Celebrate

June, the most celebrated month of the year (arguably, of course) has finally arrived. Let the celebrating commence! You may not know it, but only the best have been born in this fine month (enter me). Okay, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but in all seriousness, for some reason, my calendar is always really full during this month. More birthdays, weddings, and other celebratory events seem to crop up this time of year. I'm pretty sure Hallmark doesn't mind though as it has forced me to become a frequent customer.
Well, it is during this fine month that I will mark the end of my 30th year. It certainly zoomed by. I had such grandiose ideas for all the exciting things I planned to do. Some I did, others I just simply never got around to. Either way, I’m still celebrating because I've had a pretty good year. It definitely involved a LOT of change, but all in all, I think my 30s are definitely off to a great start. More importantly, I’ve learned the importance of celebrating and appreciating those in my life that I love. People are always going to be more important than things, jobs, schedules...It doesn’t matter how busy you get, at the end of the day, it is your relationships that matter most, and sometimes you need to make sure they know how much you appreciate them. This past year has certainly been a monumental transition year for me, but these are a few of the favorites in my life that have made it super great. So this post is for my peeps. Today, I celebrate you (or at least a few of you specifically, but ALL of you in spirit).

My hero, Kiki - "This is E at the front desk..." Man, I miss doing that! :) I celebrate you for daring to make a change (and also for being the willing sucker who would pick me up and drive me to work in nasty snow storms even though I have mad-crazy passenger tendencies which are only amplified in bad weather). You totally rock! You have that special gift of lighting up a room when you walk in the door. I miss the easy way you can bring a quick smile to my face and the many laughs we've shared. You were and are so good for my soul. Know that it takes guts to pack up, walk the other direction, and embrace change. You are a stronger than you know and I'm certain the best is yet to come.

M - My unlikely friend. I remember thinking when we first met that we had absolutely nothing in common. We probably still don’t, but as opposite as we are, you became a forever friend. You have been everything from my shopping buddy, fellow pool bum, and road-tripping sister, to my courtroom support system and my family when there was none nearby. We've helped move each other more times than I care to recall, we've taken vacations and spent holidays together, and some of life's most private and poignant moments have been shared between you and I (and often a small table at Palamino's). We have quite literally walked with each other to hell and back, and I celebrate a bond with you that is unbreakable.

My dear, sweet grumpa – I celebrate your long life and the big, beautiful family you have left behind. I am blessed to have had such a great grandpa in my life for 30 years and you are sorely missed. You will remain forever in my heart (and forever the “king” of the to-do list).

To my other two musketeers here in AZ ...I celebrate the rekindling of old friendships. My transition back to the desert was made a million times easier with your friendships. You've helped to reestablish my faith in God and in his perfect timing. It doesn't hurt, either, that my two beautiful fashionistas keep me looking good, my head screwed on straight, and my my body happy with a little regular yoga-friend time.

To my boys (my bud in Pell City (Exit 2) and the bearded one in the Big Apple) You guys are pretty much awesome! Hands down the best listeners! Mostly because you let me ramble endlessly and it doesn't seem to bother you. I'm so lucky that you are both only a short text or phone call away. You always seem to know just what to say (or more importantly NOT say) when I start rambling on like a blubbering fool. How you both are still single, I honestly do not know. And to the bearded one...anyone who willingly uses their vacation time to help pack me up and move cross country is either A) crazy or B) crazy. Thanks a million! Love you guys!

To the couple who kindly pays the rent…yes, you know who you are. I celebrate the fact that we have not yet killed one another, a true feat indeed. Words are not able to express the amount of accolades you deserve for putting up with my monstrously crazy self. You probably deserve your own holiday, but we wouldn’t want to get carried away…

To my fellow CR’s – I celebrate you for all the times you have painfully pushed me, commiserated with me, talked with me, and most importantly dreamed with me. There is no other group of people filled with more grit and determination than you. So I celebrate the dreamer that resides in you all.

Mark Twain once said, “Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great. So today I celebrate these, and all the other really great people I’m blessed to have in my life. Cheers to you!