Freeky Friday: Equal To The Love You Make

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As the summer draws to a close, so we say goodbye to this year's Freeky Friday. Our last topic:

What was the best thing that happened to you this summer?

When this summer started, I thought the best thing about it would be exploring New York with all of the wonderful friends I've made here. And make no mistake - that was wonderful. But it turns out that the best part of this summer was reuniting with some of the people who have been with me for the longest time.

It started at the beginning of the summer, when my sorority sisters Maddie & Bonnie came up to visit. It was kind of a rough week for me, and they managed to completely take my mind off of everything I was feeling. I got to see some parts of the city I had never seen before through a really awesome tour/show hybrid called Accomplice and take them to a few of my favorite haunts. Whether we were getting rained on at South Street Seaport or drinking shmishmoshas at Jalapeno, it was the perfect visit.

As I mentioned in two previous posts, I visited Boston for the 4th of July to reunite with my oldest and dearest friends in my oldest and dearest city. It's kind of lame to admit, but most of what we did that weekend was lay around and chat... and that's exactly what I wanted to do. We had our share of tourist fun, but for the most part, I just wanted to catch up with my girls! Highlight of the weekend? Swan Boat Ride.

After Boston, I traveled down South: first to Atlanta, then to Gainesville/Jacksonville, then back up to the A. I'm still astounded at how many visits I managed to cram in to a single week. My dad greeted me at the airport with (cold yet still somehow delicious) Chick-fil-A, and I spent the next day talking with him and playing with my sister in Suburbia. Julia & I have this problem where whenever we're around our parents, we turn into 5-year-olds. It's kind of an excellent problem to have.

 

(Photo not from this summer because I forgot I had a camera in ATL)

See that dude in the back up there? That's my brother-in-law. He's pretty much the greatest photobomber ever. I always have a great time staying with him & my sister, but this time was special. It was my first visit to Atlanta since the wedding, so it was the first time where we didn't have to plan a billion things. It was so nice to just relax with them!

Julia, Dave and I also got to catch up with some of my friends from high school. Mike & Ross moved to Atlanta pretty recently, so Julia put on her expertise pants and took us to Ormsby's. After a few rounds of craft beer and Apples to Apples, I was reminded how awesome these boys are. I've known Mike since I was 10 and Ross since I was 13. How crazy is that?! It was so fun to reminisce on old times (like the time Mike showed up on my doorstep and sang to me to convince me to date his friend) and talk about where we're going from here. They grow up so fast.

 

(Photo not from this summer because I forgot I had a camera in ATL)

(Also, Kevin, I'm sorry I cropped you out. But you stayed in Florida. So, sorry I'm not sorry)

I then drove down to Jacksonville, stopping in Gainesville to see my favorite cupcake makers. Stephanie and Claire are running a great show down there in the Swamp. If you haven't checked out Sarkara Sweets, you simply must! These ladies changed my life. They taught me how to do what I love, and constantly reminded me of what's really important in life. They are beautiful human beings. Beautiful human beings that I somehow don't have a picture with.

I made it to Jacksonville for my sorority sister's wedding. Ashley and Andrew have been together for about a billion years, so it was great to see them tie the knot! The best part, though, was partying with my Kappas at the reception and at some honkey tonk afterparty. I love these girls way too much. I'm a little sad I don't have a picture of ALL of us together, but this one, minus a few VIPs, will have to do:

Back in Atlanta, I had margaritas and guacamole with Lisa, another sorority sister, who is starting the next chapter of her life. She is so immensely brilliant, and I know she's going to do wonderful things. I know things are kind of crazy for her right now, so this is me formally announcing my faith that everything is going to turn out great for her. Hang in there!

All of these people have meant so much to me over the years, and it was so wonderful to spend even a little time with all of them. Every summer in my life has been defined by some negative event that happened during the time frame - the summer my parents split up, the summer my mom had breast cancer, the summer I fell mysteriously ill. The last two summers, I have been determined not to define my summers by whatever negativity would inevitably occur. This could have been the summer I felt an earthquake or prepared my northeastern friends for a hurricane. This could have been the summer I actually didn't understand what was going on in school. This could have been the summer I ended a five year relationship.

But it's not. This is the summer I was reminded how incredibly blessed I am with kick-ass friends and family all over the country. This is the summer I took grown-up vacations with my friends. This is the summer I showed tourists around my city. This is the summer of positivity. And you, Freek Nation, have been a huge part of that. Freeky Friday has been a weekly reminder of all of the beautiful things in my past, present, and future. It has meant so much to me to have all of you participating. To be honest, the single greatest thing that happened to me this summer was the love I feel every Friday when I see your tweets, blog posts, and Facebook comments. Thank you for helping make my summer what it was. I encourage you to continue finding the positivity in your life on your own. We'll be back next summer to nudge you along!

So, what's the best thing that happened to you this summer?

Remember, anyone can get Freeky on Fridays! You can participate in three different ways:

• Write a blog post using the badge html above, then comment on my post with a link to your post
• Tweet your answer using the tag #FreekyFriday
• "Like" the  Freekware Facebook page, then comment on there with your answer

Every time you post, tweet or comment in the month of August, you'll be entered to win some homemade cookies and a contribution to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in your name. You still have three chances to win this week! Be sure to check back next week to see who August's freeky winner is!