The Journey Of Your Life

I was going to make this a photo blog called "One of Those Nights" after the Tim McGraw song. It was going to be dedicated to all the nights I spent with my friends back home and all the fabulous moments shared with them.

It was going to be strictly photos because I'm not going to reveal all the shenanigans my friends and I participated, or didn't participate in. However, I can't avoid words so I've found another way.
Life is a helluva ride. You can do it solo or find a few rare weeds like yourself to keep you company.
I am without a doubt one of the luckiest humans in the world when it comes to friendships. The loyalty they have to me. The respect they have when I don't deserve it. The love they show 24/7/365. The pride they have in me. The perseverance they have for sticking out a friendship with the world's flakiest, most ADD human alive. From the newest ones who don't know my favorite color, to the oldest who know my deepest and darkest secrets; this blog is a little thank you to you. A recognition at the least. This is strictly to the friends I was able to squeeze into my short three weeks home. I love each and every one of you fully, but in a variety of ways and for a number of reasons. I'll never be half the friend to y'all as you are to me. 
When I left for New York, I wrote a blog thanking each special person in my life and telling each of you why I love you. In this blog, under your photo, in addition to why I love you is why I'm proud of you. And although y'all seem to admire me for being a wanderer, I admire you so much more for who you have become or who you are becoming. 
I know we'll keep growing up, moving away and changing, but we've made it this far. Life throws curve balls and that's ok. That's why we're all in this together. Eventually, because I've already seen it starting, we'll only see each other at weddings and reunions, and that's ok, too. We'll marry outside our circle of friends. We'll have careers that consume us. We'll have babies and then they'll consume us. But at the end of the day, just remember who is there, who was there and who is going to be there. 
So, if y'all don't mind, I'd like to hold on to you for forever.

To my best friends' mothers, who are my mothers, too. Who worry as much as my own mother about what I'll say wrong, where I'll go next and what I'll get into. For sharing your daughter/son with me.  If for whatever reason my own mother isn't available, I know I'll always have half a dozen more to rely on. 

Bobbers: This is my new favorite photo of us. It captures the amount of happiness I have in your presence. Thank you for being the most loyal, kind-hearted and generous human I've ever had the privilege to call a best friend. #Positivity

Jeffro: I don't know where to start. I am beyond thrilled we've made it this many years. I am INCREDIBLY proud of the man, friend and husband you have become. I'm still bragging about you! #grownmanstatus

Chris: I'm so incredibly proud of how far you've come in your journey and that you've started a life and career in the Big D. You're an incredible daddy and still manage to find the time to be an amazing friend.
Wesley: Keep taking steps. Size doesn't matter. When you get there, you'll know. Meanwhile, keep enjoying life because there is no such thing as back. 

Nana: The best thing about our friendship is we never have to catch up. We just pick up. No matter where I go or for  how long, it's like I never left. Be patient, it'll come to you. I love you! :)

B: I love you because I can't wait to tell you all the things I'm never supposed to say. I love you for being as crazy, if not crazier, than me. I'm proud of you for Arkansas and taking the next step. 

Em: For staying true to yourself. Forget the haters. You are a beautiful, crazy, free soul and it's what I love most about you. Thank you for putting so much time aside for me when I was home and just letting me be home and comfortable. I'm lucky you squeezed further into my heart this past year. I know you struggle, but I'm always here, and you WILL finish school and it WILL be worth it all in the end. #pushitrealgood :) 

My girls: for ALWAYS being there <3 

KB: For never changing, yet constantly changing. For living fearlessly, and being the person who taught me to be young, wild and free. You're forever my tiny soulmate. #KBtakesBeijing

        

Elk: For your optimism, encouragement and ever-loving heart. The dearest person I know. Now, if only you could instill as much faith in yourself. What would Captain America do? :) 

B: We just keep getting closer all the time. I never imagined we'd make it this far, but I can't imagine where I'd be without you. Thank you for being religious about FaceTime calls. And thank you for always being curious, rather than judgmental. I'm so proud of the woman you're becoming and the wife you are to Jeffrey (we know he'da failed without you, haha). 

Hammdoll: For being the sweetest, most thoughtful and encouraging friend I've ever had.  Time and distance never affects us. You've always been one of the most beautiful girls I've ever known, inside and out. Your heart is bigger than anyone I know. I'm so proud of your career and still can't believe you have a home. I'm beyond proud of you. 

The world's bestest friends (the majority anyway).