Girls Weekend: St Augustine
Our 6th Annual Girl’s Trip we went to St Augustine, FL. 6 trips ago I joked that I needed my two best friends to become friends because it would make girls trips that much better and I got my wish! This crew travels so well together, wanting and needing the same amount of action or relaxation depending on the year. There’s been an ebb and flow of who does the majority of the planning based on our seasons of life and jobs at the time - someone always stepping up when needed. I’ll confess this year I did the least amount of planning as I’ve been putting together a 10 day honeymoon and trying to learn how to be a wife. The girls even agreed to stay close to Tampa for me so I didn’t have to miss work that close to Europe. Here’s to hoping I won’t be so needy next year.
You may have been expecting me to tell you all about the trip - what we did and where we ate but that’s not what I’m going to do. I wanted to write about our weekend to say this: find community. I cannot stress enough the value of friendships in the best and worst of times. After my bridal shower I met a friend who attended for dinner and she said something that’s really stuck with me since. She said: the people who care about you and have your back filled an entire room and I’m not sure mine could fill a table.
It’s been a rocky road to here. In past blogs I’ve written that everything I know about friendship I learned from my Dad and my best friend Candy. It didn’t come easily or naturally to me and I made poor friendship choices at times in my younger days. I trusted people I shouldn’t have and it cost me. I’ve had to burn bridges and walk away at times. Finally I started praying that the Lord would bring me the community I needed and ultimately he’s answered those prayers more richly than I could have imagined. I promised myself if I ever had an amazing friend group I would purpose to be inclusive, always bringing people together and I believe I’ve done that. When I met Blake I was surprised at all the ways he made me a better friend. He encourages me to be gracious. He calls me out when I want to hold a grudge. He is thoughtful and generous, two qualities that remind and inspire me to be more so.
I needed this weekend. In the midst of a year that has been full, fun, and a little overwhelming at times (new role at work, engagement, wedding, married life, etc) I needed my best friends. I needed a few good nights of sleep. I needed good food. And most of all I needed to catch up and talk about the good, the bad, and the necessary in our current seasons. I ended this weekend feeling incredibly grateful that I have these friends (and others) to do life with and to escape from life with for a few days at time as well.
