Cultivate Truth

Life throws many loops and it seems that the more I think I've arrived to a state of normalcy, the more loops arrive in LOUD and obvious ways. Perhaps my biggest loop currently is navigating changing relationships and knowing how to cultivate more honest and authentic friendships- despite disappointments or being hurt.

Making Friendships Work

We've chatted about friendship on YLIN before so I thought it was time for more girl talk on the matter. With most of my closet friends from college living all over the county (literally - Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, Boston, Nashville and Atlanta to name a few) it takes a lot more work to stay close and feel close. Because let's be honest, much of friendship is about how you feel... or maybe that's just much of being a woman...anyways.

Here are my top 4 simple tips for keepin' the friendship alive!

Forever Friends

Today is another bittersweet day saying goodbye to some of our best friends. Carol Anne & Robbie have been great pals of ours throughout college and into married life and now they are on their way to California as Robbie starts law school at Pepperdine University.

Carol Anne has been a spiritual mentor ever since I came to Athens as a clueless, insecure freshman. She inspired me to renew my love for God and build deep convictions about the type of woman I truly wanted to become; to be more like Jesus. Even though I know we will still see each other throughout the year (I'm already planning a trip for my birthday) or over holidays, saying goodbye is so hard!

We wrote each other cards and I bought Carol Anne and I matching infinity rings since we will always be forever friends :)

// Top photo courtesy of Jack Frederick //

Friends on Adventures

As I shared a couple weeks ago, one of my very best friends was moving this summer and I recently had to say a bittersweet goodbye to my girl, Jenna. She and her husband, Andrew, just embarked on the most wild adventure to Haiti and will be living there for the next year.

Make a New Friend

Today I am putting out a challenge and that is to make a new friend this summer! Not an acquaintance or someone who you consistently sit next to in spin class- a true friend that you might actually share your hopes, fears, and dreams with!

With two of my besties moving this summer, my selfish nature wants to be overly dramatic and sink into a deep dark hole of sadness/loneliness/depression/you get the picture. However, I am motivated to defeat that temptation by simply investing in more friendships. I've been making it a conscious effort to initiate time with girls I might not necessarily be close to, whether we are in different stages of life or not. I've come to realize that no matter what chapter of life I am in (college, married, working, stressed, etc) there is always something to relate in with others.

It might seem like a daunting challenge at first, but just grabbing coffee, frozen yogurt or BBQ instantly makes room for conversation. I love how God always provides friendships at the perfect time, in unexpected ways.

Will you accept this challenge?!

// Photo via breathe Him in & beathe Him out //

girls night

On Wednesday I went out with my sweet friend Lauren to Pauley's for Reisling and crepes and we talked about life, marriage and everything in between. One part of our conversation has stuck with me since.

happy birthday carol anne

Today is my best friend's birthday! We went out for dinner last night (pictures coming Monday) and are going to see the new Batman movie tonight with a crew of friends. Carol Anne is one of those friends you just thank your lucky stars for on a daily basis.

Although we met while I was still in high school, we didn't become close friends until my freshman year of college when she had already been at UGA for two years. She patiently helped me through a lot of questions and roller coasters in my faith and I feel confident in saying I would not be the person, friend, wife, follower of Christ, etc if it wasn't for her. And she was my matron of honor :) So yay for Carol Anne!

// Top photo via Pinterest, middle photo courtesy Alexandra Laing, bottom photo courtesy Erin Hayes //

relationships

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This made me laugh a little. Would you say this is true of your friendships? I thought about this for a while and I think most women would say they are looking for friends that share similar interests- not disinterests. But perhaps once we're close, we reveal more of the things that grind our gears and the friendship deepens :)

Personally, I enjoy the "what's your biggest pet peeve?" conversation. Although, it's a little more dangerous once you're married. I can honestly tell you Taylor gets annoyed with me when I yell across the house in a tone that implies (1) something has gone terribly wrong and (2) it's no one's fault but his. And usually it is something completely trivial. Like yesterday when our washer was making a funny sound.

I am going to work on not doing this anymore. You can read other things I'm working on here.