I still can’t believe how lucky I am to be a part of this incredible gang of women. A few years ago, while sitting on a bed in a hotel room in Santa Barbara, we shared one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had with friends. A simple but bold question turned into a life-changing conversation, and one of girls turned her life over to Jesus. It was, in short, transformational. And it was one of those experiences that bonds you to the other people who were present.

Since then, our group has been really intentional about keeping in touch- an annual trip away, prayer requests, an emergency group Gchat when one of our own needs support on something, text threads, the like. And I can’t get over the feeling of how lucky I am to be friends with these women. A true and authentic group of women who love me for who I am, not who I could pretend to be. There’s no pretense, none at all, and never have I felt as safe with a group of girls as I do with this one. It’s a rarity, especially in an industry like ours, and there aren’t words to describe how much I treasure those relationships.

If you’re in the wedding/creative industry and you find yourself struggling with feeling alone or lonely, unwanted or unpopular, find a squad like mine. Find a group of people who love you for who you are, NOT for what you can offer them/their career. People who will push you beyond what you think you’re capable of, friends who will speak truth into your life, and do so in LOVE. And ones who recognize your gifts and abilities, often before you recognize them yourself.

Natalie, Lauren, Katie, Ali, Anna, Katelyn, Annamarie, Nikki, Jilly & Caroline, I love you ladies so much! I already can’t wait for next year. Thank you for gently pushing me to see myself in a softer light than I typically use to paint my own character, and for always pointing me toward grace, toward Jesus.

A few iPhone snaps from the trip, since I only brought my film camera! I’ll blog my scans once I have them, promise!