Just When You Need It Most

There has been so much going on for me at work. I’ll unpack that in another post. But right here… this is where I will always remember how my husband and my friends make sure I know I’m loved.

My friend Julia, who I have known for almost a decade (Wow. Is that right?) moved to Boston with her family in June. When in Pittsburgh, they lived in the North Hills and we live in the South. Anyone who lives in the Burgh knows if you have to cross a bridge or go through a tunnel, it’s like visiting another country. Pittsburgh has more bridges than Venice so, avoiding it can be quite challenging. But we saw each other as much as the distance, family and work would allow.

Julia and I have always been supportive of each other, no judgement. I can share literally anything and I do. She does the same. Whenever either of us hits friction, we trust each other to get the perspective we need by talking. So after the week I had, it was overwhelming to see her jump out of a car to greet me on Friday. She and my husband had conspired to bring her to Pittsburgh for the weekend. Hugging her made me ugly cry. It was in that moment that I realized just how emotionally exhausted I was.

We went out to dinner at Spoonwood, our go-to spot, with CJ and our friend Hixson on Friday. We ate and drank a whole lot, clearing my head with each boisterous howl. CJ had, of course, planned a night by the fire, having adorned our back yard with all of the seasonal trimmings. We continued our revelry well into the night (although not too long).

The next morning, CJ made us breakfast while we exchanged our thoughts about the news and our lives and anything else we cared to discuss at length because we had nowhere else to be unless we chose to be there. And we eventually did. We sweat out the previous night’s indiscretions side by side at yoga and then negated all of that work with lunch and drinks.

On Saturday evening, our party ballooned to 25 as we enjoyed a private dinner with friends and friends of friends at our favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh - La Tavola. The chef is one of CJ’s oldest friends from college and she always ALWAYS cares for us like family. Some of my favorite people in the world finally met each other. Julia this is Tyler. Tyler this is Christina. Christina this is Mel. And on and on. We ate and drank Mama Juana (If you haven’t, don’t lol.), we danced and sang and rapped with exquisite accuracy (Stacy, I had no idea!). And we all made new friends.

This was the weekend I had the privilege of experiencing after an exceptionally challenging week. These are the people who showed up. They just SHOWED UP. And everything was good.

So here is my thank you card to all of you. Words cannot express how grateful I am.

PS: Don’t forget to vote in this week’s Community Choice! You have until tomorrow night. <3

Jacket Evereve (similar) | Crop Top American Apparel | Skirt Target (similar) | Shoes Stuart Weitzman via eBay | Bag Antropologie (old, love this envelope clutch made by a Pittsburgh artist) | Hat Anthropolgie | Sunglasses Quay | Necklaces Uncommon James

Photos Rose Colored Creative