Life Lessons Learned from My Best Friend's Wedding

Dear Em,
I wasn't feeling well on Friday. I came home & basically went straight to bed, but first I popped My Best Friend's Wedding into the DVD player. The movie was made in the 90s (I think), & I can't believe how outdated it already looks. It's been a while since I've watched it, but in college it was my go-to chick flick. If I was having a tough day or just feeling off, My Best Friend's Wedding was my movie of choice.

As I watched it this time, I realized that it holds a lot of life lessons that I want to share with you (you will probably have to watch the movie to understand some of the references).

1.) You Will Never Be Jello. There will be times that you will love someone who will not love you the same way back. It will hurt & it will be hard, but it doesn't mean that you are anything less than absolutely & completely amazing. It doesn't mean that you're not enough or you need to change who you are. It's just that some people prefer jello while others prefer creme brulee. You will never be jello. You can take a moment to cry about that & the fact that a relationship just isn't going to work out the way you had hoped, but don't take too long. Somewhere out there is the person who can appreciate & love creme brulee. Somewhere there is a person who will love everything about you, a person you can grow with. Until you find that person, just be yourself. The most important love is the kind you have for yourself. Just know, in your heart, how amazing & beautiful & smart you are...& love yourself for it.

2.) Don't Be Afraid to Love...& Say It Out Loud. I think too many people are afarid of love, but if it's real & it's true, love should never be something you're afraid of. The people we love are only on this earth for a finite time. Things can change so drastically from one day to another. When you love someone, don't be afraid to tell them. They might not say it back, & that's OK. When you're talking to you friends & family, let them know you love them often. When someone has been on your mind, but you haven't talked to that person in a while, don't be afraid to be the one to reconnect. In my life, it's not the times I shared my love that I regret. Instead, I wish I could have said so many more "I love yous." For some people, the moment has passed, & I can't go back. I'm trying not to let those moments go by. I tell you I love you at least 67,000 times a day, because you make my heart feel so full, I can't help but share it with you. Also, I don't want even one moment to pass by where you don't know how absolutely & completely loved you are.

3.) Make Sure You Remember Your Friends...You'll Need Them. When you're in a relationship, things change. You have to make room for that other person in your life, but that doesn't mean you no longer have room for your friends. You'll need your friends, the people who knew you before you became part of a couple. Sometimes they will remind you of who you are. Sometimes they will be a sounding board to vent to. Mostly, they're the people you can have fun with, make precious memories with, & laugh until you cry with. Plus, if things don't work out with your relationship, you'll need their shoulders to cry on (as they'll need your shoulder from time to time as well). Take time for your friends. If you're lucky, you will spend some of your life's most amazing moments with your gal pals.

4.) Music is Everything. Music makes the best moments that much sweeter. Music can also bring a smile to the most awful day. Music is sometimes like an old friend, giving you a sense of warm nostalgia when an old, cherished song comes on. A new song can also be like a new friend, being just what you need as you create new memories. I can't quite put to words the way music has made my life...greater? But I think if you surround yourself with music, you will find pieces of happiness that you otherwise would not have discovered.

5.) I Love Julia Roberts. Ok, this one isn't exactly a life lesson, but it needed to be said.

You're still a little young for My Best Friend's Wedding, but I look forward to someday sharing it with you. Yes, it is going to make you think I am ancient. The cell phones in this movie are the size of bricks. But we'll save the movie for a crappy day. We'll make popcorn & we'll eat ice cream out of the carton. We'll laugh & we'll sing & we'll cry over Julia Robert's heartbreak...& hopefully our crappy day will feel a little less crappy.

I love you so,
Mommy

Easter Recap 2015

Dear Em,
All week last week you were bubbling with excitement for Easter. You looked forward to scavenger hunts & goodies from Mr. E Bunny & time with family. I think the weekend lived up to every one of your expectations. We had such a precious Easter weekend this year.

We had a busy day on Saturday, but Daddy wanted to make sure we fit in time to dye Easter eggs. I was ready to skip the tradition. No one eats hard boiled eggs except for me. Daddy insisted, & I'm glad he did. You had so much fun decorating your eggs & were so proud to share your results with the Easter Bunny.

The night before Easter, while Daddy & I were playing Easter Bunny, Daddy turned to me & said, "This is my favorite part of being a parent. Well, my favorite part of being a parent is actually being a parent, but then there's this. There's only so long that this is going to be magical for her. She won't always believe in Santa & the Easter Bunny. These moments are such special moments that we won't have forever." 

It's true. You woke up Sunday with a sparkle in your eyes the next morning. "It's Easter! It's Easter!" You were beyond excited for the scavenger hunt you knew the Easter Bunny had in store for you, but you were content to fit in some morning family snuggles first.

"Hey Em, I just found these bunny ears, this basket, & a note for you," I said as I held out your first scavenger hunt clue. "It's clue number one of my scavenger hunt!! Come on! Let's start the scavenger hunt!" Your joy overflowed as you bounced up & down. This is what you had been waiting for. Daddy read you the clue, & you excitedly exclaimed where you thought the next clue would be. The Easter Bunny left eggs full of strawberries, raspberries, peanuts, & goldfish with each clue. You excitedly snacked as you went along.

The Easter Bunny ate the carrots we left out.

The last clue told you to look where you store your clothes that protect you from the rain. You threw open the downstairs closet door, looking right past your great big Easter basket & up at your rain jacket. "I guess I was wrong. Nothing is here," you said in the saddest voice. I tried not to giggle behind you. Your basket was right in front of you. All you had to do was look down. After breezing through the 25 clues of your scavenger hunt, it seemed to take forever before you finally spotted your big surprise.

