A Few Good Men ;-)

Happy Valentine's Day, dear "framily" of blog readers!! =)

I know this is a holiday some couples dread, complaining about the hyped-up commercialism and unfair pressure it puts on them. And I understand it's also a hard day for a lot of singles who are feeling disappointed or frustrated or cynical about love. I sympathize, but somehow, I usually can't help celebrating it and feeling happy. =) Red and pink and hearts and flowers and cards and candy and stuffed teddy bears and romantic comedies and heart-shaped pizza and my February birthweek are all right up my alley... happy fun! I feel peace about being single right now, and I feel loved, and celebrating that is the point of this holiday anyway! 

I've been feeling very thankful for the men in my life lately... specifically for my wonderful Dad and Grandad, and for Chet Lee, Jeffrey Edward, Tall Kyle, and Evan! Dad and Grandad have been there for me all my life, both consistently loving, peaceful, dependable, and kind; and I am deeply grateful to God for them and their impact on my life! Still, after working divorce court for two years, quickly followed up by Josh's letter and Daniel's death all the heartache that came along with those losses, I really needed some Godly, trustworthy male friends. And God brought them, one by one, slowly building very solid friendships. So I am especially thankful today for my guy friends and their influence in my life -- for their love, Godly wisdom, strength, protectiveness, solid logic, kindness, support, loyalty, generosity, trustworthiness, and for ALL the joy and fun and lightheartedness and memorable quotes they bring to my life!!!   The four guys I mentioned have been getting together for pizza every Tuesday night for several years now, and seeing them be faithful in maintaining those friendships with each other has been awesome! :)

I am thankful for JEM cancelling other plans to be there for me, offering Godly advice and support on the night my closest friendship fell apart. I'm thankful that Chet was bold enough to call and confront me when I fell apart and lashed out via blog a few months later... and very thankful for the loving and tactful way he handled it, reminding me of the Christlike person he knows me to be, and genuinely "coming from concern." ;-) I am thankful for the times when Kyle stayed back with me when I fell behind because I was taking pics on our vacations, quietly making sure I didn't get lost or feel left behind. :)

...For the Vegas vacations, Florida fun, NYC madness, Big Cedar memories, and the many Sam n' Ella's road trips (with "cookie time in the park"). lol  For the awesome OneRepublic concerts and a few fun "Tea Times with the boys" at McAlister's! For all the good times -- weddings, game nights, bonfires, Impact classes and dinners, ringing in the New Year, running and/or cheering for the runners, celebrating birthdays and new jobs, and of course, movie nights! And for the hard times -- through depression, losing friendships, makeshift counseling sessions, hard decisions, friend-tervention carefrontations, etc. They are genuine friends who are always there to help with moves, painting houses, yard work, bug killing, garage remodels, etc. (even if they pour the paint right on the floor and/or paint themselves into a corner). ;-)

I've loved all the fun times, and I'm incredibly grateful that we've stood by each other in the less fun times. There are a million little memories and stories I cherish (most of them contained somewhere in this 9-year blog), and I know that God's work in my heart through these friendships is a big part of why I don't feel alone or upset or jaded or cynical here on my 32nd single Valentine's Day. I've had my moments with that in the past, but it's gotten much better over the years rather than worse, and I feel a debt of gratitude to these guys for that!! So thank you for being men of God and for being true, encouraging friends, Chet Lee, Jeffrey Edward, Tall Kyle, and Evan! :) And thanks to JEM and Chettles for reading this blog and caring about the little stuff in my life!  I so appreciate your friendship ...even enough to save you if you were suspended over a pit of snakes! ;-)

Here is a happy Flipagram in honor of my guy friends, to a Treblemakers song, because that just felt appropriate! lol

(DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE BY VIGO VIDEO APP!) =(

My work internet is crazy slow today, but I'll post the Galentine's pics and recap soon!  Happy Valentine's Day, and much love to all my family and friends!! =)