1 and 1/2 to 30

That was me this time last year. The last birthday in my 20’s and let me say it was a good one. I was newly in love and feeling like a million bucks in that dress 🙂 This year has flown by within the blink of an eye and now here it is….an hour and a half before I turn the big 3-0. To be completely honest I thought I would be more upset or depressed about saying goodbye to the idea of being a twenty-something. I guess it feels like your allowed to make more mistakes when your young and the minute you drop that two from the front of your age its time to grow up and do everything right. But so much has changed for me in the past few years for the good, how could I not look to the future with excitement and hope.  As I sit here and remember my early twenties I think of these two….

Good gawd I may not have made it to where I am if not for you two ladies. I can’t even begin to count the precious memories you have given me that no amount of time apart  can take away.

Manda Manda, thank you for always being the strong one. Thank you for giving me the best of advice. You have always been the most beautiful person inside and out and if I never told you this before I admire your spirit…..always have. I think I have some wrinkles from the many times you have made me laugh 🙂 Kooossssiiiies!

Casey Weirdum, oh my wifey! Look how far we have come as friends. To think that at first glance you couldn’t stand me. LOL not that I blame you. Thank you for always telling me the truth even when I didn’t want to hear it. I have always said that you were the only person that could tell me to get my act together and have me not go “Hulk” style. You have never judged me for my mistakes and have ALWAYS been there for me! I cannot wait to see you as a mommy! There is a piece of my heart that has your name stitched on it.

Now my mind is drifting back to my baby days of radio. I never did say that high school was “The best Time of My Life” like everyone else did. My intern days at 933FLZ were the days that I consider to have shaped me into the woman I am today.

Haha! Thank gawd I  haven’t changed too much since I was 23. That studo was such a special place to me! I learned my future love behind that board. RADIO! Papa Kane…you have NO IDEA what you gave me by being my mentor! This is also the place where I met another life long friend.

Chubbity, you have such a truly amazing heart! Its crazy to think how much you have accomplished since I met you! Your a hubby AND a Daddy now. All grown up! I have a little bit of catching up to do!  Thank you for being there for me through a really tough time. I never thought I would see the light at the end of that tunnel. Miss you my fellow Rock!

When I look at this picture I was a so incredibly happy. I was in Michigan and experiencing freedom and responsibility for the first time. Scary thing for a little Florida girl to be in the snow and all alone.But I did it! WSNX was my first radio job and to say I was  proud of myself would have been an understatement. I really can’t remember a time (until now) that I felt more free. That two years that I spent there will always be with me.

Leaving Florida for that job was no easy task because I had to leave my Mommy for the first time. I know I sound like a baby saying that but my mother is my heart! She has given me everything I have today! EVERYTHING!

Mommy….wow here come the tears.  I hope you know that I NEVER forgot that hug on that snowy day in Michigan. I never forgot how much you pushed me throughout life to be the very best I could be. You have always been the perfect mix of mother and best friend. I miss you every hour of every day but when times get too hard without you I always remember…You are here in my heart every step of the way. Now one know me like you do and I know whenever there is something wrong…Mommy is there. Our bond is unbreakable! I am so incredibly blessed to have such a strong/beautiful/gracious/faithful/smart woman for my mother. God could not have put me in better hands. I was the one that was blessed at 10:30 am on September 7, 1981.

Ok I have to get it together! LOL I need tissues already! So I’ve so far only written about the old days but the days as of late have been so wonderful how could I leave them out. One of my newest friends has very quickly become destines to be one of my oldest.

Amanda, I think our meeting was one of the funniest I have ever had! Thank goodness your kids are such hams or we may have not had the friendship we have today. Well we probably would have but it just made it easier that they are so darn cute! You and Jorge have made me feel like I have a little family away from home. I sometimes don’t know how you juggle being a mom and friend and wife and not loose your mind. But you always do it with a smile. I love that about you. LOL someday when I have all of those titles I know I’ll be calling you for advice. You have helped me through some pretty rough times. You were right at my doorstep when you knew I needed a hug. Thank you! I’ll never forget it!

I of course can’t forget these two….. Ed and Stephanie!!

You guys freaking rock! You may be amongst some of my newest friends but I adore you two! As a couple and as individuals! I can’t think of too many people that have been more kind to me. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. LOL let’s just try and stay away from the lightning car rides though shall we?

Geez….I have been through so many changes in the last ten years. I think of some of the biggest moments and I get a little overwhelmed remembering my excitement. Like becoming an Aunt….

Man I miss these two. It’s crazy because the first time I found out that I was going to be an aunt I went numb. I realized that I wasn’t the baby of the family and it wasn’t all about me anymore. The first time I heard the word “Titi” still rings in my ears today. I love you Punkin’ Butt and Bud-Bud!

I also can’t forget that I got a puppy. This was good mother training if you ask me. Lots of poop cleanup came along with this little girl. But I wouldn’t take back one day of it.

P!nk Presley Couture. You licked the tears away from my face when I thought I was all alone in the world. For a long time it was just me and you puppy. I love you baby puppy girl.

I just looked at the clock a realized that I only have 35 minutes until midnight. But there is no way I could end this blog without mentioning the prince that gave me this beauty.

Baby….when I think of you my heart swells with love. The kind of love that I never imagined I could feel let alone keep forever. To me love has always been the most important thing because without love what’s the point? I know God placed you in my path at the perfect time because he knew I was giving up on my dream of happily ever after. Then five days later those three little words came out of your mouth and you had my heart for always. We certainly have had our bumps but none of that matters now because we have our future to look forward to. The day you asked me to marry you has been the most important of my life. Well, that is until November 10, 2012. I cannot wait to be your wife! Your my sunshine in the morning when I don’t want to get up. Your my best friend and my partner. You are MY EVERYTHING. I love you!

Fifteen more minutes until 30! I am so blessed and happy to have my life. I have learned that not everyday is all rainbows and roses but through every rainstorm there are always blue clouds! Haha as long as it doesn’t include too many wrinkles I can’t wait to see what the next ten years has in store!

~ Hugs and Smiles ~ R!LEY COUTURE