Wednesday, September 7, 2011

I Won't Let Go

"I Won't Let Go"  Rascal Flatts



Friend
noun.
1.) person attached to another by affection or regard.

These past few days have been busy. The good kind of busy.
You know, the kind where you lose yourself in moments with the ones you love.

The definition above, is only a small fraction of what friend means to me.

A friend is someone who turns your frown upside down in an instant, with just their presence.
Jessica and I...Thursday night-Girl's Night


A friend is someone who shares food with you. Down to the last risotto ball and quesadilla triangle.

A friend is someone who inspires you to be silly and laugh at yourself.

A friend is someone you could talk to for 300 hours at a time. And yet, still feel like you need 300 more.
Jessica and I after a wonderful night in town.

Jessica.
The girl has got some major talent!
I knew she was the perfect friend to turn to, while deciding on the perfect baby shower gift for a friend.
Jessica turned a bag of ordinary baby onesies, pants, wash clothes, and socks into this bright and BEAUTIFUL work of art!





Mama-to-be, Jill, adored it! How cute is she!? It even matched her dress!

LikeLOVE what you see?
Jessica can be contacted @ jlengro@yahoo.com

For more on her talents and info...
as well as my friend, Kelly's
see THIS POST.

Speaking of  lovely friends...
And speaking of Kelly...

Kelly is also a friend who shares food. *omygoodness, this looks so good to me right now*

A friend is someone who shares it all, down to Kahlua cheesecake.

A friend is someone who listens and shares so much of themselves with you, and allows you to do the same.
Kelly and I, Friday @ the Cheesecake Factory


A friend is someone who offers to take pretty pictures of you.

We ventured into the mall and tried on some pretty fabulous headbands.
Kelly looking exquisite.


And me, well, not so much.


We decided to walk the 5 mile trail (and a few bites of that cheesecake off)
It was gorgeous outside. The weather was perfect. AND, we had no idea what was in store for us in the coming miles.
So, we set off.
We walked, we TALKED, we laughed til our stomachs exploded.
About a mile and a half in, we ran into this guy. (Come on, I had to take a picture)
Kelly called him, He-Man. He was nearly naked. Ankle weighted. And orange. He called every little boy he walked by, Junior. And he was surely on a mission.
He-Man quickly disappeared into the wilderness.
(I hope He-Man doesn't read my blog)


At about mile 3, we approached a couple (not a teenage couple, a couple in their 40's, mind you) under a tree that UHHH, needed to UM, find a hotel room fast! Very fast! We will leave it at that. It was FRIGHTENING. The kind of frightening where you couldn't help but look back 728 times.
But instead of risking looking like weirdos, we did the next best thing. We took a picture.
Yes, I know you can barely see them.  Be thankful for that.

It left us scarred. Just look at our faces.


Ok, phewww...glad that is over with.
Back to enjoying our walk.
Check out Kelly @ Stay at Home Trader and XtophyDesignStudio


How could I go wrong, with starting my weekend in the company of the lovely ladies above?!


Saturday, I felt a bit like Cindarella.  I woke up and cleaned all day.  I finshed all the extra offices my boss asked for help with by late afternoon.  I came home, sweaty and in need of a shower.  And by night, I got all snazzy, and Steve and I headed to dinner in the city with friends.  My friend, Jen and I decided we would celebrate our birthdays a few weeks early, and our gift, would be a fancy night out with our men.  It was such a treat.
I quickly began to feel more Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" than Cinderalla.
No, I didn't work the street corners.
But, I'm not the most swift when it comes to fancy schmancy places.  I mean, I love getting all dolled up.  But, I don't walk in heels well.  I kinda walk like a lumberjack. I fumble over myself and had to hold Jen's hand every time we walked downstairs to use the bathroom ladies lounge. I am easily amazed.  I Ohh and Ahh over every little detail when somewhere out of the ordinary.  The ladies room had a super sweet bathroom attendant, who awaited you with a hand towel when you were finished washing your hands.  She opened and closed doors for you.  She had an array of every-possible-thing-you-could-ever-need, just sitting on the counter for your enjoyment.  Jen and I sprayed ourselves down with "expensive bathroom counter perfume" each time we took a visit.
I'm so caught up in the bathroom-o-fun, I'm forgetting to mention how amazing the dinner was.  Steak, crab cakes, spinach, potatoes.  We were all in heaven.  And soon, a food coma.  It was a wonderful night.  A rare treat.  And as the dinner came to an end, I said, "You know, this was insanely good...Is it weird that Taco Bell is just as good to me?!"  Everyone agreed, Taco Bell IS just as good. :)

But, food...
Food is never as good as the company in which you choose to share it with.  And Saturday, was another perfect example of the gift of friendship.

