A good friend...

A good friend... Is honored when you call them at 3am because you "just needed someone to talk to."

(Passionately) protects and defends your name if they hear someone else talking negatively about you.

Comes to your house two days after you had a baby just to help clean up, make food, and hold the baby while you sleep.

Does your dishes just to help relieve some of your stress.

Writes encouraging words in your birthday cards (more than just the simple "happy birthday!").

Comes over in their PJs to curl up and watch TV with you (like when you were kids) even if they have a husband at home.

Brings dinner and a movie over when your family has had a rough weekend.

Let's you move into their house for a week when the power goes out and actually enjoys your company the whole time.

Calls you just to encourage you after they read your down and out facebook status message.

Drives across three state lines just to make it to your baby (or bridal) shower.

Wants you to stay at their house instead of a hotel when you are on a trip to their town.

Signs up to run a half marathon with you just so you don't have to do it alone.

Stays up late to talk to you online until you really are feeling better.

Walks with you through the hard times and celebrates the good times.

This:

"Oh, the comfort -- The inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, Having neither to weigh thoughts, Nor measure words -- but pouring them All right out -- just as they are -- Chaff and grain together -- Certain that a faithful hand will Take and sift them -- Keep what is worth keeping -- and with the breath of kindness Blow the rest away."

And this:

I have had the honor of having real friends in my life. Without these ladies I would have shed many more tears and felt heartache for much longer periods of time. I love them and have incredible gratitude for all the love they have shown me. I hope to both spend many years returning their love and continuing to make the effort to pay it forward for the rest of my life.

I wanted to also say thanks to all of you for your incredibly encouraging words this past week. (With Sunday's sleep habits, preparing and then experiencing the half marathon.) I am beginning to understand the power of blogging and the awesome blessings it brings to both writers and readers. It's hard sometimes to share so much, but at the end of the day, I am always glad I clicked the Publish button. Thanks for being here, for listening, for encouraging me and for not judging my terrible grammar skills and overuse of the comma. I hope to be able to do the same for you in the coming years. :)

Much love today, friends!

congratulations sarah & nate! | personal

I was blessed with really great roommates during my college years. Sarah was my first roommate at Liberty University. She was so perfect for me at that time in my life - telling me like it was and not putting up with my drama. She helped teach me to accept the truth while also not being offended by it. She was with me when I went through my first real break up, some of the hardest family times I have dealt with, and during a time of huge change in my own heart/soul. Not to mention she is one of the most patient and accepting girls I know. I love her. :)

So when she let me know earlier this week that she was headed to town with  her boyfriend, I was really looking forward to spending time with them. She has visited a few times the past couple of years, each time to take a class or a test here at Liberty for her master's degree. But when her boyfriend stepped out of the room they were in to ask me (over the phone) when the local florist made their deliveries, I became a little suspicious. This wasn't a special occasion... Sarah was in town to take a test and that was it. It wasn't her birthday and valentine's day had already passed. Was he going to propose tonight? Then, a few hours later, we were once again on the phone making dinner plans and his only request was that we go to "somewhere nice." My suspicion grew.

Fast forward an hour or so and Sarah calls me and says "I'm engaged!!!" Ahhhh!! I totally knew it! I cannot tell you how exciting it was for me to be in the same town with her that very night! We are rarely ever in the same town and this was the first time I was actually meeting Nate. I was so excited and honored to be able to be there to celebrate and share in their joy.

Tommy and I stopped into their room on our way to dinner and I grabbed a few shots of them being oh-so-cute!

Congratulations, guys! I am so very happy for you!

Gratituesday: All the small things

Gratituesday is a weekly blog post (that I try to keep up with) I got involved with over here. You should join, too! If you do, be sure to let me know in the comments as I would love to read what you write about. Happy Tuesday, Friends.

I should have written this entry this morning... when I was in a yucky mood that inspired this little diddy. Taking the time to write a blog post about the good things in life always plays a little mind trick on me, usually turning my frown upside down. I am sure those with whom I interacted with today probably would have appreciated my frown have a flip to it. (Good thing they love me regardless. ;))

Tonight... I am grateful for things that are good for my soul. I know, pretty broad topic. The past few days have been a little rocky. I honestly don't know if it's nutrition related or what... but I have been Cranky with a capital C. I'm talking... the kind of cranky where even I know I am being ridiculous. But, there have been a few things that have helped me stop and smell the roses, per se... and this week, I am grateful for them.

Specifically...

This song:

My church family that continually embraces me and reminds me what real love is.

All the people and conversations that have fallen into place perfectly over the past few days (err, God's provision, really)... helping me find peace about a big decision.

Good (non-project-interrupting) weather today.

That Tommy tells me like it is. =)

So... this week... I am grateful for all the small things! Here's to hoping I'll get a great night sleep tonight that'll knock this cranky attitude out of me.

What are you grateful for this week?