Dancing with Myself

This past weekend, I had my first night out post end of a relationship. The relationship ended weeks ago but I wasn't in the frame of mind to party or be exceedingly social. Don't worry, I didn't hole myself into my flat, I spent a fair amount of time with my family or one-on-one time with close friends.

At first I was in denial.
Followed by sad.
Then I got irritated. 

And recently? I decided to be happy.

I grabbed my two Seattle partner's in crime and told them I needed to go out. We started in the late evening and rotated between straight and gay bars to ultimately end up dancing. 

It was everything I could have wished for ... 
I was with friends... 
I was casually cute and with curled hair... 
I was feeling confident in who I was.

We starting dancing and within 30 mins I was alone. One friend went home and the other had connected with a cute boy I introduced her to ("Have you met my friend...") and was off with him.

There I was...
Alone.
In the middle of the dance floor.

So I danced.

I danced past midnight.
I danced until nearly 1am. 
And then I called him. Baby steps.

But at least I danced.

Image courtesy of Inslee

The Breakfast Club

In the neighborhood of Lake Wood, an area I wouldn't normally visit, sits The Breakfast Club called out only by the sign out front saying "Cafe". It is what you would imagine from a hole in the wall for locals only joint; the walls are covered in photos, the table has a slight stickiness and your coffee cup is never empty.

Elyse had stopped in here a time before and swore they had the best hollandaise sauce ever and I never say no to breakfast food.

For a small penny, we received huge plates of breakfast that included delicious breakfast potatoes. And don't forget the coffee, I lost track of how much I drank but I never saw the bottom of the cup. Unfortunately, Elyse was stuck with my singing and dancing all the way back home after breakfast.

I looked a bit like this...

Migraines and Manfriends

When I was younger I use to get terrible headaches. My family had me keep a journal of when I would get them and how often they occurred. We couldn't find a pattern and chalked it up to allergies. As an adult, I am prone to headaches and it wasn't until recently that I thought anything of it.

Another bad spell hit on Sunday. My headache started around 1pm and I took one advil at 5pm. Pain only continued to increase so I took another two at 9pm. As I was hanging out at the Manfriend's house, I felt it best to leave because I could barely keep my eyes open without it hurting.

I made it home when nausea hit and I spent the rest of the night in pain.

I woke up the next morning only to email my boss and coworkers that I wouldn't be in the office.

I got out of bed at 2pm to eat lunch and immediately went back to bed.

At 5:50pm is when I crawled back out to watch the debates and re-enter society.

But this post isn't just about migraines.

Re-enter: Manfriend.

He texted in the morning to check on me.  Very sweet.

Later that day we talked briefly as he was eating dinner and he said he would call right back. "15 minutes."

An hour went by.
I know this because I checked my phone. I most likely rolled my eyes too.

Finally he called back. Asked what I was doing. (Cleaning). Then told me to let him in.

SAY WHAT?

Let him in.

He was downstairs.
I was upstairs....
In my pajamas....
After having spent nearly the last 24 hours in bed unwell...

This is a relatively new relationship. Almost four months total of "it's complicated" and this last month of "it's a little less complicated more serious but still complicated." We have not hit the no-need-to-shower-and-be-in-messy-clothes stage. I am still 100% in the I am absolutely-naturally-perfect and "yes-I-totally-make-my-bed-every-day-and-my-home-is-always-spotless" stage.

I spent exactly two minutes contemplating hiding in my apartment. Thankfully, my roommate (clearly the only smart person in the place) told me there is absolutely no way I can pretend he is not downstairs and not let him in.

I finally went downstairs to let him in my building and as I opened the door I graciously said, "I am so mad at you." But there he was... In the rain...holding two hot chocolates and just "wanting to make sure you are okay."

Definitely a little less complicated.

I can hear you thinking from here.

"I didn’t know a lot, but I knew this: what you see is what you get. People grow, but they don’t change."
-Elizabeth Bard // Lunch in Paris

I have been meaning to post these pictures for over a month. You may have seen one on Instagram or Facebook but not on here.

I have some very talented friends than can make even the most silliest girl serious for a minute.

Birthday

I have been dreading the 27th birthday for the past three months. 27! Had I known that I would have a week long celebration with family and friends over six nights, I would have turned 27 earlier!

Not all people who helped me celebrate my day are shown, I didn't bring out my camera on my actual birthday get together with friends... but all the same, thank you to those above and those not pictured who made this birthday so wonderful.

#Mark&MaryTieTheKnot // Part TWO

Pre-Wedding//

Post-Wedding //

 The Morning After //

#Mark&MaryTieTheKnot // Part ONE

Long before Mark met Mary or even dreamed of falling in love... I was living with Mary in San Jose and taking a 10 person class with Mark.

After I moved to Portland I saw pictures popping up of the two of them together. I called Mary immediately... What the heck was going on? I never would have imagined them as a couple but after celebrating their wedding in Davis, Ca on Saturday... I cannot picture them not together.

I love Mark. I love Mark for Mary. And I can confidently say this after interviewing everyone at the wedding. I was digging for dirt before giving my approval because, in my head, it was not too late. Repeatedly I heard about his love for Mary, how he chased her and chased her and chased her, and the best part, since being together Mary has only blossomed more and Mark as well.

Their wedding was spectacular.
Decadent.
Stunning.
No detail missed.

I had so much fun dancing all night and felt SO welcomed into both of their families.I left feeling loved.









I love spending time with couples that truly bring out their partner's best and using them as an example of what I am ultimately looking for.

Mark and Mary quickly showed me:

 I need someone that will dance with me all night long. Even if they hate it. Even if their feet hurt.

 I need someone that loves their family and has the utmost respect for their mom.

 I need someone that will fight for me.