Pictures from our sweet evening.
Sean and Jen

The Mr and I

Yum!

Sean and Jen outside the vault

Me and Steve

Studs.

Me and Jen, after our 73rd trip to the ladies room  perfume spritz

Jen and Sean, 7 weeks til their wedding day!

Me, Steve and a bag of beef (it was really cheesecake, bag of beef just sounded better)


Sunday, Steve had his beloved "almost beginning of Football season day" at a friend's house.  I have to admit, as much as I sometimes shake my head at all the fuss that comes with Sundays this season...it makes me smile to see Steve so enthusiastic about something he loves.

While Steve was enjoying the company of his friends, I was enjoying the company of a new friend.  We walked into town.  She introduced me to a new and adorable coffee shop.  We walked some more, iced coffee in hand, and parked it on a bench in a nearby park.  We talked.  We talked a lot.  About it all.  And I am so very thankful to have met her. 

Later that night, we got an unexpected invite to meet up with some friends in town.  Friends we haven't seen in way too long.  There were laughs.  There were chats.  There was karaoke.
Though Labor Day involved a little labor and the sun was nowhere to be found, it was good day.  Steve and I took a trip to Target. One that made for a pretty interesting order, given our fast approaching "trying time" (more to come with that, in next post).  I spent the night with my Mom and Nani.  My Mom and I "played hairdresser" and Nani was our subject.  I wish I had photos. We sat and caught up for a couple hours and I left with my day complete. After a weekend of joyous occasions, Monday night left me pretty sappy and happy (hey, that rhymes). I felt refreshed...invigorated...renewed.

It left me thinking a lot about my friends.  And what friend means to me.
A friend is a long phone call on a rainy day.  A hilarious text message.  A 15 paragraph email.
A friend is a walk with nowhere to go.  A few good laughs.  A hug, a kiss, an "I love you"
A friend is a chat across a booth about everything and nothing all at once.
A friend is my husband.  A friend is my mother.  A friend is the sleeping kitty at the end of the bed as I type.
A friend is a note on your windshield, on a day you need it most.  A card.  A joke to make you smile.
A friend is a shoulder to cry on.  Someone who lets you be you.  And loves you for it.
A friend is someone you trust and believe in and someone who trusts and believes in you.


"I Won't Let Go"

"It’s like a storm
That cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you're lost
But you're not lost
On your own
You're not alone

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go

It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh, it finds us all
But we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh, but when it rains

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let you fall

Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you
I won't let you down
It won't get you down
You're gonna make it
Yeah, I know you can make it"


To me, a friend is someone you pray for...someone you have hope for...someone whose dreams, you have faith will come true.

Happy Wednesday, Friends
<3<3<3

25 comments:

Melissa said...

Your posts never fail to make me run the gamut of every emotion! I loved laughing at the image of He-man and imagining the older couple canoodling beneath the tree! Good times with great friends and delicious food always seem to be on your plate. I'm so glad you're doing well :)

Nicole said...

Maria you truly have some very talented and beautiful friends. I love what Jessica made it's absolutely adorable and perfect for a baby shower, and Kelly is amazing as well, I love her work! Your blog always leaves me with such food envy, Saturday night sounded like a wonderful night out. I'm so happy things have been going good for you :)

Maria said...

OMG! I love that you took a picture of the half naked guy with ankle weights! Seriously. LOVE IT! Friends are awesome! I am happy that we crossed paths and grew to be friends! If all of my losses were so that I would start a blog and meet you, then it was worth it.

V said...

This is such a sweet post :) glad you had such a good weekend! <3 V

Tina said...

You have such great friends!!!! (And I love that bouquet!!! Such talented friends you have!)

I love having friends you can be goofy with and have heart to heart talks with. They are the best!!!

Stephanie said...

First off, I have to address He-Man. HAHAHA. I'm so jealous that you got to see that in person. Thank you for taking a picture for the rest of us. That's awesome.

It sounds like you had a very wonderful past few days! How lucky are you to have such great friends! :) I love the days where you just hop randomly from one place to the next with one of your best girls. You never know what you're going to get - hello He-Man! :) But seriously, good friends are one of the absolute best things in life!

...and I'm hungry again. I'm always hungry after reading or SEEING your posts, it seems. :)

I hope your coming days are as good as these ones! :)

Kelly @ Stay at Home Trader said...

hahahaha you crack me up! thank you so much for being there for me the last couple of days. Ugh...I am really in a funk!

