Thankful

Nothing like following up a semi-whiny complaining post with one detailing just how thankful I am...

Today I am doing one of my very favorite things in the world. Something I often took for granted when I lived here and sorely missed when I spent those 8 years in Indiana...I'm going to the beach!

To be fair, lately, this isn't exactly a novel outing for me. I just spent the day there this past Thursday with my in-laws-to-be, not to mention spent a week on vacation not too long ago down in Cape Charles, VA right on the water. But I crave more. There is always something mystically soothing about the water. I don't mind lakes, I enjoy rivers, I put up with the Chesapeake Bay (thank GOD they're cleaning it up now) but the ocean. Wow. The ocean.

I love looking across the waves and knowing that right on the other side of the Atlantic is my friend Becks, my absolute best friend in the world growing up...we've known each other since we were about 9 years old and grew up in the same neighborhood. She just came to town recently and I was lucky enough to be able to spend time with her and her husband, Chris...and even better news...she's coming back in October to be in my wedding. I'm so thrilled I can't stand it! So the ocean holds that meaning for me...a reminder that I do have people who love me and know me so well and treasure our friendship so much that they would fly across this wide expanse of ocean to spend time with me. What an amazing relationship!

So today, not only do I get to spend time at one of my favorite places in the world, but I also get to hang out with another one of my fantastic friends who has known me since high school and coincidentally is also going to be in my wedding. Thankfully she is only about 2 and a half hours away and loves the beach even more than I do (if that's possible!)

This, ironically, is a photo of (L-R) Meghan, me and Becks circa summer 2001 at King's Dominion. in VA..yeah...they'll probably both be on their way to murder me anytime now! This was one of the last times we all hung out together before I headed off to Indiana for college - it feels so great to be back in MD...even with the 105 degree heat index! Seriously though, it's going to be a great time hanging with Meghan today and the beach...how can you not love the beach? Can't wait!