we're all in this together

My brain is still reeling from everything I learned and soaked up from our conference in Vegas last week. It was the type of experience that you wish you could view in chunks over the course of six months, because there was so much inspiring information.

But, as with so many things like this, one of the conversations resonating most loudly in this aftermath is one that was offline and more personal.

In one of America's most manufactured cities, Hannah and I found ourselves deep in coversation with a coworker about authenticity. I greatly admire this woman, and she explained that the best piece of advice - both in your career and personal life - that she could give is to be your authentic self, always.

She held Hannah and my gazes just a minute longer than most people do and told us that this early in our careers, it's so easy to get lost in the craze and end up emulating your manager, etc. But that people will value and respect you more if you are true to yourself through and through.

Hannah and I both joked that we felt like she was literally looking into our souls - we felt just slightly more exposed than we're comfortable with.

I've noticed that often what I'm drawn to in other people is that which I want to be. Not necessarily that which I feel I'm lacking, but what I want to develop, maintain or grow. And man, oh man. Lately I am a moth to a flame with highly authentic women.

You had a bad day? Tell me more.
You're so excited you can't speak. Don't even try. I'll just watch.
You 're kind of scared and nervous but excited to move to a new city? I hear you. Been there, done that, tell me aboutttit. (but for real, tell me about it)
Stacie once told me that there are three types of people:
People that are like honey - they just ooze with honesty, willing to share their feelings like dripping honey.

People that are like sponges. With a little squeeze, they'll open up and share.

People that are like flint rocks. You can hit another stone against it all day long, but you're not getting them to open up.

I *think* I am like a sponge. I'm not oozing with openness, but if you put in some work, you'll get something.And I think it's overly ambitious to ever think I'm going to be a little honey bee girl, but lately I find myself so attracted to that type of person.I just can't stay away from the honey they're oozing.

A friend of mine posted this to instagram last week, right after said convo, and my initial thought was: who likes unmade beds!?

But then it hit me: it's the authenticity. It's the raw, authentic, real. No pretense or faking it.


And even though I'll probably never mutter that I love unmade beds, I do love that honest gasp or glee. I love the way those moments of vulnerability connect us with one another. I love the way you can be standing among a noisy networking crowd and those honest moments bring you together, show someones soul, and remind you we're all in this together.

image, image, image, not sure about the quote?

my type of people // until we meet again


I once read that there are six types of friends you should have: 
the friend who is cooler than you
the friend who is up for anything
the friend who you aspire to be
the friend who doesn't know any of your other friends
the friend who is painfully honest
the friend who has known you longer than you've known yourself

I feel fortunate to call a lot of my friends many of these things - from being way cooler than me to giving me a little bit of honesty that I need to hear - I can't count the ways I count on my friends.

This weekend I went to D.C. to visit Allie with Maggie and Jordan and by the end of the trip, I couldn't decide which was which, because they're all so outstanding at each category. My only complaint is that we were missing a few key people (ahem, ahem and ahem). Another weekend without them just won't fly.  :)


Some weekend highlights include dinner at Founding Farmers Friday, as well as dinner at We, the Pizza, Saturday. Wildly different spots, but both insanely delicious. 

We also went shopping at Eastern Market Saturday morning, where we all were successful in jewelry purchasing.



We watched the Hoosh dominate Purdue at a local IU bar. 


And so much more!

Sunday, when Allie took us to the airport, a Veteran watching us say goodbye said, "Never said goodbye. Say, until we meet again. It's never goodbye with those you love.

So, my friends, thank you for a wonderful weekend. Until we meet again...

{love}

 
As with all holidays, I'm a mighty fan of Valentine's Day. As far as I'm concerned, single doesn't have to be synonymous with cynical when it comes to February 14. Sure, it's not necessarily my fuh-avorite to go flowerless while others around me are being showered with roses. Nobody likes their have nots highlighted.

But that feeling is fleeting and greatly trumped by the happiest thought: that we're all sitting here, on this day, blatantly celebrating love. Shouting it from the rooftops - instagramming our flowers, tweeting our cards,  eating our chocolates.
 

Today, I had a few hours in Vegas before my return flight. My boss told me, in no uncertain terms, not to work this morning after our intense week. Never one to disobey orders, I thought it the perfect time to go to the outlets.

My cab driver took me to the mall, then said he'd wait for me while I shopped, since I only had about 30 minutes, then take me to the airport.

Are you sure? I asked.

Of course, he assured me.

So then I said: Well, in that case, can I leave my bag with you?

And his face lit up. He said, in broken English: that means the world to me. That you think I'm trustworthy. That you don't know me, but can tell I will protect your bag.

And while some may argue that I look at this as a lesson in being just slightly too trustworthy, I'll take a different perspective.

You see, he then went on to tell me that he left Haiti after the earthquake. He ran an orphanage there, and lost 17 of his 26 children in the aftermath. He and his four biological children and wife came to America to try to rebuild - beginning again completely. He's a minister and he's saving money right now so they can move to New York or Canada. He already has $700 saved, too and someday, when his daughter becomes a doctor, they're going to go back to Haiti to save children.

And while I sat there listening to his story, I thought about the fact that we all just want someone to listen, to care. To think that our story is worthwhile. That we're worth investing in.

We're all the same: we just want to be loved and give love.

So today, instead of thinking about the flowers that didn't get delivered to your door, or the card that didn't quite have the sentiment you were hoping for, think about all of the love around you. As you're walking down the street, or checking out at the grocery, give someone an extra long smile, or a warmer gaze than you usually do. Because today, we celebrate our love for one another. And everyone deserves to feel loved.