A Thank You Letter to Helen and Orlando

Dear Helen and Orlando,

My last week of summer was spent in Helen and Orlando spending time with my sister. We were able to zip line, go to theme parks, see awesome shows, and eat a lot of good food (on a budget). However, I’m not writing to you so can hear a detailed letter about the things we did while we were there. I’m writing to you to give you a huge thank you.

I’d like to give you both a huge thanks but I’ll start off addressing Helen, Georgia.

Prior to this week, I never even knew you were on the map. However, after this week you became the first stop on a road trip with my sister. You became the place where my sister and me would go on our first adventure together at the age of twenty and twenty-four. You allowed us to laugh about getting lost driving to the zip line tour and a place to laugh even more when we were scared about flying through the woods on a wire. Thank you Helen for having nothing to do after we zip lined. If there was actually something to do, we wouldn’t of gotten to try peach milkshakes together and sit in a hotel room sharing silly stories from middle and high school.   

Orlando, the things I have to thank you for are unlimited.  I’d like to start by thanking you for Magic Kingdom. Without it, my sister and me wouldn’t have gotten to reminiscence on childhood memories (something we haven’t done in ages). Magic Kingdom allowed us to run through the rain racing to get to another ride and laugh about getting stuck on a haunted mansion ride. If there was no Magic Kingdom, me and my sister wouldn’t have got to stand in line for Space Mountain for two hours talking about life and the way we viewed things. We also wouldn’t of realized that we both agree people are way too touchy at amusement parks (lol).

My next thank you is to Universal and Islands of Adventure. You allowed me and my sister to ride The Mummy six times in a row and make jokes about the horrible directions your employees give. Without these two parks, we wouldn’t have had to work together in order to fit one bag in a locker or try to be patient with the extremely annoying children behind us. These two theme parks allowed us to be excited together, annoyed together, and tired together.  It allowed us to compromise on things we wanted or didn’t want.

So why am I really thanking you guys?  I thank you (Helen and Orlando) for allowing me to see the sister I thought I lost to addiction so many years ago is still there. And for a matter of fact, not only is she there but she's better than ever. The map planning, long waits, tiring drives, yummy dinners, incredible shows, and fun rides, allowed me to see my sister in ways that I never have before. For the first time in my life, we were traveling together, laughing together, talking together, and just being together. Being actual sisters to one another is something I have dreamed of for so long. Yeah, she’s been sober for a couple years now but I was coming to terms with the fact that we would probably never be close. That’s when you came in, Helen and Orlando, that’s when you showed me that I didn’t lose a sister, I gained one better than I could have ever imagined. 

I know people probably frown upon “airing dirty laundry” on social media but I’m proud to say I no longer see my sisters past addiction as “dirty laundry”. I see it as something that was very challenging but also something so beautiful in the long run. It allowed our family to really treasure the small things and not take anything for granted. Before this, I would have hated waiting in line, driving twelve hours, and being in Orlando during the hottest time of the year but the week we spent together will forever be one of the best weeks of my life.

I also post this because I know God’s timing is incredible and I really felt compelled to share this. Addiction is prevalent and it’s scary so to those of you that may be in the boat my family was in a couple of years ago: I know it’s hard to say anything that will make the situation better because a lot of people don’t understand but I promise there’s hope and joy in the long run if you keep the faith.

The World's View < God's View

Body Image. It’s everywhere. Literally, it’s all over social media, billboards, T.V advertisements. Everywhere. Stores are stocking the shelves with “magic weight loss pills”, Pinterest is filled with diets/workouts that convince you losing ten pounds in a week is reasonable, and the world is telling you that you don’t look up to par. I feel so compelled to write about this because I know im not the only person who struggles with this. Now I will say body image is not something I have always struggled with but these past three years it hit me like a ton of bricks

So this is where MY story begins. Before college, I always played ball and stayed extremely active so I could pretty much eat whatever I wanted and still be pretty skinny. Well, then I stopped playing and stopped being so active. The summer before I moved off to college consisted of babysitting, a busy schedule, no exercise and a whole lot of fast food. But who cares? I could always eat what I wanted and not gain a pound. A couple of months later I moved off to college where I’m thinking, “I’m broke, can’t afford food, and have a free gym so I’m definitely not going to gain weight”. Now, I’m laughing at myself for thinking this. Since, I couldn’t afford good food, I ate the dining hall, which consisted of unlimited fried food, desserts, pizza, etc. Yes, I had to walk everywhere but it was usually to events that had free food. Yes, I had a free gym but not a whole lot of free time. So long story short, I gained weight that I was not expecting to.

