why must the weekend end?

This weekend was so much fun. We packed a to into a little bit of time and I am honestly whooped as I type this. The weekend was one of those that you didn't want to end because we both hung out with friends and got to do a lot of (new) things.

Friday night I went to spin class (a first) at my YMCA. It wasn't as hard as I anticipated, but it was also a great workout and I was drenched with sweat when I left! I headed to the grocery store to pick up some beer -- Abita Purple Haze and Sweetwater Blue it was -- so good! Tyler was getting his hunting stuff together to go dove hunting at the farm on Saturday, so I sipped on the beer while he got ready.

Saturday I met my friend (she's also my coworker) Caroline at her gym to try a barre class. I've been DYING to try one and finally got a chance since she had a "bring a friend to class" pass. I had no idea what to expect but kept an open mind. While it was a really challenging workout, I also felt great afterwards and am feeling it now!! It was nice to go with a friend who was used to going, and I'm glad I don't have to "commit" to it right now; I am just going to visit when I'm over in Bluffton.

After the class, we met up with another friend, had lunch at the Frosty Frog on Hilton Head (hello amazing Jungle Juice daiquiri) and hit the beach with mojitos. The weather was absolutely perfect at the beach at Sea Pines was almost empty! After a few hours and a little sun, we went back to shower and have girls night!

I feel like I haven't had girls night in a really long time and it was SO GOOD to meet new girls to start hanging out with! We had some drinks before dinner then headed to Wise Guys back on Hilton Head. We decided on the tapas and had the calamari, sliders, lobster risotto, goat cheese, and stuffed mushrooms. So so good, and a great amount of food for 5 girls to split! I drove back home to Beaufort (about an hour away), so I dropped the girls off at a bar and headed home for the night. Good thing, since they told me they stayed out until 3:30!

Seriously counting down to another weekend to hang out again!

Sunday Tyler and I visited a church (we are trying to decide between two), and I did a lot of cleaning in the house before going to dinner at a friends' house. Tyler has become really good buds with my coworker and we had dinner with them for the first time. So much fun!

Did I mention Tyler went hunting all day Saturday with a friend? I'd say they did pretty well:

165 doves killed by 11 guys. Pretty impressive. And I think Sarge had a blast. Poor thing has been moping around all Sunday from running around and getting the birds. 

So there's my weekend in a nutshell. Why did it have to end!!??

How was yours?

an ode to my girlfriends

One thing I've learned since I've been married is that girlfriends are just as vital now as they were in college. I was super blessed that I attended a very social college, was in a sorority, and was always surrounded by an awesome group of girls!

After moving to a new city twice in two years, I understand how hard it is to make friends. In Illinois, I lived with two girls around my age which really helped me make friends (above). They invited me to hang out with their high school friends, attend girls night at a Mexican restaurant, and run 5k races. Now since I've moved to Beaufort, I'm really learning that you really have to put yourself out there to find women like you. There are a few young women (in their 20s and 30s) that I work with and work out with at the YMCA after work. The guys that I work with have wives that are in the same age group as well. I've applied to be a member of the Junior Service League to not only give back to my community, but fight a tight-knit group here in my new town. Tyler and I are seeking a church family and an important thing we are looking in while "church shopping" is young couples.

All but two of my closest girlfriends from my ZTA pledge class are getting together for Labor Day. The other friend who is unable to make it and I were talking today about how hard it is to be a friend and to really keep friendships going. Though we will always remain best friends, I think its important to also find women in your own town/city.

Girlfriends are so important. I cannot imagine not having a female to talk to about "girl" things. Whether it is talking about unimportant things, venting about a fight with your husband/fiance/boyfriend/fling, borrowing that favorite dress, or going to them when you need a shoulder to cry on, I just think it is vital for us as women to have other women in our lives!

And don't get me wrong, I love my virtual friends that I talk to all day everyday (hey Shannon and Megan), but there is just something about calling up a friend town to ask to join you for happy hour! Does anyone ever feel like it is a red flag when other women you know don't have girlfriends? I don't know what it is. Are they catty? Jealous? Spoiled? Bratty? Obnoxious? I have no idea but lately I've run into women that "don't do girls as friends" or end up ruining every relationship they have. And I hate that!

This post may have not made any sense at all, but I think it was one of those that was floating around in my head for a while and needed to get out! I guess I'm just thankful for my girlfriends - in Beaufort, at home, in DC, NYC, Florida, Charleston, Raleigh, Illinois, and even those that I've never met in person but can't wait to share a margarita with!

So cheers, friends!