“Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.”
Speaking of amazing activities that bring me extreme happiness….I had a Beneath The Surface night on Saturday. Jake and I wanted the focus to be Love and Gratitude. Doesn’t it sound simply wonderful to have a group of your friends together to talk about those MOST important words in our English language? Then why, pray tell, don’t we do it more often? Why do we get pressured into having get togethers full of surface talk, too much drinking and eating, or barhopping and end up O.Ding on mainstreamness? Life is too short not to connect on higher levels that are going to help the friendships grow and the souls to stay fed!
When I hang out with my friends and I start talking about something that I have been processing, or someone that I have just met, or admire. There is a burning desire to talk about that friend to another friend. Which leads to me talking about those two, to someone else and then finding a connection. Everyone comes into my life for a reason and there is something exciting about getting my friends out of their comfortable social realms for one night of fresh eyes to see what kind of connections develop. I think what it comes down too is that Jake and I are craving a community, and we are so grateful for everyone that graces our life that we just have to share. Building our tribe that every one of our friends can tap into.
So that’s what this night was. I don’t want to go into detail of all that was said and done because I don’t want to define these nights. Each one has proved to be so different and I know that if we continue to create the space, that the organic garden will come together exactly how it’s suppose too, to feed all those that are meant to come. I can’t tell you how exhilarating it is to have a friends thank me for the night because it was so meaningful or necessary. One friend wrote me today to tell me that it was a unique opportunity to get to know new friends and themselves better. That is more than I could ask for in a date night with my family. My kids get to experience amazing people coming into our home to fill it with love and gratitude. I could go on forever about these nights, but I will let the pictures speak for the night. I am so grateful for every single one of you for not just coming into my life, but for loving me and my family. For bringing your unique self into my life to show me new ways to look at life. In return of your friendship, I want to promise to keep fresh eyes towards you, a continued curiosity in the person your are, and a safe place for you to be vulnerable in this amazing life where we chose each other. 
Left to right:
Shannon Van Horn – I am so proud of your ability to become vulnerable and to crave change. You are taking HUGE steps on a beautiful path and I am honored to be a witness!
Alvie – Your smile can light up any room and your laugh is contagious. I adore our conversations and can’t wait to continue to know you on a deeper level.
Meredith Distante – How many different ways can I thank you for being a catalyst to my journey towards health? You have created the ultimate space for me to grow and explore. Your encouraging words and energy continue to nourish my desire to seek more understanding of myself and I am so grateful for all the goodness you pull out of me….just by being you:)
Mike Distante – I so enjoy being around you! I love your free spirit and your stories of travel and passion. I look forward to continuing to pull from your journey…plus I can’t wait to see your smiling face lighting up the Blossom…what a beautiful team…keep up the hard work!
Jake - These nights wouldn’t be possible without your willingness to desire more from our lives. You are my everything and sometimes I feel like I wear your courage around my neck like a badge. You are the fertilizer in my oragnic garden that turned it into a place of growth. It will be difficult to ever find the words to thank you enough for all that you bring to my life!
Gina and Paul’s girls…just plain beautiful and my heart melted when they said what they were grateful for.
LuLu - I don’t have the words for you right now…it is going to have to be it’s own post to thank you!
Aaron Galeotti – I saw a new confidence about you that night. I heard a voice of conviction and hope and excitement as you talked to the group. Your journey is so bright and inspiring and we are SO blessed to have you in our lives. Plus, I love that you recreated the TV shot, because it makes me laugh. Thank you for all your encouragement and words of affirmation:)
Gina and Paul – You two are exuding creativity, desire and openness. I LOVE the energy that you brought to the night and I couldn’t be more excited about the journey ahead of us. Your girls are so dang sweet and I’m still laughing that Sophie told the whole congregation at church the next day, that she stayed up until midnight because she was at “friends party’. LOL!!!
Scott – I just happen to love blueberry pie and wish that I could bake you one with fresh, Alaskan blueberries because you are so sweet! There is something so intriguing about you and I am so happy that I finally get to know the amazing man behind the name, “my friend Scott that is doing the daycare with me” from Devon. Jake and I both enjoyed our conversations with you and I know that I am going to learn so much from your incredible path:)
Devon – You are one of the most beautiful pieces of sandpaper to come into my life. You are food for my soul everytime we get journey out to a v-ball game together. Your Yogi spirit gives me new ways to look at life and I am in complete admiration of your journey. You smile makes my heart happy and I am beyond stoked to see your bright future unfold.
Brian – I think that what you wrote on your board sums up what makes me happiest about you. Your heart is one of the biggest that I have felt. The way you see things leaves me wanting to try on your eyes for a days at a time. Your pursuit for passion is contagious. And your ability to ‘do’ is something that I envy. You have done so much on your photography journey that I am here to celebrate with you. Thank you for the deep conversations and support.
Shamone - I love you! I realized that I have known you the longest in any of these get togethers. I am pretty sure that you are my ‘oldest’ friend in my life here. I wouldn’t change a thing about our journey…. I am in complete awe of the person you are and what you share in my life. You seriously have a heart of gold and I have learned so much from you and our friendship. Just seeing you walk through the door made me want to jump for joy. I can’t believe that I almost skipped over you that night for talking. What you shared didn’t just touch my life, but everyone in that room. I can’t thank you enough for your ability to see me with fresh eyes and I know that we will be on a vespa one day with a baquette hanging off the back in the middle of Europe, spazing out at all the inspiration around us and in us! Thank you for being you, my (young) old friend;) (Not a coincidence that Hey Soul Sister came on when I wrote about you…not even kidding:)