this trip has made me aware of just how much Birmingham also holds its own place.

This will be the longest I have been away from Birmingham since I moved into the apartment, and to be honest I am a little sad. It has become a home of its own. It has housed an abundance of memories, laughter, real talks, and simple daily tasks this summer, but the people who make all these things possible are the true blessings.

My roommate, Sarah, has been one of the brightest joys of the summer. She is simply joy herself; I never see her without a smile or a laugh on her face. It is that joy that makes coming home so great! I will miss sharing my days with her while I am home.

Remember that laughter I mentioned? Well, Drew and Caleb are a major source. They fill the apartment with laughter every time they visit, but they are also so much more then that. The meaningful talks, the genuine kindness, and the openness are all aspects that make me so appreciative of their friendship individually.

Doug and Paige also called Birmingham home this summer (Doug commuted but just go with it). Everything from game nights with Rex to some of the best pool days of the summer were shared with these two. Doug always says exactly what is on his mind, and I find it beyond refreshing to be surrounded by someone so true to who they are. Respect. Paige has such a giving heart and is beyond gifted in so many areas of life. She is simply fun.

These are the people I have shared so much of my life with this summer. These are the people who have pushed me to grow. These are the people who became my family. These are the people I will miss while I am home.

Here's to each of them. Thank you.

And It Got Me

You see, this story requires some background material. So, won’t you join me for a stroll down memory lane? I thought so. My friend, Evan, is from California, and last year he invited a group of us to travel the open road with him to California. How could you pass that up? I didn’t, that’s for sure, so the adventure across country began. Seven people. Two weeks. Thousands of miles (ask Matt for the exact count... or you can check his facebook timeline). Even more laughs. A lifetime of memories. There is a bond. We traveled the country together.  However, this summer life and adulthood got the best of us. Two weeks was simply impossible for most of our schedules, so we had to settle on a weekend. Nashville was chosen, and now here we are.

Evan hosted us all at his aunt and uncle’s house, and the trip was simply wonderful.  It fell at just the right time, with just the right people.  Not to mention, simply being in Tennessee brings a certain joy no other place can fulfill. It is home; it always will be.

Now, I have been to Nashville several times: school trips, concerts, and random visits. There is just something about the city. It offers so many different aspects; great music, heritage (Tennessean, and not to mention a little nod to my Greek roots. That’s right, I see you Parthenon replica.), and oh man the hipsters... aka I love it.

However, this visit was a little different. There was no agenda; it was more about the people not the city. So, we filled our days with good food, great conversations, Minnesota accents, intense games of spoons, sweet brown, spades, Hot Rod, a little shopping (thanks, boys),  Newsboys and Nsync (winning combination, if I may say so myself), and plenty of laughter. It was simple. It was refreshing.

I have been very blessed to experience so much of life. I mean, isn’t it everyone’s dream to road trip it to California? How did I get so lucky that it was a reality in my life?  There is no reason; I am simply blessed. 

Here's to experiencing life together.  

Sesame Chicken and Skittles

STNP. Stay the night party. It might be the girl in me who loved spending the night with friends, staying up all night, and talking about everything. There's just something special about going to sleep and waking up with the party still going.

So, this past weekend Rex and I hosted one for a few of our friends (separate rooms... Don't worry mom). Matt, Zach, and Stephanie all took a break from their own summer shenanigans to join ours for the weekend.

I was a little tardy to the party the first night. Caroline was in town too, so I spent the night with her, some poetry, and a few brews. Solid choice, but the STNP was going strong when I got home. It was simply great to see each of them and hear about their summer so far.

The second day was the true adventure. Muffins. Puppies. Cake. Swimming. Laughter. All before dinner. It was simply great to experience life together again. We decided to go to the drive-in that night. Steph and Matt had never had take-out, so Chinese take-out was now a necessity. And, what's a movie without candy? A candy stop was made (tresfortres), and the phrase sesame chicken and skittles was born. It was perfect.

From there the night includes a stuffed bear, a hockey mask, more movies, even more laughter, a sunrise, a noise complaint, memories, and finally sleep.

Breakfast and Popsicles followed that next day before everyone went their separate ways. Rex left for home. Zach went back to camp. Matt's job was calling his name.

Steph and I were left to hold the fort down. Needless to say, we were extremely tired. But, the night lead to a great conversation about life and just how blessed we are by these friendships, these people we chose to do life with, these memories. We are lucky without a doubt.

Well, I'm off to Nashville for a few days. I'm sure stories will be told.

Here's to STNPs and all they bring.

Sweet Summertime

You know that feeling that only comes with summer? It is that little extra something that turns ordinary activities into adventures during sweet summer time. Well, this weekend was packed with some of those magic summer moments:

*old friends

*summer rain

*blueberries

*laughter

*peaceful times with my Abba

*games

*new friends

*popsicles

*meaningful conversations

*fountain diet coke

*a lazy Sunday afternoon

*joy

It was one for the record books.

Here’s to the magic of summer.