This post has been sponsored by Stanley-PMI. I did receive these products to try for myself, but the content and opinions are all my own.
It has been a long, rough nine months. A time where I have seen the good, bad and ugly in myself and the people around me. A handful of months that have made me so thankful for the friends who have stood beside me while I scramble to figure out the meaning of my life and our family’s current events. I am also quite thankful for the friends who have been patient with me when I haven’t been there for them during their dark days.
This past weekend, I was reunited with one of my long lost besties. We go way, way back. Some of you may know her as the gal behind Bless Her Heart Y’all. But I know her as the girl who my mom forced me to be friends with in the beginning, the girl who helped me mastered the yearbook game, the one who helped bring me out of my shell in high school, the one who I have shared more belly-laughs with than most. To say we have both had a rough year is an absolute understatement. But when you think of awesome things to share with your bestie - believe it or not, celiac disease/gluten intolerance and depression are right up there with terrible flavored lip smackers lip balm and the 9th grade secrets of who you plan to marry. What I’m trying to say, is if you’re going to be sad - it’s great to be sad with someone who gets it. Someone who let’s you just be. Someone who doesn’t try to “fix everything”.
This past weekend was very needed and much over due.
Even before Jess arrived, we decided to spend the entire weekend drinking, laughing, crying and eating an excessive amount of gluten free bundt cake. We spent time walking around the neighborhood, reminiscing the time we shot potatoes across the Mississippi River and of course working on upping her “baby snuggles” quota. She even made Lorelei laugh for the very first time. (Read: This girl is not only one of my favorites, but one of Lorelei’s too!)
The thing about friends like this is, even when you’re apart for a long time and rarely talk - it’s just wonderful when you can pick right back up where you left off. While we didn’t neeeeed to take the party with us everywhere we went this past weekend - we decided it was fitting. Shortly after she arrived, we decided therapeutic tears, laughter and wine would be all we were going to do. And it was. That being said, thank goodness I am done breast feeding because I think we may have sipped more wine (and then Jack Daniels) in three days than I have in a year and a half. And it was wonderful.
Thanks to Stanley Gear - we were able to keep our cider hot, Jack safe and wine available when we actually left the house and explored the walking paths in my new neighborhood. I have been so busy being a new mom of a special needs baby that I haven’t had as much time to explore as I would’ve liked… this was a great excuse to get out with a friend and make some memories!
While many of our conversations should probably not be shared publicly at this time - I can report that this was a much needed weekend for both of us. And Lorelei too, with her adorable giggles.
Many thanks to Stanley Gear for sponsoring this post and for providing me with Mountain Switchback, Adventure Happy Hour System, Classic Stein, Classic 1.1qt Vacuum Bottle, and the ever famous and always handy Classic Flask. I have always been a huge fan of Stanley products, especially for camping and exploring this time of the year. You can learn more at www.Stanley-PMI.com.
