I flew to Virginia over the weekend to help one of my best friends plan her wedding. I’m in that “everyone I know is getting married” year (hers will be #5!)

The flight up was eventful. I sat in an aisle seat next to a couple. The woman was crocheting what looked like was going to be a beautiful scarf and the gentleman was reading some book with a numbered list of formulas (I love people watching). They were one of those “cute” older couples – you know, the ones where everything they do just makes you chuckle. She would yell at him for never letting her have the window seat – then they’d laugh and she’d give him a playful hit on the arm telling him he could always have the window seat. He would try to teach her about the formulas in his book, and she’d just wave her hand at him, clearly hinting she didn’t care. She kept dropping her crocheting direction sheet, then managed to find about 8 different ways to stuff it into the back of the seat pocket or attach it to the drop down tray (all of which failed miserably).

Then of course, the flight attendant came by to see what we wanted to drink. Sprite for me, black coffee for him, and she was inquiring about juices that didn’t have sugar. Apparently, as she told the flight attendant (rather loudly), she had cancer and couldn’t have it. I have to say, the flight attendant didn’t really seem to care or really want to go back and check to see if that orange juice had any sugar in it. But sure enough, she came back with apple juice for the woman – sugar free! The rest of the flight was quiet – I continued to read my newest “I can’t put this down” book, she crochet her scarf, then she spilled apple juice all over my jeans, and he read his book of formulas. Quiet I tell ya. :)

The trip itself was kind of a blur – from trying on dress after dress, to picking out centerpieces, and favors, I kind of felt like a robot – a maid of honor wedding robot. :) Exhaustion hit about mid-afternoon on Sunday, just in time for my relaxing flight back. I can honestly say I don’t ever remember flying at night. Then again, I can’t remember what I did last week, so who knows. I snagged a window seat, thanks to Southwest letting me check in the night before (A28!), and I was ready to watch the city lights as we lifted off when low and behold, guess who came trickling in after I had sat down?

You guessed right! That couple from my flight to Virginia!

They didn’t recognize me at first (he suggested sitting in my aisle and she was yelling at him that the window seat was taken, so clearly they were preoccupied haha). After some bickering (cute bickering, I might add), they sat next to me and it was like long lost friends had finally reunited! They got all settled in (he wouldn’t take my offer for the window seat), and we were chatting about our trips. Apparently they flew up for their son’s wedding! Go figure. What I thought was a scarf was actually an afghan for her daughter’s unborn baby, and she was almost done! Her “I <3 2 Cruise” shiny pin caught my eye this time - turns out they’re actually travel agents – Rick and Carol Haven from Crescent City! (Perfect for my upcoming trip to San Francisco, CA!)

And as the flight attendant came around again, I already knew what we were going to order: Sprite for me, black coffee for Rick, and an apple juice for Carol.

Funny how things happen, huh? There are tons of people to meet, conversations to have, and a reason for everything – good or bad. Now…whether or not you’re looking, listening, and OPEN to those people or conversations is up to you. You just never know!

Last week, reality slapped me in the face yet again. Five people were injured and one person died in a mass shooting in downtown Orlando, FL (where I live!) I know that this sort of thing happens everyday, everywhere…hell that shooting happened in Fort Hood just the day before. Children are kidnapped and killed, three young softball players drive into a pond and die in North Dakota.

Happens all the time.

But this time, it just hit closer to my heart.

Got me thinking about life and how much we really take things for granted. How we don’t take the time to tell people we love them – through actions or words. How we hold too many grudges and don’t forgive enough. How we don’t skip the gym enough for movie night with our friends. How we let an unreturned phone call or text lead to sadness and tears. How we don’t appreciate the amazing friends and family we have in our lives (regardless of how difficult they can be).

I’ve been reminded of this lesson a million and one times, whether it’s getting that phone call that your brother’s been in another accident, or your grandma has passed away, or that your friend’s heart keeps getting broken again and again by the same stupid guy. But you know what? You and I both are going to need to be reminded to not take life for granted (I’d rather be reminded by words than events!) over and over because unfortunately even when we’re reminded, we will always forget again.

So, all I really want you to take from this post today is to appreciate what you have, appreciate WHO you have, appreciate what people do for you, and don’t wait to do it.

Take your life to:
Love
Forgive
Smile
Hug
Give thanks
Leap
Dream
Achieve
Explore
Hope
Laugh til it hurts
Move on
Cry
Be adventurous
Take risks
Play
Appreciate today, for tomorrow’s not promised.

*Photo Credit

I went home this weekend for my brother’s wedding and there is always one thing I know I will find – CHAOS. It’s good chaos though – it’s fun, happy (usually), and definitely eventful. My Mom is probably making something delicious in the kitchen or blaring the Beatles (and dancing might I add), my Dad is messing with some new gadget, my nieces, nephew, and cousin are all playing the Wii or building a fort, my sister is probably off telling a story to my other siblings, and I find myself sitting on the floor, coloring.

Yep. Coloring.

It’s weird because when I’m coloring, I find that the noise of the world (aka my chaotic house) just disappears and all I really care about is if I want to color with Blush or Brick Red. Of course my 2 ½ yr old niece, coloring beside me, decides I should be coloring with the Red Orange marker and colors ALL OVER…I mean, colors with me.

It really does amaze me how things we used to do as a kid are just as fun as when we are adults but then I was wondering why in the heck don’t we still do it? Who cares if I’m 20-something and have a coloring book? I surely don’t. Target, get ready, because here I come for my coloring book and crayons!

What was one of your favorite things to do as a kid? Do you still take time for it now?