Thankful On Paper: Week Four

This, the final week of TOP, I am thankful for my dear friend, Dominic.

Here's the deal with Dom: He's my husband's best friend. He was the best man at our wedding. He is not only David's best friend, but I count him as mine as well. 

Since I've met and gotten to know Dom, he has altered and grown and matured so much. He has especially grown up a lot in the last year.

In the few years that I have known Dominic, he has blossomed into this incredible human being that I admire and look up to. I can always count on being one of many amongst his prayers and I know without a shadow of a doubt that he loves David and myself with all of his heart. He has become such an amazing man of God and an incredible example of Christ's love. He has always been there for us whenever we have needed him and though we don't see him as much as we wish we could, we know that we are always on his mind and in his heart as he is in ours. One of my favorite things about Dominic, besides his humor and vast knowledge of film, is that every once in a while I will get a random text from him just to let me know that he is thinking of us, praying for us and that he loves us. He also was such a great support and listener to me recently and I am so grateful for his sympathetic ear and incredible advice.

Dominic is intelligent, funny, kind, generous, thoughtful, compassionate, loving, supportive, understanding and forgiving. I am so thankful that God placed him in David's life and that they have grown together to become the mature and incredible men that they are. I am so thankful that he is Dave's best friend and that they can always look to each other for support and as examples of how to live. 

Over the time that I have watched Dominic grow into the amazing man that he has become and is still becoming, I have very often wondered why he is still single. I would mention this to Dave every time I thought of it and Dave would always reply, "I really don't know. He's such a catch" and he is. And then one day I thought about it again and realized this: God is preparing a very amazing, special and perfect woman for Dominic and God is still preparing him for her. I am so excited for when the day comes that the Lord decides to reveal that woman to Dominic. Of all the people I know, he deserves that kind of love more than anyone.

I am so proud of Dominic and all that he has become and has accomplished and I am excited to see the amazing things God has in store for him. He really is the best best friend that I've ever met and truly the best man.

Just to prove how thoughtful, caring and incredible Dominic is (and because this was the best speech I've ever heard in my life), here is the speech he gave at our wedding:

"To be completely honest I was a bit surprised when Dave asked me to be his best man. Not because we aren't best friends, but because he had to know at some point I would be behind a microphone, and I got quite a bit of dirt on that boy. Typically, during the toast the best man does his best at embarrassing the groom in front of his friends and family... but I am above that. I'm not gonna remind everyone in here of that terrible haircut he had all throughout high school. I'm not even gonna bring up the short, short career he had as a line dancer at Lone Star. And I'm definitely not gonna bring up all those years in middle school when he really thought he was the rapper Nelly. No seriously, he did. But even with all these quirks, Dave is still my best friend. I always looked up to Dave for two reasons: Number one, he's a lot taller than I am so I didn't really have a choice, but secondly, and more important, Dave is really the best guy I know. He's genuine, he's the most compassionate guy I know, and God really blessed me when he put him in my life. But also, in case you've ever gone out to eat with Dave, you know he's really picky. He orders a cheeseburger with no cheese, I never understood that! Seriously he does! But with his pickiness, combined with his good luck, it really paid off with Andrea. When Dave and I were single for a while, a very long while, Dave and I would sit around and talk about the perfect girl. And it was funny how Dave described Andrea perfectly before any of us ever met her. She's intelligent, kind, she has a heart for God, she's beautiful inside and out. And I know this is your day, and I know I'm not alone in this, but this is the happiest day of my life, too. Because honestly I cannot think of two people who deserve this more than you. Usually at the end of a speech, the best man offers some sort of advice, and though I'm not married, I do know you guys pretty well and I've learned a couple of things: A marriage is not just about two people. You guys can't do it on your own. You're gonna need help. You guys were both blessed with amazing families. Also, I'd like to consider your friends your extended family 'cause we're here for you too. And lastly, continue to invite God into your relationship, when you're hurting and when you're praising. I love you guys both very much and I'm so happy for you. If you will raise your glass: To a very long, beautiful, with lots and lots of babies, marriage. To Dave and Andrea!"

