Are we friends.

Lately, I have been struggling with the word sincerity. Friendships used to be so much easier. We were friends if we joked and laughed together. We were friends because we spent our lifes togehter. We were friends if we grew up together. Now the friendship boundaries are not as clear. Obviously my husband is my best friend, but I am not talking about him right now. I am talking about others who are apart of my life or at one point were. I am having a hard time identifying what a sincere friendship is since starting this new chapter of my life.

Feelings are such a weird thing. I have been thinking this morning of all the friends I don't talk to on a regular basis anyone. Some of them I still consider friends and others...I wouldn't label them as such. What makes that difference? Even if I don't talk to certain friends everyday, I can still feel there sincerity when we do get the chance to catch up. Those that I still consider friends have a way of showing me that they have a interest in what's going on in my life and they make sure I know how they are. The feelings that I am struggling with now are the "friends" who no longer appear sincere to me. Maybe they don't take the opportunity to really listen to me or to inform me about what's happening in their life. Can I be friends with someone if I don't even know the details of the BIG events in their life?

All of these thoughts leave me wondering if it's my fault or part my fault. Am I also being insincere? Maybe so. I recently was assigned a project in class to have a meaningful conversation with a stranger of a different culture. I chose a sweet older lady from church who I had only said a casual good morning to. After our first "interview" or conversation, I was on cloud nine. Our conversation was so open, honest, and meaningful. After we talked for over an hour, this relative strangerr stood up and hugged me like I was her own granddaughter. I felt loved. Not many times in life do we get the opportunity to get to know a stranger on such a personal level. Or is it that we don't take the time to? I'm leaning more towards the second.

I wrote this post mainly to straighten out my feelings on friendship. Maybe it's time that I start to water the friendships that have started to wilt. If I show how much the friendship of others means to me, maybe I will receive love in return. Cheers to learning what it means to be a friend and have a friend.

 

XOXO, Amanda

 

Birthday

 

 

 

 

This past Saturday was my 21st birthday. I was so blessed to be able to spend the weekend with people I love. On Thursday the birthday celebration started with a visit from my mom. We ate at Cracker Barrel. That hashbrown casserole gets me every single time. I also love the little country store. It always reminds me of my grandmother with its abundance of apple decor. The smell of Fall always brings memories of her as well. After eating we went to the mall to spend some money. My mom spoils me. A lot. Mostly I just enjoyed spending the day with the woman who made me. Oh, and it didn't hurt that she brought me my favorite cake.

 

On Friday, Josh had a special surprise for me. He called me and told me to pack an overnight bag. I had no idea what to bring because I had no clue where we were going. When he got home he made me close my eyes for like 30 mins so that he could wrap my presents and get things together. We ended up staying the night in Shreveport, La. Our hotel room was a check off of my bucket list. Guys, it had a jacuzzi...in the room. We ate the most yummy mexican food of my life, watched football (i like it ok?!), got fancy cupcakes, and attempted to go swimming (BRR). It was the best night.

 

Saturday, I woke up to even more surprises. We went to hotel breakfast. Can I just say I love eating hotel breakfast. Especially when they have cool pancake making machines. Then we ventured out to do a little shopping. We visited with my father-in-law as well. Josh then took me to my last surprise. A paint your own pottery studio. I have always wanted to go to this place. It was so much fun. I painted a "You are Special" plate for our family and josh painted an owl for our Fall decor. It took us way longer than we thought it would, but still so fun. Afterwards we were starving. It took us forever to find a place to eat that wasn't crowded to the max. Subway saved me you guys! The rest of the night was relaxed.

 

Sunday I got my traditional Birthday dinner. Husband is a good little chef. I'd hire him. Good thing I married him.

 

Birthday weekend was a success! Now it's time to prepare for HALLOWEEN!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

xoxo, Amanda