Darling, only the good die young.

Dear Dad,

I’m not sure exactly why, but more often than not, I find myself thinking back to when life was perfect. I didn’t think it was perfect then, not by any means. You probably didn’t either. We had our battles, our problems, just like every family does. But I constantly keep thinking back to that time and wish to be there more than ever. I didn’t have bills, a job or college to figure out how to pay for (and graduate from). My biggest worry was whether or not I would get enough playing time in outside before the sun went down, before you and mom called us back inside. Undoubtedly, it was a much simpler time, but that much can be said about most people’s childhoods. Aside from the simple, carefree life I was living years ago, what I miss most about it is you.

And tomorrow’s just a mystery, oh yeah. But that’s okay.

Do you ever find yourself in a place in life where you just don’t know? About anything. And everything. You find yourself contemplating every single aspect of your life, torn between so many options. And you just can’t decide.

Well, if so – hello! I am right here with you.

IT’S A SMILE, IT’S A KISS. IT’S A SIP OF WINE, IT’S SUMMERTIME.

Pool days. BBQs. Tan lines. Cold beers. Road trips. Cut off shorts and overpriced bikinis. Rooftop jumps. Beach days. Ice cream cones. Sunshine. River trips. Messy hair. Country music. Dancing. Laughing.  Friends & family. Endless memories.

Even in the 100+ degree temperatures in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, summer is still my favorite season.

HOME IS WHEREVER I’M WITH YOU.

At this point in life, some people fall in love with a person, some people fall in love with a new career, and some people fall in love with a show on Netflix. But me?  I fell in love with a place. Okay, maybe I fell in love with a show on Netflix too. But that’s beside the point.

NOBODY LIKES YOU WHEN YOU’RE 23

I am very lucky to say that I’ve had the same close group of girlfriends for years now and as all of us are either 23 or quickly approaching it, I decided that I wanted to put together some little bits of wisdom to share with the rest of the 23 year olds out there. Truth is, this could probably apply to any 20-something year old, but Michael Jordan and Miley Cyrus made 23 such an intriguing number, why not roll with it.

LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Meet your comfort zone. This is your safety net, your “place,” where you always feel okay. It’s the things you do regularly, with the same people, the same food, the same experiences, the same actions, the same outcomes, the same feelings. Your comfort zone is a tricky, deceiving figment of your imagination. It knows all of your fears and insecurities and hides them away so you don’t have to deal with them. So you don’t have to face them. Your comfort zone will make you feel, well, comfortable – and that change isn’t necessary. If you ever stepped out of your comfort zone, what would happen?

SOME PEOPLE WANT TO FILL THE WORLD WITH SILLY LOVE SONGS AND WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT?

For some of us, the idea starts when we’re young and only continues to grow as we get older. We become enthralled by it, obsessed with it. We start out by daydreaming, doodling and writing in our diaries about it. We grow up and start to search for it in every relationship and situation we find ourselves in. Of course, we have life goals, dreams, aspirations – but this is the ultimate prize. Nothing would be more satisfying than finding this one thing. What is it? If you haven’t figured it out already, then this piece of writing may not be for you… it’s the perfect slice of pizza.

HOLD ON TO SPINNING AROUND, CONFETTI FALLS TO THE GROUD. MAY THESE MEMORIES BREAK OUR FALL.

As I reflect on this past year, I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or both at the same time. So much has happened over the last 12 months, I don’t even know where to start. New friends were made and old friends were reconnected with. Break-ups, make-ups, hook-ups. New houses and new jobs. Maybe a few too many drunken nights and definitely not enough sleep.

Well oh oh, oh I love her because she moves in her own way

Today is Friday. Congratulations, you made it through the work week (if that so applies to you).

A Friday night can go one of three different ways for a single, twenty-something year old, class act woman such as myself.

NOBODY SAID IT WAS EASY, IT’S SUCH A SHAME FOR US TO PART.

“Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard.”

How many people can say that their dad started a riot at a Doors concert? I didn’t think I could either until my sister dropped that beautiful knowledge bomb on me. My dad was that much of a bad ass.