Back in February I had one of the most amazing nights with some incredible people. You may remember that I called it a Beneath the Surface (older post link) night. I got to have about 20 of my friends that have been significant on this one year journey, over to the house so that Jake and I could thank them. It was a very emotional night and I always describe it as a wedding and a funeral all in one. We experienced a night that was beyond our titles, troubles and schedules. We got to connect with one another and get out of our normal social realms. I didn’t know if I would ever do it again because it seemed to work out so perfectly before with no rhyme or reason to it. I didn’t plan and I didn’t know what the main purpose of the night was other than wanting to get all that amazing energy into one room. This time my only desire was to get my circle of friends together to meet each other. How many times do you ever get to have your diverse group of friends together to actually interact with each other?
Well, I got the chance again and my heart is so full. I have met so many new people on my journey and I wanted to get together again to share some of my resources in my organic garden. I ended up inviting everyone from last time plus a lot more and we had 20 people here and I think only three of them were returnees from the last get together. Amazing! The night was a little different because I wanted to introduce everyone to my friend’s (and chiropractors) that were in town for one night. I wanted Celia and Paul to talk about their rare chiropractic technique (Blair technique) and MonaVie. They will need their own post to share all that they have blessed me with. Instead of trying to describe all the details of the night I would rather introduce you to an incredible body of great peeps. I didn’t get to go around the room one by one this time to tell each person ‘thank you’ for being in my life, so here I go…
Every time the doorbell would ring and the kids would answer it, I would feel like it was Christmas. Each time a new person or couple would walk through the door, a gift was received:) I talked about Minda in the older post. She is a phenomenal woman that happens to be passionate about nutrition. I have witnessed a beautiful butterfly emerge from it’s cocoon in the last few years of knowing her. Her smile just gets brighter and she is shining her way through life. Thank you Minda, for giving me the courage and new tools to embark on a new path that was, and is, a lot intimidating.
Aaron…another inspiration (you’ll see this as a common thread). Talk about a metamorphosis…this beautiful soul has begun a journey of finding himself and what it means to be truly, happy. I thank you for all the support, deep conversations, and love that you selflessly give my family. Oh, and thank you for watching the beast for us;) I can’t wait to read your inspiring book one day, my friend.
Deidra…missing her other beautiful half…Ben. Her smile says it all. She has a JOY (not just the baby;) inside her that is contagious. She and Ben have an incredible faith and they are fully committed to their marriage and raising a family. We love to talk about what kinds of tools we have collected to growing as spouses and parents. I am so thankful for your zest for life and all the important things that you prioritize and share with us. I can’t wait to meet baby #3:)
Chris and Emily. New friends that I met through my volleyball life. They have three beautiful children as well and they have a beautiful relationship. Emily and I have gotten to know each other a little better each time that we are able to carpool to our games. She has been an incredible support for me to bounce new and exciting news off of. She is always so interested in all that I am doing on my journey and I appreciate her supportive ear. You can just feel theirhappiness through their smiles and I can’t wait to get know them better. Meanwhile, Emily and I will just keep kicking butt together on the court;)
Brittney and Garrett. One of our first dates was inviting Brittney over to help with the ‘While You Were Out’ bedroom for Jake. She brought me flowers and made me feel like the most important person in the world. I listen to her glowing and putting Garrett on a pedestal because of the amount of love and respect she has for him (and vice versa). They have a beautiful relationship and I enjoy their company beyond belief. Garrett is a deep thinker and he is an IDEA man! He has so many theories, plans, inventions and Lord knows what in that brilliant mind of his. Brittney is the perfect soulmate to help sing that brilliance to the world as his biggest fan. They are those people that make it nearly impossible not to laugh when you are in their presence. I adore Brittney more than words can say for all that she has brought to my life! Oh and speaking of health…go check out what Garrett is embarking on now. I can’t wait to go check out the store!