Thankful On Paper: Week Three

It's officially week three of Thankful On Paper (wow, this month is flying by!).

This week I am thankful for Jeff.

Jeff is my mom's boyfriend of 11 (or is it 12?) years. You must be thinking, "Why aren't they married by now?" and my answer is this: I have no idea, haha.

The reason I chose Jeff to be Thankful On Paper is because I rarely express to him how thankful I am for him and he deserves to be honored for all the wonderful things he has done.

When my mom first starting dating Jeff, I was a freshman in high school and we did NOT get along very well. Looking back on it it's probably more that I didn't like him because he was dating my mom and he was just the poor guy who had to deal with it.

Getting to know Jeff is quite a journey. In fact, too many people give up on getting to know him or they form negative opinion of him because they just don't get him. He can be abrasive and rough at first and that just rubs some people the wrong way. But the things that I love most about Jeff are the things that most people find difficult to deal with.

He is brutally honest, he speaks his mind (even when you don't want to hear what's on his mind), he's extremely sarcastic, he has amazing instincts and he can see right through people. He is hilarious, sometimes without even trying to be, ridiculously quick and witty. He's very intelligent and he loves the Lord. 

He also truly loves my mom, myself and my family. He and I have very similar personalities and though we rarely clash because of it, we mostly just understand each other. We even have our own little weird way of joking around and communicating. Mostly people think we're fighting or making fun of each other, but it's totally just the way we get along. 

To Jeff, I'm "The Girl". I know without a shadow of a doubt that he would do anything for me. He pretty much always takes my side or defends me in any situation. I always know that if I need (or want) something, all I have to do is ask Jeff. He has always looked out for our best interests and, although he may not show his love in conventional ways, it's clear that we mean the world to him.

Thankful on Paper: Week Two

It's the second week of Being Thankful On Paper and I'm pretty excited for this week's installment.

This week I am thankful for my dear friend, Amara.

First of all, I have known Amara for quite a few years now, I really don't know how many and I couldn't pin point the first time we met, but what matters most is that we are still close and in the past couple of years we have grown so much closer.

Amara is the reason why I am married to David. She and Dave have been great friends since high school. If it weren't for her introducing us that fateful night or for her encouragement of our courtship, who knows where we'd be!

But that's not the only reason why I am thankful for her or why we grew so much closer since I met Dave. Amara is one of those rare people (like Alli in my previous TOP post) who are sincerely genuine, loyal, loving and compassionate. When she listens to you, she doesn't just wait for her turn to talk, she listens with intention and heartfelt concern and empathy. She is loving, generous, hilarious, fun and so down to earth.

Amara was not only one of my bridesmaids in my wedding, but she was there for me in so many ways during the stressful, crazy, joyous, fun and annoying time of wedding planning. She would call, text or email me on a regular basis to ask if I needed anything. If I needed support, help or just an ear to hear me complain, she was there. 

Side note: 

We even spent part of our honeymoon with her dear bf, Ben, in London. He showed us all around the city every day we were there and even took us to his hometown in the outskirts of London. He introduced us to Indian food, delicious cider beer and the wonder and amazement that is the UK, among many other things. We had such a great time and got to know Ben so much more and I am so thankful for that opportunity we had. Since Amara is such a dear friend to both Dave and I, it was so special for us to get to know and love Ben so much more.

~

Not only was that time we spent leading up to the wedding so important for our friendship and helped us grow even closer, but we continued to grow close after the wedding. She would come over to our place and hang out, most of the time help me cook dinner or bake some treats. There were so many awesome talks and laughs we had in my little kitchen and on the very couch I am sitting on right now. During some really difficult times that recently occurred (and to which I've alluded to in previous posts) within my family, she was one of the only few friends of mine who reached out to me and expressed their concern or even just simply listened. I am so thankful for my sweet Mar Mar!

Since Amara moved to London to go to school and also to be closer to Ben this Summer I have really missed those times and it has certainly not been the same without her. I so wish she could still be here, but I am so happy for her and this new chapter of her life. I admire her for following her heart wherever it has led her, even across the pond! I can't wait for the day I will see her and Ben again.

