We have three types of friends in a life: friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for a lifetime. Some of those friends teach us great life lessons. They show us what we want and need in a friendship. They can also show us exactly what we don’t want or need.

It’s probably safe to say we have all experienced all three of those at some point in our lives. Some can have us scratching our heads and wondering why that even happened. You know what I’m talking about. The friends that have come in and out of your life so quickly you’re sitting there asking yourself why?? You’ve built trust with the person and enjoyed their company and then one day it all just stops. There’s no explanation, no goodbye- no reason. It just fizzles out. You’re sometimes left feeling hurt, lost, confused and taken advantage of. That’s a hard pill to swallow sometimes. There might not ever be any closure. Sometimes when a friendship just stops it can feel like you’ve broken up with a person. In some ways you have. You’re left with the just the memories of what once was. You go through all the same stages of a break up- hurt, confusion, anger and eventually peace. It’s hard but sometimes we need to learn to not take anything personally. Most the time people are just projecting their own reality onto others. As they say when one door closes another one soon opens.

You’re not always going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Hey- that’s okay I really don’t like tea myself. Haters are gonna hate regardless of what you do or say. I have a whole “fan club” of those so-called haters! Hey there- hey!!!! Did it used to bother me- yes! Did it used to drive me crazy- yes! Do I give a shit now- nope! Life is too short especially for nonsense. It serves nobody any good to waste one’s energy on people that just don’t understand you. It’s taken MANY years and LOTS of tears and frustration to learn and understand that lesson. Sometimes one might still have moments where it does bother them and that’s okay. We’re only human. Just don’t take up residence in that space for too long. Have your pity party and then move on!

When we do find and have those lifetime friends- they are the true gems. They are rare and definitely hard to come by. If we can have one true blue friend in our lifetime we are lucky! Those friends are the real MVP’s. They show up and stay in your life through it all. They see the true you and still choose to continue to stay. They see your true beauty even when that nasty side of ourselves rears it’s ugly head. They have our backs like no other. They’re the type of friend where you could call on them day or night and know they would be there in heartbeat!

They are the friends where you could be doing nothing at all with except just being in one another’s presence and that’s all that is needed. They are the ones that have you laughing so hard you have most definitely peed your pants! You’re laughing so hard you can’t even breathe! You have your own language and inside jokes to last a lifetime. You can have an entire conversation with just an exchange of looks between one another and you’ll know EXACTLY what the other is thinking! Time and distance do not matter with these group of friends. You can go days, weeks and sometimes even months without talking to one another. Then when you get the chance to catch up it’s as if not time has lapsed at all. Those are your TRUE friends. They stick it out with you in the rough patches and dry spells that all friends go through. They understand life happens, there are other obligations and directions keep you in different places at the time. None of that matters because at the end of the day you know that person loves and cares about you no matter what.

It’s important to focus on the people that love you- flaws and all! They see your unique qualities and love you unconditionally. You’re a BADASS- don’t forget that! Remember friends “seas” the moment!

~XO

Michele

Motherhood is exhilarating and exhausting all at once. Some days it feels like you’re herding cats and nobody knows what’s going on! Do you ever catch yourself looking around and thinking what the actual hell is this all about? Your kid or kids will do or say something and you’re thinking did that really just happen? They can definitely have you questioning your life choices at times that’s for damn sure! Then on the swing side of that there are days where it’s like smooth sailing and it feels almost picture perfect. You feel like you’ve got this! Ha- parenthood isn’t that hard! You’ll have those days where EVERYONE gets to school and work on time. They’ll come home from school full of excitement and talking a million miles a minute because they’ve had such an awesome day. You’re like YES! We LIVE for those “good” days because they can sometimes be few and far in between at times. No matter what stage of life they might be at. Some days the STRUGGLE.IS.REAL!

Being a parent to a teenage daughter myself now I have a whole new appreciation for my parents. Damn Mom and Dad I’m so sorry! I BOW DOWN TO YOU! These teenage years are NO JOKE and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. They can wear you down to your bear bones. Who knew they could go from being a sweet little angel that ever walked this earth to a possessed demon all in the matter of seconds?! We’ve learned to approach with caution because we never know what we’re about to encounter or walk into.

With today being Mother’s Day I wanted to take the time to recognize ALL the mamas out there and any figures that are taking on the “Mom” role. Give yourselves a pat on the back because you most certainly deserve it. We’re all just doing the best we can. Wine helps sometimes too- at times more than we care to admit-haha! All we can do is love and support one another. It’s true when they say it takes a village. Especially now we all need to be looking out for one another and building each other up. Our kiddos will notice that and hopefully pay it forward as they step out into this great big world.

I can’t let the day go by without letting my Mom know how much she’s loved and means to me. She’s been my biggest cheerleader and supporter. She’s believed in me when I didn’t have the courage to believe in myself. She knew my strengths before I did and has always pushed for me to follow my dreams. Thank you Mom! I’m lucky to also have a mother-in-law who is loving and accepting. Thank you for loving me as if I’m one of your own.

Last but not least my daughter. She’s the reason I smile. She’s the reason I live each day to the fullest. She’s the reason I look for the silver lining. She’s the reason my heart bursts with pride. She’s the reason for so many things. She’s taught me it’s okay to not be perfect. She’s taught me love unconditionally and without hesitation. It’s because of her I get to be called Mom. The hardest and most rewarding title I’ve ever had.

Cheers to all us mamas out here trying to make it work. We’re taking things on day by day. Careers, households, bills- life. We’re giving it our all and putting our whole selves into it. Remember friends “seas” the moment.

~XO,

Michele

All through life I feel like we leave little pieces of ourselves along the way. Sometimes on our journey we feel lost, scared and without a real purpose. I’ve been there MANY times myself and honestly feel in that state now. Sometimes the paths we choose to walk down are dark, lonely and scary. Other times we can feel like we are in a state of euphoria! We feel as though we can tackle the world and there isn’t anything or anyone that could possibly stop us. Each of us are constantly being challenged to face our innermost thoughts and feelings. We all hope and want to achieve that time in our lives where we can feel completely at peace, have pure joy, happiness and hope.

We’re in a CONSTANT state of trying to figure out our place in this world. It starts in our childhood when we are learning the simplest of things from walking, talking and learning to play well with others (some never seem to have achieved that milestone). We even as kids want to make those around us happy- we want to please others. Then as we navigate through those tricky teenage years where we have all those darn hormones pumping through our bodies and we don’t know up from down! As we get into our adulthood we go through phases where we are trying to find the perfect balance between being a responsible adult and still wanting to have fun. In that process we start to lose ourselves.

My point is simple as we move through life we leave pieces of ourselves behind. Sometimes we are leaving parts of us behind that are so dark and damaged. Sometimes we leave pieces that are the best of us. All those pieces being left behind can sometimes start to make us feel lost or completely broken.

The thing is- that’s totally okay. Saying this again for those in the back- THAT’S TOTALLY OKAY! We are allowed to re-invent ourselves. We don’t have to stay stuck or become compliant or stay mediocre. The past sometimes need to be left the hell behind! It serves us no more and we can let it the hell go!

We sometimes need that push to take the time to only focus on ourselves. That’s not being selfish that’s called regaining your sanity. We sometimes need to be alone in our thoughts and escape the world for bit. It’s during our alone time that the best is yet to come. We can rise up stronger, bolder and more confident- all things I struggle with on a daily basis. We can pick up our broken pieces and become something so much better, unique and truly remarkable.

That’s when we become UNSTOPPABLE!

Remember my friends “seas” the moment.

~XO,

Michele