The Girls in My Life

No, this is not going to be about Maelin. If you only ever visit my blog to see what's up with Maelin and/or to live vicariously through a teacher in the ghetto, this is not the post for you.

I've been getting some slack lately about the posts I've been writing. Some people (who shall remain nameless) are a little annoyed that they've been there for me through every single major life event that I've ever had, held a leg when Maelin was born, helped me pack up and move out of my ex's house and gave me a place to stay when I was so terrified that I'd be homeless, went with me when the previous love-of-my-life had to be put to sleep (my wonderful kitty Chloe) and cried just as hard as I did, showed up at the hospital too many times to count when my mom was close to death and argued with the nurses there when I was too exhausted to do it, almost got on a plane to Italy when I was too scared to contemplate going by myself in the hopes that I would go after all, and countless other amazing, selfless things that only true girlfriends will do for you...and there's been yet a post about them.

Ok...you've earned it.

So this post is not about the current love-of-my-life Maelin: it's going to be about the other girls in my life that give me the strength, courage and most of all, the humor to do what I do every day. This post is about my friends.

I have been really lucky all my life to be surrounded by brilliant, self-assured, hilarious and extremely grounded girlfriends. I know not everyone is as lucky. 2 of my oldest friends have been involved in every major life decision since I was about 20. So that means we've been as close as sisters for almost 15 years. Another friend has been around in one way or another for about 10 years and it feels like she's always been here. The final two are newer friends: but that doesn't mean that I don't totally adore both of them and thank god every day that I'm that lucky to have them in my life.

I'm going to start with Kat. As you probably know, she is married to my brother now so not only is she one of my best friends in the world, she's my sister-in-law and Maelin's auntie. That's pretty cool. I am so lucky to have her. She drops everything the minute I call. She is probably one of the most fun people I know: she has an awful singing voice, but that doesn't stop her from belting out any song (complete with incorrect lyrics) if it means it will put a smile on Maelin's face. I'll never forget when Maelin was born. Long story short: although I had wanted all my girls in the room with me when Maelin came, Kat was the first one who made it. She brought snacks. She drank with Kevin to pass the time. She argued with the nurses when they wouldn't give us a sheet when I desperately wanted one. She held my legs and helped me breathe. Then she cried as Maelin entered the world.

She has been there every day since. Who knows better how Maelin likes to dance? Or sing? Who else would I trust my precious little girl with as much as Kat? No one. She loves her as much as I love her and that's so much more than any mom could ever ask. I'm so lucky to have her.

Then we're going to Sherry and Emily. These two have been my rocks through life since I was 20 years old. They've helped me through everything: grad school, parental illness, breakups, weddings, children, etc. They met me out in Italy when I was teaching out there for a fun 2 weeks of girl time and they were sure to call me once a week while I was teaching to be sure I never got too lonely. They were the ones that convinced me that I could go to college and be successful and they were the ones who wrote letters of recommendations and helped me with the essays. They held my hands during my wedding(s)! and held me when I cried over them. They have been my sisters through life. They drove me to doctor appointments when I was in labor for 3 days, showed up just as Mae was making her entrance to get pictures and they love my family as much as I do. Even though we're all busy now and don't get to see each other as much as we'd like to, they are my family and nothing will ever change that.

Now Katey and Christina. These two are awesome. I've known Christina for about 10 years and Katey for about 5 but it seems much more than that. If you've ever met someone and felt an immediate attraction to them because you feel like your souls speak to each other, that's what it was like with both of these ladies. I met them through the people they were dating and even though those relationships are long gone and over, my friendship with them will always be there. I love how much they both love life and adore their friends. I am so lucky to have girlfriends who are as loyal and true as these two are to me.

Now here's the best part: ALL these ladies know each other, like each other and we actually choose to all hang out together! How lucky is that?!? I love that when it's time for me to go out, I don't have to choose who I'm hanging out with that night...we all go out together! Everyone loves everyone else. It's very much like 90210. :-)

There's my post about my girls. Here's a few pictures of some of the amazing things we've done together over the many years.

I love you ladies!!! I'm so lucky to have you!


This is last summer in Seattle with Kat, Maelin and I. We had a great week out there visiting my sister.


Emily, Sherry and I at Em's Bach Party.


This is Katey, Em and I at Emily's "Cowboy" Engagement Party


Kat and I...where we were officially made "sisters" (even though we already were)


Kat, Christina and I at a party for Christina's birthday...honestly don't remember when this was. (there's been a lot of birthdays)


All my girls and I at my baby shower they threw for me. I'm very pregnant and I love my girls!


Emily, Sherry and I dancing at a friend's wedding. Who needs Men when you have friends like this?


Christina, Emily and I at Katey's Bach Party. Oh, we girls LOVE to celebrate!


Love this picture: Kat, Emily, Christina and I at Katey's wedding. We're the cutest girls ever!


Katey and I went to Rome for a week a few years ago. We had an amazing time!


My girl Kat and I enjoying our wine in Paris. I think this was in the red light district right across the street from the Moulin Rouge. We enjoyed our wine that night!


Christina, Kat and I in Santa Fe. For those of you who don't know, Santa Fe is an AMAZING girls' trip. It's a 6 hour drive from Denver and we used to go every year. We love our time down there.


Christina, Katey and I when "Phantom of the Opera" came through a few years ago. We lived it up that night!


Emily, Shery, Katey and I trooped down to New Orleans for my 30th birthday. We spent about 4 days down there and really enjoyed Bourbon Street and our late-night pizza!