Babies are coming, treasure the time now

A few friends and myself were chatting the other night and we were discussing how we feel like everyone and their brother are having kids these days. For the few couples I personally know who just had children/expecting recently, I am more than happy for their new additions, the babies are all too cute for words!!! But all of this babytalk and new additions has me realizing that my time is precious with many of my friends.

 

Everyone has very busy lives and lots of commitments as life is hectic on a regular basis, but I personally feel like right now everyone should be making a huge effort in spending as much time as possible with friends because before we (well I) know it, all of my (our) friends will be popping kids out soon. Many of my friends are happily married/soon-to-be married and I'm sure within the next 2-5 years they will all start trying to grow their families with new precious additions. I am beyond excited that a new journey will be made for all of them, however it also makes me a little selfish that I should be treasuring all of these precious moments -- going out when I can, hanging out when I can, and making every effort possible to get together. 

 

That casual Friday Happy Hour will be no longer unless someone can grab a babysitter, sitting around watching Sunday Funday football won't be the same with an infant crying in the background, and a spontaneous trip to Atlantic City won't be happening that easily unless your parents/in-laws are willing to spend the night at your place. Instead of going to bar to celebrate birthdays we will be heading to homes for baby showers and 1st birthday parties with little tikes running around.

 

Please don't mistake this for me not liking children or enjoying them because as most of you know I love them -- my two nephews and niece are my world and I would do anything for them. At one point in my life I questioned even having kids, but being an aunt has COMPLETELY changed my perspective and I can not wait to have my own family one day. But take this blog post more as an eye opener --- that our lives are flying by and changes are happening rapidly. Personally, and I hope others may now think this way as well, I hope I treasure every second with my friends while I have my early 20s now because with a blink of an eye, your core group of friends will always be your best friends, but with a slight difference - a difference most likely for the better in their life, but a difference that will toss up the whole group.

Love Ourselves

Keeping this a short post. Was looking at a few quotes this morning and came across this one from John Lennon. This is something I have really been working on over the last few years and I’m improving every single day. I’m openly willing to admit that not loving myself has absolutely affected me in my past relationships but I’m finally at the point where I believe I am stepping over the hump – and to be honest, IT FEELS GREAT!! I am me, I need to except me and love me FOR me. Here is to all of you who can relate:

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
― John Lennon

Learning to Love Again

We all go through heart break – whether it be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a spouse/significant other, a bad break up or feeling defeat.

With all hurting there comes healing – healing to make yourself happy and learning to love again.

Just recently my best friend, Caroline, and her husband, Ryan, suffered a terrible lose with their 3-year-old Boxer, Phillie. An outgoing, adventurous pup who was OBSESSED with her balls– Phillie was man’s best friend, the Bergh’s child and a heartbreaker to many with her adorable face and wonderful kisses. During the summer of 2012, Caroline and Ryan noticed Phillie was starting to drag her back legging causing her toenails to bleed from hitting the ground. With a vet check they said they didn’t notice anything and would continue to monitor. It was then during the late fall when conditions got worse and several tests were taken that they learned Phillie had a tumor on her spin – a health issue that would cause her to lose function on her back legs and control of her bowel movements. Phillie fought a hard battle and her parents did everything they could to keep her comfortable.

To see my best friend experience such a terrible loss, to hear her cry like that over the phone to me, and to feel so hopeless in such an awful situation - it was one of the toughest things I have ever had to experience in my life. Caroline’s heart is my heart, so when she hurts, I hurt.

It has been several months since Caroline and Ryan had to put down their dearest Phillie, but the Berghs will be starting a new chapter in their lives – this one bringing TWO gorgeous sister Boxer puppies into their world – Zen and Kai. Phillie will never be replaced but these two bundles of joy will bring a light in Ryan and Caroline’s eyes again. Just yesterday Caroline and Ryan picked up their newest additions and to hear the happiness in Caroline’s voice again is so amazing.

On twitter Caroline posted:
‏@ceebbee24: Kai&Zen #sleepyboxers #sisters #newbeginning #learningtoloveagain

And this is exactly that – new beginnings, a new journey and learning to love again. This is a lesson to all those suffering – you will yet again experience happiness again with time and healing.