One of my very best friends, Mary-Ann, just got engaged (check out that bling!), and I could not be happier for her. Over the last 16 years, Mary-Ann and I have laughed and cried together, we’ve traveled together, we’ve worked together, We’ve been in car accidents together (well, just one, thankfully), we’ve prayed in church together, we’ve gone hotel-pool-hopping together, we always managed to turn any boring afternoon into a great city-wide adventure, we explored photography together, we loved eachother’s dogs as our own, we’ve gotten into arguments and had moments of separation. Through it all, we’ve loved eachother.
When I got married and left my hometown, our friendship reached one of its lowest points. I left behind a best friend in order to cling to and create a home with my wonderful husband. Unfortunately, my friendship with Mary-Ann sat on the backburner while I adjusted to my new life in my new city away from everything I knew.. my home, my family, my dog, and my friends. Mary-Ann lost her partner-in-crime. It was such a difficult time for us.
As I settled into married life, I couldn’t help but feel a great void within me, so I drafted a LONG email to Mary-Ann, pouring out every emotion I had bottled up within me. After several exchanges and a few tears, Mary-Ann and I were back! We picked up all the pieces and promised that we’d learn from our mistakes. We’ve never been closer than we are now.
I am so grateful to be here during what will be one of the most exciting and most emotional times of her life. I understand what she’ll go through when she leaves behind our hometown, her parents, her dog, her job, and her friends in order to start a new life with her husband. I was there, and even though our friendship suffered when I was in her shoes, it ironically became one of the many things we have gone through together.
I’m sure I’ll be blogging about some of her wedding details as they become unveiled. Right now, the only detail I know is that it will likely be a Florida destination wedding!
