faith and friendship

The past 10 days have been quite the whirlwind for our family. We've been back and forth to CA twice, E spend 10 days in CA, and we saw those dearest to us. It was both exhausting and amazing.

I felt so honored to have spent this past weekend as a bridesmaid in my dear friend, Kacie's wedding. It was truly a beautiful day filled with love and the love that Kacie and her new husband, John have for one another.

Kacie and I have been friends for 9 years. Our friendship was instant and started at a sorority event our sophomore year of college. We spent the rest of our college career dancing the nights away, often one another's dates to events, and eating lots of pizza while watching Sex and the City. It provided for us a foundation of love, respect, and loyalty to one another.

As is always the case, life after college changes things. I got married, moved to San Diego, and started my career in non-profit, working for St. Jude. Kacie was a single gal and amazing teacher that was looking for the perfect school to start at.

In the last 6 years since we graduated, everything about our lives have changed, and much about our friendship. It got easier, because of our day to day differences to not call daily. Or have spontanous trips to South Coast. We spent more of our time together catching up than ever before. And that was ok. When the big things happened, we always called eachother right away. And we always were a source of steadfast support for one other.

I became a mom. Kacie left a life of teaching and dedicated her life to international mission work. I've been married for 6 years, and Kacie is just now a newly wed.

One of the things that I have admired most about Kacie is her faith. She has such faith in faith... and that has long been something that I have struggled with. I think it pretty much went out the window when my parents seperated. I lost my faith in a lot of things, but losing my faith in faith has created a constant battle.

I consider myself Christian. But for me, it is about living my life (and teaching my daughter) to live a life of compassion, friendship. loyalty. It means to be non-judgemental towards others. It means loving your family and friends. It means giving back to your community. I realize there is a lot more to being Christian, but those things I list above are what I can commit to in my life right now.

Jason and I have made an effort to seek a church community of other young families that want to raise their daughter the same way we do. And, we've attend one specific church a few times and are not totally sure it is the right fit. But, we talk about it and we're getting more comfortable with adding this weekly commitment to our family. But, we don't pray as a family and we don't talk about the bible. At this point, we're still figuring it out. And, for me that is ok.

This weekend was filled with a lot of faith in faith. It was really eye opening to me. It was different, but wonderful. It was overwhelming, but pure. And it was exciting to see my best friend so happy.

Despite not being a part of her day to day life, Kacie has remained a steadfast part of my life. And hopefully always will. I feel really lucky to say that I feel I have 3 best friends, with her among them. And, I know she has other amazing women in her life that she calls her best friends. I feel thankful that we are each surrounded by amazing women to lift us up.

6 years ago when we graudated college, Kacie and I spoke on one another's behalf at our sorority's senior brunch. At the time, I shared a quote that I felt defined our friendship.... "What's the good of news if you haven't someone to share it with." I still feel that way.

I realize that this seems like a bit of a love letter to my friend. And, in a way, it is. She has truly been a steadfast person in my life and is often a moral compass in my life. She is also an inspiration for having faith in faith. I'm not sure if I'll ever feel the same way she does, but I always aspire to be better, more loyal, and more faithful.

And, becuase I can share her beautiful wedding story and our friendship without a few pictures of the beautiful wedding...

Bride and groom, first dance.

My date and fearless lil sis, Molli. She was such a fun date for this wedding. We had a ridiculas and silly time together.

Because we must pay homage to our favorite pose from college.

Loved this hair piece and my hair.