Vacations.

There truly is something so beautiful about vacations isn't there?  I enjoy every single bit of it - pre-trip and post trip.  I love planning for a trip and the anticipation that goes along with it.  I love staying up late to pack and getting up early to venture to the airport - I love airports and as much as I hate having to take all my layers off to go through security, it's all part of the travel experience! 



This past weekend, I had the privilege of vacationing with 4 lovely ladies in Newport Beach, California..and it was truly delightful, especially since it was my first official girls weekend away...EVER.  And these aren't just any ladies...these are some of my oldest friends.  I have written about these ladies a few times before - see HERE and HERE to read more about our monthly gatherings.  And to save you the trouble, I will just say that I have known the majority of these ladies for longer than 15 years, which is CRAZY to think about.  And we get together once a month in Seattle at someones home, and this month we decided to change things up a bit and venture to California to celebrate Ms. Carly Jean's birthday! Isn't she just lovely?

Anyhow, we truly had so much fun together - we laughed so much while speaking about first kisses, first boyfriends, first heartbreaks (not so funny, but funny to look back on!!).  We spent a lot of our time simply catching up and laughing…ALOT!!  There was so much laughter this past weekend and I smile as I think about it!  We have so much history.  Some of those girls I have known since elementary school.  I have seen them all through their awkward phases, braces, insecurities, puberty, you name it, I have seen it all!  I have walked alongside them through death, family tragedies, broken relationships, and so much joy.  I know their families, immediate and extended.  I know their spouses and even their children (well for one of us!).  I know what makes them laugh and what makes them ache.  I know them.  History is a beautiful thing, but friendships within that history are even more beautiful. 

Within the weekend there was a time to mourn, a time to laugh, a time to weep, a time to be real and true to who we are and who God has created each of us to be.  And it was simply beautiful.  And come Tuesday morning…when I was utterly exhausted due to lack of sleep, I found myself truly missing them - their joy, their laughter, their love. 

I feel so blessed by the beautiful friendships in my life, and I am simply in awe of the transformation that has occurred in the lives of these 4 women in the 15 plus years that I have known them.  THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE PRIVILEGE TO WITNESS YOUR LIVES AND TO WALK ALONGSIDE YOU THROUGH IT!!  You inspire me and encourage me to be a better person, and the world is simply made more beautiful because you are in it!! 

Here's to a fabulous time away...and many more beautiful moments together in the future!!

  

xoxo, 

Malia