I have lived a full life in Virginia Beach these past two years. No other season has produced quite as much growth as this one, and while I am sad to be leaving I know it's time to move on. However, what has made this stage most meaningful are the many friends who have so graciously walked with me through it. They have taught me so much, and I feel their lessons should be passed on to the world. Therefore, this blog is dedicated to them: the courageous, the strong--the ones that taught me not to be afraid of the dark.
Jenny: By being who you are, you have given me the gift of patience. You are an extremely dedicated and loyal friend. You don't give up on those around you no matter what the circumstances are, and you are committed to standing with them. Your sensitivity to the needs of others is such a beautiful thing, and a true part of who you are. You have taught me grace in such a tangible way, and I can honestly say you are one of the most caring people I know. You are my sister-friend! Memories: that time we decided to "wash" the blinds", CRACK DONUTS, THE SQUALLS, just going out in general, tequila, watching illegal movies, crying a lot as we figured out we were a little more messed up than we originally thought, all our talks (about the s word), being obsessed with the Olympics, GOT, your baking, festivals and concerts, CRACK BAT, trying (and failing) to make fires, sharing a bathroom with you, and just really all the moments we shared together talking about absolutely everything on our bedroom floors.
Lydia: You are my person. Whatever I've been through--you get it. You know before I even say it, and you normalize my experiences. You have given me the freedom to be who I am, where I am. That's a once in a lifetime sort of thing. It is rare to meet someone who knows. You are actually probably the only person who would even understand what this means. You love me because of my flaws, because you see how they have made me who I am. You get me. Let's get married one day. I love you! Memories: fort building, laughing at things no one else gets, Baxters, that time we just stared at everyone at Eagles Nest, IT'S NOT MY FIRST TIME IN THE WORLD and SO FAR SO BAD, all the salsa nights, dancing in the rain, hanging up the twinkle lights for approximately one hundred hours, being terrible at karaoke but still singing to THE HEARTS ALL OVER THE WORLD, all the beautiful gifts and thoughtful notes you left for me, THE CIRCUS and a thousand balloons, our lesbian dates, running the 5K we did not train for, listening to J. Cole and T.I. on repeat, FROYO all day, ODing on Brad Pitt, ABSOLUTELY NO BINGO PARKING, being in the dark place, timbs, and our times contemplating the darkness of the world and the strengths of our souls at the lake
Sammi: Your spirit! I just love your spirit. You are so humble and kind. I love our hippy backgrounds and I love that you have a great deal of wisdom. Thank you for letting me be, for letting me sit with you and watch endless hours of Dexter and Gossip Girl, for listening to my problems and really thinking about your responses. You see people. That's a gift. Hold on to it. Memories: Being very introverted and very OK with it, Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, Dexter, drinking so much wine and eating so much chocolates, complaining about how our bodies are failing us in our old age, that time we did that project together but didn't really know each other, sharing knowing glances because you can read my mind, throwing a party, listening to chill music and just being chill together, talking about boys that are idiots and acknowledging the irony of our lives, spending all the best times in your bed and not talking and watching Community
Elise: My scar sister and beautiful friend. Thank you for ALWAYS believing in me, loving me, and talking me through my crazy. I have shared so many laughs with you and can't wait to share many more. You have a genuineness about you that cannot be faked, and a wisdom that can only come from experience and insight. I absolutely cherished our time together in VA Beach, and all the fun-filled moments that we shared EMBRACING life after depression. Thank you for teaching me how to enjoy all life has to offer--you have made my life richer in so many ways and I have learned how to CELEBRATE because of you. Memories: CHKD, going to the Banque, going line dancing pretty much all the time, getting sloppy swish, dancing on dead grandmas table, NOBODY ASKED YOU PATRICE, hitting up the beach, training and somehow running the Shamrock, BRUNCH!, "Who's to say, really?", having effing problems, KIKI, your memes!! (erase them), summer shandys, GALentines day, life is hard move on, THE OFFICE quotes, WARBYS, complaining about Regent, eating pasta, grasshoppers
Tranese: Thank you for being such a great listening ear! Living with you for a year was a blessing, and I learned so much from you as we connected over our past. You are understanding, humble, and compassionate, and I know that these traits will only benefit you as you continue forward in your program. Thank you for teaching me how to be gracious and for taking the time to answer and examine some of the harder questions in life. Your willingness to engage in "messy" topics in order to bring about healing is really admirable, and such an example to me. Thank you for being who you are!
Memories: cooking southern food, listening to Backstreet Boys during lightening storms, laughing at dumb YouTube videos, oooh child things are gunna get better, Regent CARES and our crazy callers, helping you put together your bed, and all of our talks about family, love, and life. You are amazing!
Justin: Unconditional confidence. You have always seen me, even when I would try to convince you otherwise. You have never let me sit in my shame or in my not-good-enough, and for that I am grateful. You let me be who I was, where I was, and I never worried that you would change your mind about me if you saw my dark side. From you I learned that vulnerability does not equal weakness, and that I am worthy of love and belonging. You are going to be an amazing therapist! Memories: Principle Frye, FOR YOUUUU, getting Wendy's way more than we should have, hours upon hours at Starbucks, comparing our lives to New Girl, JAR, laughing at the ridiculousness of life, just laughing in general, YouTube videos and Vines, suffering through summer semester together, learning from our weaknesses and our strengths, realizing that we'd LOST THE ABILITY TO LOVE, going through my MMPI results as you patiently convinced me I was not crazy, EVERYTHING ALL OF IT
Tiffany: You are my girl! I love you so much! I am SO THANKFUL for everything you have taught me this year. You have made me a braver, better person. You are so compassionate and full of genuine care for others, I know that you would do anything for your friends and for the kids at Seton. You are hardworking, strong, and confident in your abilities. You have taught me to believe in myself, and I will always carry that with me. Memories: Planning our Halloween Hunt, talking for hours about our relationships, laughing at our crazy kids, embracing the drama in our life, going to Rainbow Cactus, celebrating my birthday, figuring out how to be better counselors, talking about Charming Charlies!
Jasmine: So much love. For you. Always. I love our adventures, I love our talks, I just love everything about you! If I could live with you for the rest of my life I would probably be content. You SHINE from the inside out and have a way of impacting those around you for the good. You are a life changer. I am so blessed to have met you, and I can honestly say you are one of the COOLEST people I have ever met. You have taught me NEVER to be afraid of what other people think, to embrace everything life has to offer, and to live LOUD. I go into my future with great hope and expectation because you have pushed me to follow my dreams! Memories: Goofy movie (you know), the Valentine's Day Olympics, raiding the kitchen ALL DAY, eating way too many donuts, drinking wine and going to Trader Joe's, NACHOS!!, walking around Ghent, making the kids do that crazy laser maze, bonding over similar pasts, GETTING OUR TATTOOS. I love you to the moon and back!!
Chief Keith: You have been such a big part of my life this year. Thank you for ALWAYS bringing me back to reality and for constantly reminding me of who I am. You were such an amazing support this year and my intern experience would have been so different without you! Thank you for going with me into dark places and for holding the light up when I could not. Because of you I have learned to own my positive qualities, embrace my crazy, and to get out of my head (though we both know I am still working on that one). I will be a better clinician and a more whole person because of you!
Memories: CRAZY TOWN (enough said).
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