The end of your scavenger hunt was bittersweet for you. You loved the Easter surprises your basket contained, but you were so sad that your scavenger hunt had already come to an end. "Oh, Mommy, that was so much fun. I wish that we could have Easter all over again."

You & I watched Annie (both the old & the new movies are your favorite- I'm so ecstatic to have a musical buddy) while Daddy cooked corn fritters. We ate our breakfast at Daddy's restaurant while the sun shone through the windows. It was kind of the perfect morning.

Later we headed out to share Easter dinner with family. You were so excited to see Grandma & Papa & your aunts, uncles, & cousins. You were also excited to participate in an egg hunt. There was candy & desserts galore & you happily ate until you had a stomachache.

We had such a fun day, & you were not thrilled about our Easter coming to an end. We snuggled together as we read books & said our prayers, & I asked you what your favorite parts of the day were. You loved that we spent the day with family, & you loved that your day was full of special treats. Most of all you loved your scavenger hunt.

I think my favorite part of the day was the magic. I know there will come a day when you learn that the Easter Bunny is not exactly what the stories have lead you believe, but I hope you will still find magic on Easter morning. It's been a long time since the Easter Bunny has left any surprises for me, but Easter is still such a magical time. For me, the magic comes in passing down traditions & creating new ones. I feel it as we get together with family to celebrate new life & growth. I see it as the first flowers begin to bud & bloom. There is such magic in knowing that we're celebrating Jesus dying for our sins & rising again so that we can one day do the same. More than anything, little girl, you & the excitement in your eyes & smiles across your face fill Easter with magic for me.

I love you so,

Mommy

Love Letters

Dear Em,

"Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life."

- Janine di Giovanni

After the winter we've had, I don't think we could be more ready for "hope, renewal, & new life." I looked out our backdoor at the fresh snow covering our yard on Sunday morning & thought, "It's beginning to look a lot like...Easter?" After the winter we had, Easter photos in the snow seemed incredibly appropriate.

You preferred the much warmer, indoor photo shoot with the Easter Bunny. Is it just me, or do you look a little bit less like a little girl & a little more like a young lady each & every day?

Happy Easter, my little love! Here's to new life...& green grass...& flowers blooming...& sunshine. Remember that Jesus is the reason for this beautiful season.

I love you so,

Mommy

Throwback Thursday: Easter Bunny Photos

Dear Em,
Is it just me or did Easter Bunnies from when I was growing up look a little creepy? This bunny is truly the stuff nightmares are made of. He looks a little more likely to hide in the bushes & rob our house than to leave sweet Easter surprises. How did I willingly sit on his lap & smile? How was I not running away & crying in terror?!

This Easter Bunny that Daddy & Aunt Andrea are sitting with looks a little less terrifying, but something about the eyes make him look a little...drunk? Clearly someone spiked his peeps. I hope he had a designated driver to take him around for all of his Easter activities. But, seriously, isn't Daddy so stinkin' cute in his overalls?

Thank goodness for the Easter Bunny at Roger Williams Zoo. No need for horrifying nightmares or breathalyzer tests. He's just your average, friendly, neighborhood Easter Bunny.

So, when you're in your teens & you think that I'm probably the worst mom in the whole entire universe, just remember who kept you away from the creepy, possibly drunk Easter Bunnies.

I love you so,

Mommy

Easter Egg hunting at the zoo...even when there is snow

Dear Em,
We woke up Sunday morning to find snow covering the ground...again. I tried my best to grin & bear it. I wasn't going to let the snow ruin our plans. This winter had cooped us up inside for long enough. So, we bundled up & headed outside for an outdoor egg hunt at the zoo.

Yup, you read that right, a snowy & cold, outdoor egg hunt. "Mom, I think it's supposed to be Spring, but it's still winter. It feels like winter is the longest." You're absolutely right, Em. In New England we seem to still have winter even when it's Spring. So we make the best of it, head to our local zoo, & have a blast in spite of it all (we also enjoyed Easter at the zoo in 2013 & 2014).

You were surprised & thrilled when your best friend Savanna & her family joined us at the zoo. The two of you looked so unbelievably grown up & beautiful in your dresses.

Luckily, the Easter Bunny was indoors this year, & we were able to take off your winter coat for Easter pictures. After you & Savanna took photos with Mr. E Bunny, there were also real bunnies to look at.

We changed you into comfier clothes & back into your winter gear before letting you loose to play in the Big Backyard for a little while before the egg hunt began. The Easter Egg hunt at Roger Williams Zoo is a popular one for kids & families in the area, but I love that since it's spread out throughout the zoo, it doesn't get too crowded (& it helps if you start early). 

Once we had our sheet of clues, we read them aloud to you & Savanna. You two are so bright & excitedly guessed the animals that matched the clues. While we walked to where the clues led, there were so many fun activities along the way. There were photos opportunities with fun characters, games to play, crafts to do, hula hooping, & dance parties.

When you had found the last clue, you collected your prize: a packet of flower seeds to grow. You were so happy to have been able to share the fun morning with dear friends. I was thrilled to have spent the morning in fresh air. I was so thankful to the zoo for giving us an excuse to head outside in spite of the weather & fill our morning with such fun activities. Daddy...well, Daddy was really hungry for lunch. Ha!

I love our Rhode Island traditions...even if sometimes they take place in the snow.

I love you so,

Mommy