My best gal of nearly 15 years is saying “I do” in less than a month and I’m an emotional wreck about it. So much life has been had with this woman by my side and I cannot believe I get to watch her embark on the same journey that has afforded my life so much joy. So much fulfillment. I’ve been thinking back to the day we met, quite a bit, only because we met by chance (the same way I met Justin, actually). We lived less than a mile from one another for years and we never managed to cross paths - until the universe (along with our two younger sibs) aligned our space with one another. I’ll never forget the puzzled look Leeana had on her face when she saw me holding her baby sister’s hand. She looked so confused, as did I - I had no clue that Jose and Nicole came with an older sister.

From that day on, my life was forever changed (unbeknownst to me). But that’s the thing about childhood friendships. They grow in such an organic and innocent manner, and they grow quickly. Our time together consisted of talks about boys, school, summer strolls through suburbia, facial masks at sleepovers, belting out our favorite jams side by side, and eventually sharing those feelings you reserve for only the most trusting of people… there was nothing else like it. I grew so comfortable with her. As did my family. And for years to come, Leeana was always the one person, or her house was always the one place I could be found outside of my own.

High school came around not too long after and our adventures and memories expanded and matured... in some ways. Our first run in with the law (a police officer’s first pull over), sneaking out, and my first introduction to a congregation that promoted a love for Jesus so intense, I left weeping and immediately knew that I needed to give my heart and faith to the good lord. We would go days on end spending time with one another and those are the memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.

To this day, she is one of the few people I can be surrounded by for several days and I never tire of her company. That’s not to say we haven’t gone through the ringer with growing pains and separation. Believe me, we’ve had our girl rama drama more times than I can count. We’ve had friendship hiatuses, we’ve taken “breaks” from each other, we’ve distanced ourselves, and yet in the end - we always find our way back. It is the most beautiful friendship I have ever had, as it has withered every storm, every trial, and each phase of my adult life and it has survived.

There are three vivid memories that stand out for me the most in my adult life with this woman.

#1 The day I asked her to be the god mother of my first born child

#2 The day I told her my mom passed away

#3 The day Leeana called me and told me she was getting married

I told you, a lot of life. And here we are. Three god babies later, a Frederick Wingate, two fur babies, two cross country moves (both by me), and a Vegas wedding for a soon to be December bride.

Leeana,

If you are reading this, this little excerpt is for you. First and foremost, I love you. You have been the standing definition of a loyal, imperfectly perfect friend and you have stood by me countless times. You have showed up countless times. You are so much more than just a friend. You are family. It is an absolute honor to know that you wanted me to be there on your special day. I keep thinking about what it’ll look like. Being in your bridal room. Watching your mom help you with your wedding dress. Catching a glimpse of someone praying over you for your special day. Photographing you while you get your make up done, all dolled up and completely flawless. I imagine in those moments leading up to you heading towards the limo.. your heart will be racing as you head towards the biggest day of your life. I’ll be rooting for you. I’ll be the blubbering mess crying as you promise forever to the man you love. I’ll be there.

far from ordinary

It's natural for every parent to say they have the best child in the world. To state that their child was born to do great things. That their children were destined to be a star. I guess what sets me apart from the stereotype (in my mind) is I don't just feel inclined to say it. I feel it. I know it. My daughter is a game changer. She is a mode breaking human being. How have I come to this conclusion about my four month old you ask? Spend one minute around her, and you'd see. I have never met anyone that makes me smile like Ava does. Even on the days where parenting challenges me, I can't help but be grateful that I am a mother to this already curious little being. 

At this very moment, I am watching my little girl sleep, tears in my eyes, I am completely overcome with emotion. Each night, Justin and I discuss our daughter, her childhood, and what we'd like for her. Talking about how we want to make all of her dreams come true. This is a big deal to us. Growing up, I didn't have an awful childhood, but I did have a divided childhood. My parents divorced when I was very young, and not having that "ideal family" definitely took a toll on me as I grew up. I had a lot of resentment, anger, confusion, emotions I didn't know how to process until I was much older. I used to wonder how different my life would have been, if I had that traditional upbringing. Since marriage and motherhood, those thoughts have subsided. 

Justin grew up in a divided childhood as well. When you're a kid placed in situations like this, you don't always get the better end of the deal. Diving into marriage, that was the ONE thing we agreed on early on. We would always fight for each other. Life has shown us, sometimes love isn't enough. Sometimes, you have to fight for what you want. You have to dedicate yourself 200% We always knew we wanted to have children together. We want our children to have better upbringings than we did. We want our children to always feel love and know what love looks like. What a family looks like.  With mom and dad and siblings. we want to show our children that happiness isn't ordinary. Striving to be happy each day is extraordinary. 

I guess that's why I call Ava our game changer. Even this little infant of mine, has become so extraordinary already. Since she arrived I have smiled everyday, I have laughed, my heart has been warm, thus making my baby a mode breaker. She came into this world with love right from the very start. Everyone supported my pregnancy and everyone has fallen in love with this little girl. I hope she never loses this innocence she has. I hope she always has the capability to warm hearts and change people's lives. I know she's too young to see it now, but without her, I don't think I'd be even a quarter of the person I have become. Ava makes me strive for extraordinary happiness everyday. 

New York

Can I just say I haven't felt this "stress free" in weeks! Prior to block leave I was stressing hard core about packing, driving fourteen hours with an infant, etc. I didn't think I was going to enjoy the car ride up the coast (I didn't) I thought our dog was going to go nuts sitting in the car for so long... Surprisingly, everything worked out. I have to say, (I've said it before) we have got such a good baby on our hands. Ava was an absolute champ the entire drive up to New York.

When she slept, I pumped and expressed milk into bottles. She woke up, I changed her, fed her, entertained her and then she'd go right back to sleep. No major fusses. She did have one meltdown, but I held her and rocked her while Justin pumped gas and got refreshments; She was all smiles after that. I was even able to get like 6 hours of sleep while my husband drove straight through. We avoided Washington D.C. traffic and Justin was ELATED about that. Since we arrived in New York, the week has been nothing but family, family, exploring. Our last visit up here, I took ONE MILLION photos. Thanks to Cooper (our pooch) my SD card was destroyed (so devastated about this still) So this time around, I am retaking pictures of EVERY memory, mark, or significant place in Justin's life, here. The hospital he was born in, first school, the house he grew up in, etc. The cool part is, our daughter is in these pictures. Aside from this, Ava has been melting the hearts of her aunts, grandparents, and her great-family members.

Since we've been in New York our little sprout has changed so much. She's scooting on her tummy time mat, she's gotten bigger and she just jabbers SO MUCH. It doesn't matter where we go, we get compliments on her demeanor ALL THE TIME. Random people at diners, random people at stores, you name the place, there is bound to be someone there that notices how crazy amazing our 9 week old is. The weather in New York is one million times better than the weather in Georgia. We have all enjoyed having 70 degree weather with ZERO humidity. There is a cool breeze that gives me nothing but smiles. I love being in the city! Buildings EVERYWHERE, homes that are like little ticky tacky's, and restaurants MINUTES away. This is the complete opposite of our home life in Georgia. Being in New York reminds me of how much I miss my home state. Here's a little scroll of some memories from my husband's childhood!

Cooper is also having a ball in New York! He made friends with a family dog up here! Buddy! Justin's father lives out in the country and boy has Cooper LOVED being out on his land. 

Overall, I'd say this trip has been awesome! Ava is thriving, Justin and I are rekindling, and we are spending time with family. Really couldn't have asked for a better trip!