Eventually, I just became miserable. Miserable walking to class/going to events, looking in the mirror, taking pictures with friends, etc. My clothes no longer fit like they used to, I constantly wanted to untag myself from pictures, I hated running into people from high school, and I found myself constantly saying “if I could just be skinny, I would be happy”. I tried several stupid diets and would lose a couple pounds than gain them right back and it was just a roller coaster. Thankfully, I have truly started living a healthier lifestyle and have lost weight BUT the whole point of me writing this is not so I can share a story about how I’ve lost so much weight along with weight loss tips but more so I can share a couple of things I wish I would have realized this time last year. 

1.    Beauty within is much more valuable

Instead of constantly worrying about what people think of your hair/makeup/clothes, why not worry what people think of your heart?

2.    Someone else is envying something about you

While you’re walking to class wishing you had that girls hair, that other girls legs, and that other girls eyes, someone is looking at you thinking the same exact thing. Just think, some don’t know what it’s like to have two arms or legs.

3.    Don’t let the world’s standards become your standards

Just because we live in a world that puts so much pressure on looks, don’t think that’s all that matters. I promise in the grand scheme of things, looks are pretty minor.

4.    You are ALWAYS enough

If anyone ever says you’re not enough because of looks, just laugh. I promise the day you are greeted into your eternal home; God is going to be blown away by your beauty.

5.    If living healthy, who are you to question your creator who made you?

The God that created the sunsets you take pictures of, the same one who made those incredibly beautiful oceans, is the same one who created YOU.  So why question the way he made you? Everyone is not made to look the same.

6.    “Comparison is the ultimate thief of joy”

Yeah, that girl may have the hair or legs you want but I bet she can’t do half of the incredible things that you can do. Don’t forget what you’ve been blessed with while looking around wishing you’re something else.

"The Lord does not look at the things man look at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." -1 Samuel 16:7 

As a part of getting healthier, me and my parents ran a 5k so go team :)

 

Thirteen Things A Woman Should Expect Out Of A Man

So I've been dating the same guy since sophomore year and I am so lucky that he is not only my boyfriend but my best friend. Throughout high school things were great and I saw him very often and spent most of my sports free weekends with him. Junior year came and the school tours began with most of them being out of town for me. I looked at Alabama, Auburn, UAB, and even considered staying home and attending UAH. After lots of thought I decided to attend UAB in Birmingham. Birmingham is only about an hour and a half from Huntsville so I loved the fact I was away from home but not too far because I love my parents and they are two of the best friends I've ever had. Once I started telling people I was going to Birmingham everyone was excited but somewhere in the conversation came the inevitable question: "So are you and Brian going to date while going to different colleges?"
   
To me, that question just seemed silly. Of course we were going to stay together! We had been dating two and a half years and there was no reason to throw that away when there was no issue. I thought that if both of us wanted it to work, it would.
   
Even though this was how I thought, a lot of people don't. People now see college as a place to meet lots of guys and eventually find one worth marrying. You go home for the holidays and all of the family is asking if you've met any guys. Although there really should be no rush and God will place the right guy in your life when he sees fit whether that's before, during, or after college. I know it's so easy to get caught up when a guy shows interest in you but that doesn't mean that you should lower your standards at the first sight of a cute guy that says hey. I really started to see that even though moms advice seemed annoying in high school, it would really come in handy in college. So ladies just a few things to remember:

1.) He should open the door for you: I don't care how long it's been the guy should open the car door, restaurant door, etc. He should open it not only for you but other ladies also.

2.) He should compliment you: The guy you're with is supposed to build you up, not tear you down. Yeah, maybe you did gain the freshman fifteen but he is supposed to tell you how beautiful you are not that you've put on a little weight.

3.) He should go out of his way for you: If you need something whether it's advice or a favor, he's supposed to be there for you. Especially those late nights at the library when you need chocolate. :)

4.) He should respect you: He should respect you with his words and his actions and never should a guy make you feel threatened.