I am so thankful that God blessed me with such an amazing friend in Amara. She is loved and missed beyond measure!

So thank you, Amara, for being the wonderful, beautiful, sincere and amazing you that you are <3

 

Thankful on Paper: Week One

This is the first week of being thankful on paper and I am so excited to show my thankfulness to the four people I chose to honor this month. I can't wait for them to get their notes in the mail!

The first card I sent was to my dear friend, (and colorist) Alli Byrne.

Ever since I met Alli when we had our first of many wedding hair consultations I knew we would be friends. Not only did we work together on creating the perfect hair for my big day, but most importantly, we worked together on becoming friends.

She is like a ray of sunshine, she just lights up your day. It is always such a great day when I get to be in Alli's chair and over the past few months she has been such an inspiration and such a support to me during some very difficult times.

I have learned that it is very hard to find people who are genuine, loyal, honest, loving, caring and giving. During a time when it felt like a few of my "friends" were dropping like flies, especially during a heartbreaking season, Alli was there to listen to me and encourage me. She is one of those rare friends who loves unconditionally and gently encourages you to be a better person, all while making you laugh, sometimes through your tears.

In the past two years I have prayed that God would bring friends into my life that exemplify the kind of spiritual friendships He wants for me. I know that it is no coincidence that Alli was sent to me. The Lord brought her to me in such a unique way and I am so thankful for that. He knew that I would be going through some rough times and that some of my closest "friends" would not be there for me the way I needed, or at all, and He placed Alli in my path at the perfect time to not only fill that void and give me what I needed at the time (in so many ways), but to become a very special and true friend.

I don't always see Alli all that often and we don't hang out constantly, but I have learned that sometimes those friends are the ones who become your best and lifelong friends. Those kinds of friendships are sometimes a slow process that produce trust, maturity and longevity. I hope that we continue to grow our friendship and that I can always be there for her the way that she has been there for me.

I am so thankful for her kindness, love, encouragment, sympathy, loyalty, understanding and generosity. She truly is a wonderful woman and I am so blessed to have her as a great friend and sister in Christ.

 

'Tis the season

It is now November and Thanksgiving is quickly creeping around the corner. The thing I have always loved most about Thanksgiving is that it signifies the beginning of Christmas lights, music and trees. And who doesn't love Christmas and the holiday season?

The other part about Thanksgiving that I love (besides my mom's creamed corn that comes out only once a year), especially now that I've gotten older, is the feeling of thankfulness for those around me.

So when I found out about Rachel's "Be Thankful On Paper This Thanksgiving" project on her blog, I immediately felt the urge to join in. What I love about this project is how it gives us the opportunity to talk about someone else on our blog instead of just ourselves. Unfortunately for most people a blog consists of "me, me, me" 24/7, and that isn't something I aspire to project on my blog constantly.

The most important thing about this project is the opportunity to be thankful to someone, and to be able to do so publicly and give them credit for being such a wonderful influence in your life.

So without further ado, here is how you can join in...

*The 4 Wednesdays (beginning on Nov 3rd), leading up to Thanksgiving, I'm going to write one person and tell them I am thankful for them and why. I will send it to them them that day (or drop it off at their house) and hopefully express to them how much I care for them and how grateful I am that they are in my life. I would love you to do the same.

*The 4 Thursdays (beginning on Nov 4th), leading up to Thanksgiving, I will write a simple blog post about who I wrote to and why. On those Thursdays, I would love for you to join me and write a post. I will link to each of your blogs on that Thursday so that others can visit your site and be inspired. (I am potentially going to do a LINKY, but might just do it myself as well, not sure). If the person is someone you would like to keep private, that is also fine. You can opt out that week or write a general post keeping it private, but sharing some sentiment of Thankfulness.

*It's as easy as that!

For more information on how to join, please check out Rachel's blog post all about the project here.

I hope you all can join me on this! Hurry because this starts tomorrow :)