Good morning! I had this post scheduled to go up yesterday afternoon, but some backend blog issues delayed everything, so it’s coming your way today!
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Other than attending my friend Leah’s beautiful baby shower on Saturday, here are a few other highlights from my whirlwind weekend in Florida:
- Downtime with Girlfriends
After college, nearly all of my girlfriends moved away and now we’re living all over the United States. Whenever we have the change to get together again, we inevitably just want to cuddle up on the couch and talk for hours and hours. I’m so glad we were able to squeeze in lots of quality downtime during such a short trip to Florida. I love these girls so much and whenever we get together, I am only reminded of just how much I miss them when we’re all apart. My friend Krystal’s wedding is coming up in May, so at least we have a countdown in place and know when we’ll all see each other next! (Plus, I get to see my friend Ashley this weekend! Woo!)
- Siesta Key Sunset
After Leah’s baby shower, my friend Cherayne had the brilliant idea to head out to Siesta Key to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. It was absolutely gorgeous and the weather could not have been more perfect. There was a slight chill in the air but humidity was virtually non-existent. A fantastic Florida night!
- Sunset Bump Pic
When my friend Cherayne took this photo of our friend Leah during the sunset and immediately sent it to our group text, I could not stop looking at it! The photo is absolutely stunning and perfectly highlights Leah’s gorgeous baby bump. Her little boy is due at the end of next month and it was so amazing to feel Theo kick and move around in her belly this weekend. I could not be more thrilled for Leah and Ricky!
- Breakfast with My In-Laws
Since my in-laws live in Sarasota, I definitely wanted to find time to see them while I was in town during my short visit and thankfully was able to squeeze in a breakfast with everyone on Saturday morning before the baby shower! We dug into eggs, homemade biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit and my favorite apple fritters that Ryan’s grandma was kind enough to pick up especially for me from Der Dutchman Amish bakery. It was so great to see them!
- Krystal’s Surprise Bridal Shower
On Sunday morning, before everyone left, we had one more shower to attend, only our friend Krystal didn’t know about it! We were thankfully able to keep word of Krystal’s surprise shower a secret from her all weekend and when she showed up at The Shore to meet a high school friend for brunch, we were all there waiting with her mom and sister! Krystal was absolutely shocked and I’m so glad we were able to celebrate this special time in her life together!
- Celebrating 11 Years with Ryan
I arrived back in Charlotte in the early evening on Sunday with just enough time to head out on a quick date night with Ryan! Sunday was our eleven year dating anniversary! And yes, we absolutely still celebrate our dating anniversary because, according to Ryan, “Those were some good years and I don’t want to lose them!” We went to The Cheesecake Factory for our first date back in college and try our best to return to the restaurant every year on our anniversary (though we did take a three-year hiatus when we lived in Ocala because we didn’t live near a Cheesecake Factory). It felt good to bring this tradition back to life this year now that we live close to a Cheesecake Factory again since it’s always fun to reminisce about our wonderful first date back in 2004!
Questions of the Morning
- Do you still live close to friends from high school or college?
- Married folks: Do you still celebrate your dating anniversary?
I don’t live close to any of my friends from high school or college. If you do, consider yourself lucky because I miss them all like crazy!
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My husband and I still celebrate both anniversaries, it’s more fun!
And my High School and College friends are scattered all across the country, and we’re the same way. We just want to chill and catch up!!!
We actually don’t celebrate our dating anniversary but we totally need to!!!!
I don’t live close to my high school or college friends. 🙁 My husband and I celebrate our dating anniversary because we got married on the same date!
My husband and I aren’t great at celebrating milestones, but I always at least acknowledge when our dating anniversary comes up. I agree with Ryan, that is too many years to waste! I’m glad you enjoyed a nice weekend with your friends, girl time is so important!
Awww I also went to the Cheesecake Factory on my first date with my boyfriend, sophomore year in college. We returned this weekend as well 🙂 looks like you had a lovely weekend too!
My husband and I got married two months after our dating anniversary, so we try to go out to dinner but don’t go all out like we do on our wedding anniversary!
I actually just moved back to my hometown after a long time away, and get to see a few of my close high school friends regularly which has been so much fun!
That sunset is absolutely gorgeous. Congrats on your anniversary!
To be honest I don’t even know the date that my husband and I started dating! We obviously don’t celebrate our dating anniversary – maybe we should!
I love that you guys still celebrate your dating anniversary! It totally counts!
How cute that you guys celebrate your dating anniversary. I agree with ryan, those are fun years we can’t forget. So glad that you were able to see friends this weekend and have a great time celebrating with them!
The sunset is beautiful, I do not live close to friends I am afraid, I am from West Yorkshire in England but moved here to Ireland the day after my final exams, so unfortunately lost a lot of contact, but still keep in contact with my best friendxx
My husband and I had our first date on black Friday, we went for sushi. Since Thanksgiving changes each year it’s hard to remember the exact date but we try to recreate it around that time of year. Like Ryan said…good years! Also, not that we celebrate our engagement anniversary but it still gets brought up each year as well. I would love to be able to end each day with a sunset over the water!
I also met my husband in 2004, in November, though, and for our 10th dating anniversary this last November we also went back to the restaurant of our very first date. And even more cool: the hostess sat us in the same booth we sat in on our first date – without our requesting it or knowing about it. It was kismet!
I love that Ryan is so sentimental with you. Good on ya’all! My husband and I always say that happy couples give everybody else hope and inspiration. Because back when we were both single, we both individually loved seeing examples of well-matched pairs, it gave us encouragement and hope that it IS possible.
I love Cheesecake Factory’s Sweet Corn Tamale cakes! Yummmmmmmm!
Sounds like a very FULL, but FUN weekend. Happy Wednesday!