WG 10

When we moved to Colorado, almost 10 years ago now, I knew NO ONE! Well, besides Mark's family. But here I was a 21 year old girl, fresh out of college, and newly married, living away from home with NO friends! I was lonely, and clingy, and hoarding Mark to myself. He had had about enough of this strange girl I had become and decided it was time that I make some new friends. So he connected me with a group of girls, some of whom he knew from high school but hadn't talked to in years. And he told me I should be friends with them. I thought he was crazy, and that I would look needy. But they kindly invited me to see the Nutcracker with their Thursday night Women's Group, and I accepted their offer. And I am SO GLAD that I did! Because that one show turned into a Christmas pajama exchange, which turned into coffee, and Bible studies, and flower pen making, and cake baking, and walks, and mini golf, and weddings, and babies, and laughs, and deep conversations, and prayers, and tears, and life long friendship! 

Oh, how glad I am that I took a leap of faith in meeting with these sweet girls that night. I am so glad that Mark challenged me to do something new. I am so glad that this group of girls welcomed me in. And I am so glad that God orchestrated the lives of these 7 girls to come together to do life! 

Their group had started meeting 10 years ago this January. And we decided it was the perfect time to do some big time celebrating of this special group that we have! 

We booked a hotel downtown and went away for 24 hours of togetherness in Denver! 

I was so excited to have a little girl time! The boys weren't so sure about me leaving! Ha! But Mark is Super Daddy and I knew he could handle it! 

We met up Saturday afternoon and drove downtown together. 

We stayed at the Embassy Suites right by the Convention Center. 

This was the view from our hotel room. 

We checked in and then went to the Aveda Institute for spa treatments. Unfortunately, I had THE WORLD'S WORST manicure! I ended up getting it for free in the end! Ha! But it was still fun and the other girls really had a relaxing couple of hours being pampered! 

Then it was on to the hotel happy hour! 

Free wine and apps! Yes, please! 

We chatted and laughed for a couple of hours! 

Then we headed up to the room to get all dolled up for our night on the town! 

It was fun doing our hair and makeup together! It was like we were back in college! 

We walked a couple of blocks and took the bus down to Larimer. 

This city night sure was a long way from my usual take out, p.j.'s, and Netflix! 

We had dinner reservations at 9:00 p.m.! 9:00! I don't think I've gone out for dinner that late in a VERY long time! It was wonderful! 

Our whole group in front of Osteria Marco! 

{From Left to Right: Natalie, Jenn, Sarah, Rachel, Heather, and myself}

Sadly, Kim couldn't make it this weekend! We really missed her! 

This sketch was hanging in the restaurant, it really reminded me of my friend, Kerri! I used to LOVE pigs when I was growing up! Isn't that strange? But didn't most little girls have some animal they just LOVED! I took this picture and texted it to her because she always used to draw me pictures and pass them to me in notes! Remember notes? Do kids still write them, or do they just text!? 

Heather and I at dinner. 

We shared a yummy ricotta cheese appetizer, two delicious salads, and three unique pizzas. And we were stuffed. 

After dinner we hung out for awhile outside on Larimer and met and chatted with Natalie's new boyfriend and a random and intriguing bike taxi driver. 

It was lightly sprinkling, but it was simply divine to be carefree! 

 We stopped for an after midnight chocolate snack at Walgreens, walked back to our hotel, to put our comfys on, and stayed up until 1:30 or 2 chatting and answering questions like, "If you could be an Olympic athlete in any event, what would it be." 

And then we SLEPT! Oh, we slept! Uninterrupted sleep until almost 9 a.m.! No getting up in the middle of the night to take my 3 year old to the bathroom. No getting woken up at 5 a.m. to pop in the paci. Heaven! 

We had a wonderful complimentary breakfast at the hotel that morning. Omelets made to order, hash browns, bacon, sausage, bagels, muffins, pancakes- anything you could want! 

After breakfast we ended up chatting around the table for an hour or so until we were the last ones left in the restaurant. And it was perfect, that it US! I just love that we can talk for hours. That we can be open and vulnerable. That we share our challenges, struggles, insecurities. That we celebrate our joys and accomplishments. 

After breakfast we hugged goodbye and headed back to our families. I am so blessed to be a part of this group. And I look forward to seeing where the next 10 years bring us! 

P.S. My time away was wonderful, but when I got home, the hugs I received from 4 cute boys were equally as wonderful! They had a great time as bachelors- playdates, McDonalds, baths, Sonic and more! They lived it up! Mark is a fantastic daddy and handled it all amazingly! They had a ton of fun, but I could tell they were so happy to have me back home! That is the best feeling in the world!