Kindergarten!

There are many moments in time I would love to relive, like being in Hawaii and eating pineapple ice cream for the first time, or going to Disneyland/world. There are also moments that I would hate to relive, like tearing my ACL, losing in soccer, or the loss of grandma. I've been blessed with a beautiful life and wonderful memories and I have no problem reminiscing on some of these glorified moments. So, I'm going to bring you back to a BIG day in the life of my 5 year old self.

The first day of kindergarten. Sounds silly, but it is the day I met my best friend. We sat across from each other on that first day and the rest is history. Her name was Brittany Barton (now Mrs. Johnson).

All sorts of emotions were running through my little body. I was nervous as all get out! Luckily I had a friend from pre-school who was in my class so I took comfort in him being there, but I didn't get to sit by him. We had assigned seating and luck (or God) would have us sitting directly across from each other. Britt was wearing this nice blue, little dress and I was wearing my favorite white cotton, rose patterned dress. I rocked the mushroom cut so I walked into kindergarten with confidence. Our teacher made us introduce ourselves to those around us. We grinned at each other with our toothless smiles and it was then I found my best friend.

I found out later that a 5th grader, friends with my older sister, told Brittany to keep an eye out for me, and I'm glad she did. I was definitely excited to have this new friend. We played hard together, got in trouble together, and best of all lived life together. Looking back now, I would never anticipate having her as a friend for so long. Recently my best friend married the man we've been praying for. I was fortunate enough to stand by her side as her maid of honor, 18 years later, and watch her enter into a God given marriage. I'm so thankful for that first day of kindergarten. God knew what he was doing and what I needed for the rest of my life even at the age of 5.

Kindergarten picture

18 years later

PS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


--Holly

Songs that take me back...

How about a little trip down memory lane? Lets go in chronological order...

Wide Open Spaces- The Dixie Chicks

This song will forever remind me of middle school, driving around Waco, Texas with my bests Erin and Bre and our mentor, Karen (the college youth group intern at the time). Karen taught us the best game ever, called "sing as loud and as terrible as you can with the windows down and make the people in the cars next to you highly uncomfortable." I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life. I may have even wet myself. But ultimately, this song takes me back to sweet innocence and living life with no responsibilities.

Blackmail. 7th grade.

Don't Wanna Miss a Thing- Aerosmith

Gettin' old school. Nick and I went to homecoming together sophomore year of high school. This song played and I remember being so nervous to slow dance. (I was 15, ok?). I'm sure he was too, but he broke the ice by belting the song to me and doing hand gestures. I'll never forget it.



Can you say....awkward?



Here in Your Arms- Hello Goodbye

The song Nick asked me to Senior Prom with. Cue the cheesiness. A balloon was delivered to my front door step, giving me his home address to drive to. A sign half way down the road telling me to park and walk toward the driveway. As I got to the end of it, a sign illuminated on the garage door saying. "PROM?", that song started playing, and my high school football star came around the corner in his letterman's jacket with a bouquet of flowers. Awwww....



Couldnt find a picture with my date....also whyyy did I wear white?



We Found Love- Rihanna



Although I can't really stand this song anymore, anytime I hear it I am instantly transported back to the last downhill stretch of the 2011 Denver Rock n' Roll half-marathon, knowing I was going to have my fastest race ever and it motivated me to break into a full-on sprint finish. Thanks to my girls Mekenzie and Erin for giving me the song the night before! (Had to throw a fitness one in there:))



My girls

 Then-Brad Paisley


More cheesiness, I am terribly sorry. Short story: the song Nick proposed to and then became our first dance song at our wedding. Enough said.

The night we got engaged



Our First Dance



And that's all I've got right now...click on any of the song title for a little throwback!

~Lauren