BUT...you always know just what to do, just what to say, just the right PICTURE TO TAKE, to make me die laughing! hahahahaha!

that walk was one for the record books! i told you he-man would be a hit! LMAO!!! and i still can't believe those people were right on the path gettin' their smoosh on! GROSS!!!!

you are blessed to have so many wonderful people in your life. it kinda makes everything make sense somehow.

i love that you and jen visited the bathroom a million times. hahaha! i've heard about that place. it looks just as amazing as i had imagined.

so glad you had a great weekend!

xoxoxoxoxo

Mrs. E said...

Aww Maria, I love this post! I laughed and got teary-eyed, all at once =) I'm glad you have such wonderful friends in your life. I think it says a lot about what a great friend you are, too! Okay, now I'm off to write you an email! xoxoxoxo~

Kerstin@TheRealHousewivesofIdaho.blogspot.com said...

Yay for good friends! It means so much to have someone there for you like your friends are. And you are a good friend to have good friends like that!

And...I saw that salad and knew exactly what is was (BBQ chicken salad) from my fave Cheesecake Factory! Too funny! Now I want one!

Stephanie @ Blonde Highlights said...

Ahhh - I love Del Frisco's! And I'm with you on the walking in heels thing... I can never walk right and I end up clomp clomping around.

Erin said...

Maria,
I can tell that you are soooo loved. You must be a wondermous friend. And that little onsie bouquet...spectacular. I laughed when I saw the pic of He-Man guy, cause you're right, he's not like the guys I took pics of!! :0)
You are precious and I love when you stop by my blog. BTW, I'm almost 53! Don't tell your hubby!
Blessings,
~Erin

LOVE MELISSA:) said...

These pictures are great! You have some really loved friends and you deserve it. The picture with the weights on the ankle is cracking me up. Your posts are always wonderful!

LOVE MELISSA:) said...

And I agree, your posts always make me ready for my next meal:)

Kristy said...

I loved this post! I laughed and longed for time with my best friend. I'm a new follower.
http://www.kristy-s-place.blogspot.com/

Hi, I'm Aleisha! said...

TacoHead! I have been wondering and wondering about you. I have been anxiously awaiting a post from you for three or four days...or something like that! SO SO SO glad to have something from you to read. I always enjoy your posts. This one was hilarious AND sweet. I've been thinking a lot about friends this week too. GOsh, my friends mean a lot to me. Last week was long and this week will be even longer. I've had ups and downs; I've been blue. A good friend caught me on a blue day and I had to have a bawl fest on her shoulder. Within 30 minutes of seeing her, her cute daughters (13 and 10) were on my doorstep with a box of Froot Loops and a note that said: "You are Froot Loops in a world of cheerios and we love you." SO SWEET! Friends brighten days. Friends provide solace. Friends offer donuts and Diet Coke! I agree whole heartedly with everything you said about friendship in this post. It really was lovely!

Hi, I'm Aleisha! said...

LOVED THE PIC of you and that crazy Kelly! Goodness, she's a hoot!

Ericka said...

LOVE the onesie bouquet! Adorable! It looks like you and your friends had some very funfastic times! Awesome!

lovejoy_31 said...

It's so good to have such close friends. How creepy that the old people decided they needed a serious PDA. Do neither one of them have a home they could do that in???? Your pics crack me up though.

Thanks so much for the sweet comments on my blog. And you can keep telling me how beautiful my DD is. LOL!!! I never tire of hearing that.

Rebecca said...

Maria - I love your blog!!! So fun and inspiring. Love the orange man with the ankle weights......how funny! Looks like a good weekend with lots of good food!

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you have such great friends close to you! You deserve it!

I really miss my friends. I moved 4.5 hours away 5 years ago and I just haven't made a close friendship here remotely like my friends who are so far away. I greatly miss them!

Anonymous said...

You are a good woman!! And there was a deFriscos where I grew up ... West coast ... just wanted to say hi!

Rachel Marie said...

I loved this post :) It made me smile ... and laugh. What a gorgeous view for walking ... well except for He-man, and 40+ make out sessions. lol. Guess you gotta take the good with the bad. Sorry I've been MIA with the comments :( I'm having drama drama drama over on my blog ... people just can't help but stalk the ones they hate I guess :) Glad to see you're doing good.

Unknown said...

Wow! What a lovely post! The pictures are beautiful and the messages etc. so powerful. Good friends are to be treasured. I can never forget this quotation - "Friends are God's way of taking care of us." Have a wonderful weekend.

Kerry said...

Hi!! I found your cute blog through the Lots of Lovin' blog hop :)
Following along...can't wait to read more!
Have a good weekend Maria :)

Kerry said...

Hi again Maria!! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such an awesome comment!! I am having trouble following you at the moment, blogger is playing up but I promise I'll keep trying till it works :)
Your blog is very cool, I am looking forward to catching up on your posts, they look funny!
I appreciate your lovely compliments too, be back soon! xo

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