remember when

When I first started this blog back in 1997 (just kidding. But sometimes it does feel that long. Except no one would ever want to read eight-year old Emily's thoughts), I really just started this because I like to write. I like to write, I like to tell stupid, silly stories, and so one day Yippee! It's MLE was born and brought home from the hospital so that I could write down those stupid, silly stories.

Fast forward to 2016, and I feel like stupid-stories-telling-Emily has turned into Emotional Emily. Each and every time I come to this space I am word vomming lots of feelings onto your screen. How's that for a visual? 

Now, if you thought I was saying all of that to let you know I've feasted on ginger ale and saltines so that my word voms are gone then...I'm terribly sorry. I will still be word vomming on you today. I just wanted you to know that I know that you know I've become quite emotional lately. You know?

This past week and weekend we were traveling all over our old Charleston and Atlanta stomping grounds to celebrate some of our best friends getting married. About two years ago the Board of the Freddie and Emily's Friends Group had a meeting, and decided they all would be getting married within the next twenty to twenty-four months. Because of this decision, Freddie and I have had to step up into our new roles as professional wedding goers/bridal party people. As absolutely as insane as it has been to travel all over for so many weddings lately, I would not trade it for anything. Not even for a Dairy Queen blizzard which is something I cannot stop thinking about lately. That's how for serious I am. Looking back on these recent wedding fills me to the very tip of the brim with happiness and love. Weddings are such a joyous occasion, but they become quadruple to the max joyous when it is some of your absolute, without a doubt, been my friend for way too long, remember-when-you-wore-blue-mascara closest friends getting married. Every single time I turn into the sap from the biggest sugar maple tree you ever did see.

And this past wedding week was no exception. Throughout our travels we passed our first home together in Charleston, and all the places we used to spend our time as newlyweds. We ate at the same restaurants. We drove down the same streets. We shopped at the same Target (hashtag priorities). As if that wasn't enough for my overflowing-with-sap heart, we then traveled to Atlanta where we passed our old houses there. The houses we lived in when we were first dating and so in lurve. We passed the wine bar where Ricky took me the night he proposed. We passed some of the old places I used to teach dance back in the day. Day after day felt like walking down memory lane, and I. Loved. Every. Step. Of. It.

That's pretty much all I wanted to say... that and I think you should go take a walk down memory lane sometime soon, too. Whether that means flipping through a photo book you ordered with a 50%  off Snapfish coupon, but have never opened it once since getting it in the mail.

Or if that means stalking yourself on Facebook, and looking through all the pictures in which you've been tagged.

Maybe it means taking five seconds out of your day to stop and remember your favorite fall memory.

Or your favorite winter memory.

Or your favorite memory from any season.

Or maybe it's taking ten seconds to remember that one time you got the best hug of your life.

Or! Or or! The best kiss of your life.

Maybe it's cleaning out an old box and finding letters or cards.

It might even be driving a little bit out of the way on the way home just to pass a special place.

Whatever it is. Stop for a second. Remember for a second. Smile for a second (or two!). Because life is too short to forget the good stuff.

haircuts and rainbows

This past week was a whirlwind. A pretty fan-freaking-tastic whirlwind. A last minute work trip sent me to Atlanta for 4 days of pure bliss (minus the approximate 4 hours per day I sat in traffic. Every. Day.) (Have I mentioned how great my now 8-minute work commute is?)

Oh, Atlanta. You and your not 8-minute commute. 

Let's back up. Since I was home I took full advantage of all the things. Like hair cuts and Sprayberry's brunswick stew and stuff. 

Meet Cheri. 

The lady has been cutting my hair since I was 11ish. Remember that age? 11-ish. Such a good one. She also did all of the hur at my wedding, as seen above. Anyways she knows every split end, every grease spot, and every cow lick on my head of hair and finding someone in Charleston to replace her has been impossible. Sure, I miss my Georgia dentist. Sure, I miss my Atlanta gynecologist (except...is it possible to "miss" a gyno?...). But a hair dresser is turning out to be the hardest thing to replace. 

...so I haven't yet. I just wait until a random home trip and Voila! Fancy pants hair, courtesy of Cheri the Hair Goddess.

Another exciting part of whirlwind work trips? Getting to catch up/work with my former boss lady and good 'ole friend, Lindsey. Who also happens to make the most You-are-so-cute-I-could-eat-you-up babies. How's that for an adjective?

This is called a hug. Not to be confused with an infant headlock. 

But the best part about working back in the ATL? 

The students. My first little students who aren't so little anymore. 

If you ever want to feel like you are the Queen of Awesome and are truly, deeply, wonderfully loved then hang out with kids. True story. Here's what I heard all day Wednesday. And Thursday. And Friday. And Saturday.

Miss Emily!!!! ::followed my screaming::

I've thought about you every day since you left!

Why did you leave us?!

Why aren't you teaching me anymore?!

When you and Freddie get into a fight please come live with me.

No! Don't live with her. Live with me.

When are you coming back?!

Don't leave us again!

Waaaaaaaahhhhhh!

You get the picture? The picture of me being the Queen of Awesome? Wink. I have several videos on my phone of girls giggling things like We don't like you Freddie! You took our Emily away! I guess they don't realize I'm the one who said yes to a marriage and life in Charleston. Shh, don't tell them ;)

After many student selfies and many my mom is a crazy dog lady pictures...

Example A:

...it was time for me to head back to the lowcountry. As I drove up to the Ravenel bridge I was greeted by a beautiful rainbow. 

And I thought well dang, Charleston, I missed ya too.