Dress Old – For Love & Lemons
Heels Vince Camuto – Similar
Boots Steve Madden – Similar
Lipstick – Colourpop Baracuda
Nails – China Glaze Fifth Ave (which looks just like Essie Angora Cardi)
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and to me, it used to be Friends-giving for about 14 years. As I was sitting there watching all of my SO’s family interact, my mind went over all the things I was thankful for. Yes, I missed my best friend and the memories her and I had created over the years since we started our Friends-giving our freshman year of high school. However, I am so grateful for the family I have created now and the festivities myself and my children are included in every year.
I didn’t grow up with a big family. My father moved me around a lot and he wasn’t close with his family members. Also, due to extenuating circumstances I only grew up with my father and didn’t get to have a relationship with my mother until later on in life. Due to this I never really understood close knit families and the bond they created. I understood at a young age that I always wanted to be a mother and create my own family, probably because I felt unhappy with my own life. Now that I have my boys and they are from two different relationships, it has really taught me about extended family and how important that is. My ex-husband and my son’s step-mother are amazing people and I feel like we are very close and good friends. As an adult and a mother, it’s important to be thankful for the good that people bring to your children’s lives and not to be caught up in any petty jealousy. I have more loving people in my life that I can appreciate once I realized that fact.
I am so grateful for my close group of friends that I can count on one hand. My best friends that have been there for me over many years and no matter what will always be there for me. My best friend Brittany was there for me when I felt like my world was falling apart from having an inconsistent parent and she was the closest thing I had to a sister. My best friend Leah made me feel welcome in a new town when I didn’t know anyone and she stayed by my side whenever I needed her, always offering true and honest advice. My best friend Michelle was like a big sister/motherly guide when I was young and just making my way in the world. Finally, my best friend Rae who always makes me laugh, is one of the kindest people I know, and always shows me unconditional love. If it wasn’t for all of these beautiful and uniquely different strong women I’m not sure I would be the woman and mother that I am today.
My life on the outside can look wonderful and picture perfect because I work hard to make it seem that way. Facebook and Instagram give me an outlet to organize some aspect of my life when everything else is hectic. Not that it’s a bad crazy because I love being a mother, having a career, and building a relationship with my SO. However, it’s busy always feeling like I’m dragged in different directions and like my life isn’t exactly how I pictured it would be when I laid out my plans with my girlfriends over 10 years ago. Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect on how change isn’t a bad thing and even though I’m not where I thought I would be ten years ago, I’m extremely grateful for the incredible place that I am at. I think that all the hardships I’ve endured have made the joys that much sweeter and made me so thankful for this unconventional family I have created. The relationships that matter the most are the ones you maintain and not the ones that people tell you should be important. My friends have always been my family and will continue to be my family. Now I just also have more family and that’s never a bad thing.
Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours. I hope you are feeling thankful for all of the wonderful bits that are hectic in your life. Xoxo