5.) He should take you out every now and then: You may not be able to all the time because let's face it, movies and dinner is expensive but every now and then it's a nice way to spend an evening together. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant.

6.) He should protect you: One day, that guy will be the man of the home and he has to be able to take care of you and your family.

7.) He should challenge you: He is supposed to make you a better person and vise verse so challenge each other and hold one another accountable.

8.) He should pray for you: Prayer is powerful and he should want to know what you need in prayer and that goes for both genders.

9.) He should support you: No matter how many times you change your major or future plans he should support you every step of the way.

10.) He should know your girl friends are still important too: Yes, relationships are wonderful but those girls have been there since day one and will be there no matter the outcome of the relationship.

11.) He should have the right intentions: You date to marry. If you can't see yourself marrying them then just let it go.

12.) He should treat his parents with respect: Watch how a guy treats his mom because that's how he will treat you.

13.) He should match up his actions with his word: Yeah, I know he says he loves you but does he show he loves you?


Now, I'm not trying to say by any means that I have a perfect relationship or am some relationship genius because me and my boyfriend bicker just like everyone else and I'm not saying that the guy has to be perfect because no one is, not even you. But there's no reason that now a days in college it's an achievement if a guy has brought home more girls in a week than his roommate. So what happened to the old fashioned dating? I promise there are great guys out there and chivalry does exist. And just remember, God is working on your future husband so let Him work. And in the meantime go ahead and plan your dream wedding on Pinterest because it's fun and that's what girls can do. :)

Ten things all College Girls Should Really Know

I’m not a writer and I’m definitely not a blogger but recently there have been things on my mind that I feel like should be shared. While being bored in class waiting for lectures to start I tend to scroll through my Facebook feed and I just can’t help but notice the amount of articles that are shared and the content within them. I’ve seen things about young marriages, college, mothers, and some simply about “how to live life”. Trust me, I share the articles too so this is not pointed at those who do. While some of them have good points in them I just have to sit there and think how these articles can be true to every person reading them. I called my mom to vent the other day about how someone was ridiculing the way I liked to spend my free time simply because it was different from theirs. I have to be honest and say I expected my mom to just say she was sorry and hoped that it would get better. However, my mother began to talk about how everyone is different and how just like that girl shouldn’t judge me, I shouldn’t judge others. What a slap in the face. Being an teenage girl at a college in a big city I find it SO easy to judge others without knowing their story.  After putting some serious thought into this I just had to give my two cents on all of the articles that are swarming around the Internet. So, my college ladies out there, this is for you:

1.  It’s okay to be single in college. Dating can be stressful to some people especially when it’s long distance and both of you are attending different colleges. 

2. It’s okay to date in college. Some people meet the person they see themselves spending their life with in college and some even in high school. So if someone loves spending time with their significant other in college, let them.
3. It's okay to change your major.
There are people who realize that when they get to their major classes, they can’t seen themselves doing that for the rest of their lives. That’s normal. That’s okay.

4.  It’s okay to never change your major in college. If teaching is something you’ve wanted to do since you were five, then do it. If you’ve wanted to be a doctor as long as you could speak, then do it.

5. It’s okay to party in college. Partying is an obvious part of college because of the freedom of it all. Once you step out into the real world, there won’t be time for that.

6. It’s okay not to party in college. For some people going to frat houses or bars is completely out of their comfort zone and they would rather spend their Friday nights with friends watching movies or going bowling. You know what? That’s okay.

7. It’s okay to go to the gym all the time. Our bodies are temples created by God so we have to take care of them and if going to the gym all the time is something you love, have at it.

8. It’s okay to rarely go to the gym. Once again, our bodies are temples created by GOD and there is no flaw in you. Thigh gap or no thigh gap, you are beautiful.

9.  It’s okay if you don’t want to live in your hometown forever. Some people love change of scenery and love to travel and if living somewhere far away from your hometown is a dream, go after it.

10. Its okay if you want to live in your hometown forever. Some people love the town and the family that lives there and if someone plans to settle in the town they have never left, let them.

The list could go on and on but that’s not my point in all of this. My point is that everyone’s different. When it comes to the way someone chooses to live their life, it is completely up to them. Yes, we should help guide others down a good path but we shouldn’t judge if someone isn’t making the same exact decisions as us. God called us to love everybody no matter what the circumstances.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful" -Colossians 3:12-15