Let's Be Real...a Raw Post

I've always been a loyal friend. You can say that I would rather have 5 best friends than 10 friends. I was raised to always keep in touch, return phone calls and send thank you notes. Now that I've moved away, its killing me not to be right around the corner from my friends. I always try my best to visit them whenever I make a trip back home.


I asked one of my best friends to be my MOH (Matron of Honor) in my wedding. I've known her for more than half of my life and she knows everything about me. She's gone on family vacations with me and even calls my grandmother, "Mom-Mom". 


I was a cheerleader for 14 years, and most of my close friends are ones that were on my team. It had nothing to do with the fact that they were cheerleaders, it was because they are the most genuine, truthful friends I could ever ask for. Unfortunately, my MOH has never really accepted the fact that I am not a clicky friend. A friend is a friend regardless of their athletic ability or group of people they hang out with. 


We recently had a conversation in which she said that she thought I felt obligated to ask her to be my MOH. In all honesty I felt let down. I didn't think I would ever feel a comment like that from her again. We had an argument after high school that came between us and we didn't talk for years. I swore to her I would never let that happen again. So by asking her to be my MOH I thought that would show her the high regard I have for her. I wanted her to be there standing next to me, helping me get everything together, helping me shop for my wedding dress. The past couple weeks, I hadn't heard from her as often as I did before. When she finally decided to tell me what was on her mind I froze. I just couldn't believe I was hearing the petty excuses again, especially that I would feel obligated to ask her anything. I really don't want the drama and tears unless they are happy tears. 


I haven't asked any of my friends to be in my wedding party yet. I had a really special idea in my head of how I wanted to ask them in the spring (one year to our wedding). The truth is, I could have asked any of my friends to be my MOH. I wouldn't be asking them to be my bridesmaids if I didn't want them standing next to me on my wedding day. Every girl means the world to me, so I decided I'm going to call them my "best maids" instead of bridesmaids. 


Have any of you had to deal with losing a MOH or a bridesmaid? Email me, I could really use some advice. 

xo

A letter to my soon to be stepmother!

My Dad is getting married this weekend to one of the most wonderful people I've ever met. Since I won't be standing up to say a speech, I want to dedicate this blog post to her.


Dear Meg,

When I met you two years ago, I remember having butterflies in my stomach with any normal feelings a girl my age would have meeting someone new in my Dads life. You see, for Dad and I it's always been "you and I, just us two", always thinking the same and, more often than not, acting as if we were the same person. I wasn't sure if you would be intimidated at the fact that my Dad is my best friend and the bond will forever be inseparable.

After meeting you, I guess you could say that I was the one who was intimidated. I sat back and watched my Dad look at you, in a way I've never seen since he was married to my Mom. He glowed, his smile stretched across his entire face. You could immediately see how much he loved you, even from so early on. But what I saw coming from you was something I'll never forget.

I saw you looking back at Dad, with the same glow, the same big smile and the same admiration that he has for you. I instantly thought, "wow. She really cares for my Dad". The idea of the love two people have for each other being completely mutual does not happen that often. Usually one is told to love the other person more than themselves. But you care about each other as a whole. There are no sides, no separations. You are a team and working together in that way will take you so far.

What I absolutely love about you is your big heart. Your heart contains enough room for the love of animals that shows through your work, your love for children which shows in your family, your love for friends which shows in your personality and even your love for shoes which shows in your closet (which, let's face it is the best part...especially the Manolos!). You are never afraid to stand up for what you believe in. You are always there for people, even if you've had the most busiest day.

The notion of having a close friendship with your Dad's girlfriend is usually an odd concept for most. However, I like to say that our friendship came quite naturally. Thank you for always giving me a big hug when you see me. Thank you for always calling me just to say hi. Thank you for remembering the little things about me (such as my adoration for Princess Diana) and Dad too (he likes a hand towel with dinner and extra lemon with his iced tea). Thank you for laughing at our bad inside jokes and THANK YOU for learning so much about Philadelphia sports!

Meg, when you marry my father this weekend you will officially be a part of our family, even though we have embraced you with open arms since day one. To see you as my fathers wife will be a great feeling, but to keep you as my dear friend will be an honor.

I can't wait to see you in your gown, dancing the night away. Congratulations!

All my love,
Angela, xo