A Crazy Fun Friendship

These pictures represent 2 years, the 1st 2 years of this crazy fun friendship. We were both 2 different people back then, so different from who we are now.  She was so anti-technology, the only one on our floor who didn't have her own computer, she had a line up of boys with 1 clear winner, she cared what people thought of her, but not so much that she couldn't get crazy! I was single and eager to have a new friend! We were a lot of fun together. We were all about having fun with very little stress/responsibility in our lives. We had so many things in common! We were also kind of weird.

Cougar Camp

Out of the blue the other morning I woke up thinking about Cougar Camp... I haven't thought about that in probably 8 or 9 years, which is just sooo long ago!!!

It's actually hard to believe I'm not a freshman in High School anymore or as I grew up calling in; grade 9! Anyways unless you're Carrie or my brother you probably are wondering what is Cougar Camp? Or if you know me from SAU, you are probably thinking; you were a Cougar in University, where you really a Cougar in high school too!? If you know me well then you know the reason why I initially decided to attend SAU, and that was the Cougar correlation!

CCI - also know as Chatham Collegiate Institute is the High School I choose to attend instead of the High School that was down the street and around the corner from my home growing up. I had to get up really early (7:10 was too early for a morning person), and ride the city buses to the other side of town. But it was worth it! My friendship grew with Carrie into something life-long! AND the experience I got there, the green and white that coursed through our veins, then poured out of our tear ducts. But that's not what I'm supposed to be writing about....

Cougar Camp, very similar to Cedar Bend. A weekend at the beginning of the school year. Senior students there to assist and make the transition smooth. Crazy fun activities. There we sang a crazy fun song,using rhythm's with our hands.... I can't explain it, but I have it on one of our band CD's. Camp food.

That's all - such good memories!

The Ghost of Valentines Day's Past

This will be our 4th Valentines day together. I think.... but here's a look into my past Valentines days!

The first one was particularly nice... we have been dating for 3 months and I talked him into buying tickets to the Piston's game through his dorm RD. He bought me the Rip Hamilton Jersey. We went with Adam/Cheryl & Chris/Kd. That night after the game, about 1am on the morning of the 15th - we had our 1st kiss.

Our 2nd Valentines day, we had passed the next milestone in our relationship of the saying of "I love you" 3 months earlier after 1 year of dating. We were busy and poor, so we unconventionally had a date in the SAU Library... we took over a study room on the 3rd floor and watched I believe Newsies on my laptop... we hooked up speakers and everything. We ate cougar den food for dinner and spoiled ourselves with coffee from the Sacred Grounds (Starbucks) in the Library. We also babysat Hailey Rae Pollak for a night so that Nich & Jennie could have a night out with out their baby, and me and my Babe got to hang out with the CUTEST girl in the world!

Our Third Valentines Day is documented here: but the nutshell version is 3 roses, swept off feet, a night at the theater.... check it out.

Our 4th Valentines day was our first as a married couple... here's a link to last years Valentines Day, which in a nutshell was Olympics in Canada, 1 small box of chocolates shared, yoga & chinese food.

Before I got the boyfriend, I still celebrated Valentine's day! My senior year of high school, I hosted a party for all the girls in my youth group. 21 girls came over to my house in FORMAL gowns! We all have them, we all want an excuse to wear them more often. I had this idea, and my bestest friends helped me to set it up.

 My parents and aunts helped cook the meal; a full 4 course meal,

with ambiance music, followed by a Red Carpet...

 ....awards show that awarded each girl with an award catered to their personality!

We also had special music!

We even had a photo shoot individually and in groups:

and a Dance party afterward:

You can't beat that! Pretty much a really fun night!

Before that my parents always made sure my brother and I each felt special on this most uniquely weird day that gives an outlet to those who love.  We would wake up to a heart shaped box of chocolates on our pillows every year! No matter if you love, you can celebrate that tomorrow!

missing those nights

This past week, instead of falling asleep on the couch and then slumbering to bed when Nick is done playing on the computer, we have been crawling in bed together and he's actually been awake enough to talk at night. It has made me miss the nights of my past.

1. the weekends growing up where I shared my room with my aunt, whom I would kick to keep awake because I was not done talking. We would talk for hours and hours! It was the best.

2. the nights in college, specifically Junior & Senior years when Mel and I were roommates and would talk in bed, plan her wedding, sing songs from our childhood.... good times.