My Girlfriends

The girls I’ve been close to since high school, the ones I spend my weeknights with in Charlotte, and the wondrous friends I’ve met in between. The roommates, the classmates, the relatives, the coworkers. Here’s to the road trips down 35, star gazing on Sullivan’s, wine tasting in Napa. For traveling the world with me, taking me in as family when I moved away from my own, for giving me the job. For cursing the bad guys, telling others how to correctly pronounce my name, and always cooking me dinner. Thank you for letting me stand in as your children’s Auntie Anna, be beside you on your wedding day, and with you when no one else is allowed in. I secretly enjoy the inappropriate text pictures I yell at you for, and know I am a better person for the fears you’ve made me confront. I miss the old school Wednesdays at Qdoba, and love the current Wednesday date nights. Thank you for taking me on family beach vacations, houseboat trips to the lake, and putting me up in your Chateau when I’m in Charleston. Cheers to curling up on the couch with a beer, wine tasting on our IKEA beds, and Bloody Marys… any day, any time, any place. Thank you for getting me through my work day though we’re 3 hours apart, for having me over for Thanksgiving when I can’t go home, and spoiling me when I’m sick. I am better because of you, I am stronger because of you, and I am most definitely less sensible at times because of you: )

“We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you, and think of you often.”
~Jeanette Winterson~

The Little Things This Fall

Grilling out. A new sundress. Skylines. Freshly washed sheets. A fair mechanic. The cool side of the pillow. An umbrella that matches my outfit. Trying out local Charlotte bars, one bloody mary at a time. Wednesday night date night. Sushi. A good run. How beautiful the trees are in our neck of the woods. Picture texts of my friend’s babies. A perfect avocado. Having time for an afternoon nap. White roses. Rooftops. Trader Joes. Ochocinco on a Sunday. Watching the clouds go by with someone. Paper Skyscraper. Haribo gummy bears. A simple ‘good morning’ text. Road trips. A new restaurant. Post Its. FNL. The occasional can of pop. Quiet weekends. Gel pens. Being on the water, specifically Lake Cumberland. Homemade pizza. Finally figuring out the correct lyrics. Browsing through greeting cards. Getting a package slip. Watching a best friend fall in love. Mixed CDs. Warm toes. A visit to see my parents. Fresh haircuts. Easy breezy fall days. Taking a stroll. Strike City OSU fans. Festivals. Early outs. Cornhole. Everyone’s ‘first day of school’ photos. Windows down. Sitting outside to eat. Switching from the typical white mocha to the chai or pumpkin spice. Him. Having a list of favorites that are pretty specific to my favorite season of the year.

Charleston, South Carolina

Sweet, sweet Charleston. The history, the art, the water. Just the smell of Charleston is poignant in a beautiful way (unless you’re headed over the Don Holt Bridge). My favorite streets: King, Rifle Range, Middle, Pitt, East Bay. My favorite restaurants: Sermet’s Corner, Monza, Village Street Bakery, La Pizzeria, Samos, Poe’s. My favorite spots: Pitt Street Pier, top of the Ravenel Bridge, Station 16, the Battery. My favorite events: Spoleto, fireworks at the Yorktown, Marion Square Farmer’s Market, Blessing of the Vine. I’m missing A LOT, I know. But everyone has their favorites, and those will forever be mine.

There’s a comfort that comes over me each time I drive into Charleston, a ‘peaceful, easy, feeling.’

Here’s my favorite picture that I took while strolling the streets with Ashley May one Saturday.