Speaking of volleyball…These two are rockstars on the court as well. I have played a lot of season’s of v-ball and this was one of the first times that I was able to meet these girls off the court. We see each other in ponies and workout gear each year and only get a snippet of each other’s lives for the few moments we spend together. Jaime (dark hair) and I have known each other over 2 season’s now and there is just something about her that I drawn too….probably that contagious smile;) I can’t wait to learn more about her life and find out more reasons of why we are in each other’s lives.
Miranda…I have known her over the years and was blessed to photograph her daughter years ago. I have always enjoyed getting together (few and far between) with her and her awesome hubby, but recently I found that revealing moment of the bigger reason that we are in each other’s lives. Her 3 yer old daughter just got diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. Just hearing Miranda talk about it, I can tell that she is going to go against the mainstream protocol which is filled with drugs and panic. Even though she may not see it quite yet…she has an incredible courage inside her that is leading her down the more difficult path…CHANGE. It is going to be a long journey for their family I’m sure, but I also know it will be filled with hope and joy. I have so many resources around me that I know she will find useful and make the journey feel less lonely.
Melvin and Karilyn. Melvin plays b-ball with Jake and we joke around that it is one of his first friend’s in a long time that I didn’t help him get (although I pushed him to talk to him and find out more about his life and wife when he told me he met a nice guy at open gym). I have watched Melvin transform his body over the last year. He comes from a family of obesity and he put his foot down to break the cycle. Yay for taking the harder…more healthy path. Karilyn is one of my oh-so, crafty friends that is living a life with a contagious passion. She is so excited about motherhood that she created a very informative site that I like to call the cliffnotes for all those things mom’s claim they don’t have time to learn. Then she just started a business for the adoreable onsies that she is now making. Go check them out sometime. Onesie Wonderland and Parental Guidance Suggested.
Kelly and Cale. I met Kelly through the photography world and she is one of the most genuine and beautifully spirited souls I have ever met. Oh, and did I mention that she is another COOL Alaskan girl;) The way she talks about her hubby and their life together, I felt like I already loved Cale. They are continually looking to gain tools in their marriage. They have two beautiful children and I hear a beautiful rubix cube encounter that started the whole love story;) Kelly more than impressed me, when we went on a weekend photography get-away and she researched my diet so that she could make a meal that I could eat. That is just the person she is that I have so much to learn from. I am excited, to say the least, to get to know these two better.
Andrea (Andi:). My new, refreshing neighbor. Andi just recently caught the bug called CGEPIML…better known as I can’t get enough photography in my life virus;) I love seeing her eyes light up when she talks about pictures and the joy it is bringing into her family’s life. Her boys light up my kid’s life. Our future is bright with them as neighbors and I am so thankful for that.
Elida. What do I say about an incredibly, talented volleyball player, mother, artist and friend! She lights up a room with her booming laugh and warm charm. Talk about contagious passions….I can’t wait to take one of her classes very soon! I enjoy our long conversations about how we are trying to better our lives and how we can help one another. I know that life hasn’t been the easiest lately, but your grace and smile has you coming out on the other side with flying colors. You are right where you are suppose to be and your story will inspire so many people! Keep up the hard work, my friend.
I can’t imagine if I could ever get all 40 something or more people in one room for one night. I might just blow up from all the excitement and blessings that would bring us. I want to thank you all for coming and being open to whatever the night would hold. I also want to give a special thanks to Jake and the kids. With all these new seeds coming into my life…you are the major source of water that helps the seed to grow. My organic garden is healthy and flourishing because of all the love and support that you give me daily. Without you, there would be a VERY different me. I love you for trusting me to attract amazing people that continue to enrich our lives and for always welcoming them with open arms. I don’t know when the next night will be, or what it will hold, but I hope to continue to share my resources and build a healthy community that flourishes anytime we get together.
I challenge you to get your closest friends…or people that are an inspiration in your life…and invite them over for a night of greatness. Just be curious of what the night will hold. Tell everyone that you want to get them together to thank them for being in your life and that you want all that amazing energy in one room. Just a thought;)