I Love a Good Engagement Party!

One year from today I will be walking down the aisle to in what is sure to be a fabulous bridesmaids dress to celebrate the wedding of my college bestie, affectionately known as Beebs, and her sweet fiance, Brian! Speaking of fabulous dresses...her's is SUPER FAB, but must remain a secret until the big day! Back in May, we celebrated their engagement with a tres chic fiesta-themed engagement party at Beeb's gorgeous home in Baltimore! I didn't get to blog it then because grad school and EOG's had taken over my life, so I thought what better time to share about it than on their 1 year to the wedding day date!

How cute are they!? And, I just have to brag that I was on their first date! It was while we were freshman in college and we went to McAllisters on Franklin St., and Beebs made me promise that Kyle and I wouldn't hold hands or anything so there wasn't any pressure on them! Now just look at 'em! Precious as can be!

We're not so bad, ourselves! Kyle HATES kissy pictures, but I had to at least pay homage to Beebs and the fact that she's the one who introduced us to the kissy pic!

But, the cutest attendee of the party was....

Dudley! Beebs & Brian's new puppy!

Beebs & Lu...we look goooooooddd!

The Bridal Party! Beebs pointed out that we represent 7 states-- GA, OH, NC, TX, NJ, MD, and IL...amazing that we all were able to be there for this!

 It was the perfect weather for an outdoor party and had the most adorable decorations ever! Take a looksies...

 Beebs and Brian LOVE a good Mexican feast, and the food was delicious! Can I please get some more of those chips and queso!?

Fajita bar, anyone?

From one bar to the next...helloooo candy bar! Beebs wanted bright colors to go w/ the theme, and it looked so gorgeous! Confession--I may or may not have filled 2 whole bags w/ Starbursts and Jolly Ranchers...but I have to say, that candy helped get my kiddos through their EOG remediation...bribery at it's finest!

And, can we please discuss the margarita machine! Beebs & Brian even got their own special, glasses!

 Beebs and her beautiful momma, Ms. Becky!

Of course we couldn't resist a big dance party!

Let's just say it was a very special night! Good friends & family, good weather,  good food, good drinks, good dancing, and lots of laughter! A perfect evening for an amazing couple! And the best news of all...we haven't even gotten to the wedding yet! Bring on the showers, bachelorette parties, and amazing times! 

Happy 1 year until your wedding day, Beebs & Brian!!!

The Power of Female Friendship

Since Summer has started I've had so much free time to catch up with so many of my girls that I have really been inspired by how great female friendships are! Yes, Kyle is my all-time best friend ever, but there are some things that boys just aren't great for-- gossiping, shopping, "lunching," baking, talking about babies, laying out, pedicures, etc! Basically, you just need your girls, and I've just been so blessed with some great girls in my life, some that I've known for forever and some for just a short while! I love how you can have different groups of girls that you do different things with, like...


My High School Girls: Good for Laughing, Drinking, & Remembering the "Good Ol' Days!" These are the girls that know your family. They're the ones you go "home" to. The ones who loved you even when you had awful bangs or dated some loser. The ones that you have way too many inside jokes with and who can finish your stories. They've got your back, and you literally go so far back that you could never not be friends...even if you only get to see some of them 3 times a year!

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." 

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

My College Girls: Good for Late Nights Chat Sessions, Double Dates, & Dinner Parties! These are the girls that watched you come into your own. The girls you experienced a lot of firsts with. The ones who watched you get engaged or went through a lot of "real life" stuff with as you officially became an adults. The ones who you became so close to so quickly that you can't remember not ever knowing them! The ones who you miss dearly and would give anything to go back to those days when you saw each other every day...literally!

"Friends are relatives you make for yourself. " 

~Eustache Deschamps

My Work Girls: Good for Understanding Everything You Go Through On a Daily Basis & Buying You a Drink to Help You Survive!  
These are the girls that you can vent to about all things school related. The ones who give you hugs after angry phone-calls from parents. The ones who bring you a cupcake on a rough day. The ones who you laugh with when one of you students does something absolutely ridonkulous! The ones who help make you want to be better at your job. And the ones that you couldn't go the entire summer without seeing so you do gym or coffee dates with to get you through!

"And time for reflection with colleagues is for me a lifesaver; it is not just a nice thing to do if you have the time. It is the only way you can survive." ~Margaret J. Wheatley

My Family Girls: Good for Games, Baking, Travels, and Lots of Happy Tears!  

These are the girls that you love not just because they're your family. The ones who celebrate all of your successes. The ones who you could go so long without seeing and pick right back up where you left off. The ones who shared your hideous outfits as a child because they got your hand-me-downs or you got theirs! And the ones who you know will be crying at the drop of a pin too because it's in your "McLeod" women genes. 

"You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."  

~Desmond Tutu

 Needless to say, I have so many gal pals to be thankful for! If you haven't in a while, take a minute (or ten!) to tell them how lucky you are to have them in your life! Remember, us girls have to stick together!