Music City And A String Of Goodbyes

The past week was one of the best of my life. It was packed full of good times and I'll treasure the memories made forever. Saying goodbye to family and friends was very bittersweet. The adventure ahead will be amazing, but I'm sad to leave loved ones behind. Guess this means a trip to Hawaii is in the near future for many of you!

My week started out with a trip to Nashville. What better place to spend the 4th of July?! It was my first time in Music City and let me tell you...it won't be my last. I LOVED IT. Big city fun with a small town feel. I got to spend time with some amazing people and I'm so thankful for that. I got a private tour of Music Row, stood on the legendary steps of the Ryman Auditorium, got kissed on the cheek by Naomi Judd, watched Grammy award winner Keb Mo belt out America the Beautiful at a private party and I watched the amazing downtown fireworks show while listening to Darius Rucker play a free concert. First trip to Nashville? SUCCESS. Thanks to all who made that happen. You know who you are :)

Standing on these steps was...overwhelming. It was like touching a piece of country music history. To think performers like Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline have walked these very steps is pretty amazing.

Awww...this is my cousin Bart and me. Believe it or not, it was our first time meeting. He's a riot, folks. SO MUCH FUN. He's in the music business and had the hook up to the private July 4th party that led to me running into the Judds.


Stephanie is one of the sweetest and most genuine people I have ever met. We've known each other since we were about 5...she and her hubby are living in Nashville now and luckily she was able to grab lunch one day. So great to see her and catch up!


After Nashville, I headed back to Texas for days of driving and visiting friends and family. I'm so thankful I had the time off in order to do this. I have no idea when I'll be back in Texas, so I wanted to see as many people as I possibly could. If I missed you, I'm sorry. I tried my best to plan my days in different cities so I could see all of you, but it was next to impossible to travel everywhere. I spent time in Austin, San Antonio and College Station...and to those of you who made the effort to see me, I love you and appreciate you for it!

Sweet cousin Krystan and her adorable lab, Duke. Krystan recently had surgery and was discharged from the hospital just a couple hours before this picture was taken. She was such a trooper to visit with me even though I'm sure she was exhausted. I love you, Krystan!

Oh my goodness. I can't rave enough about Lindsey. She and I were best friends in high school but lost touch for a long time. She came to my Aunt's house in Austin after work one day and kicked my butt playing washers. It was so great to catch up with her and I only wish we had more hours together. True friends can go years without talking but the moment they come together again, it's as if they were never apart. This girl is one of those friends and always will be.

STACY!!! OMG. She is one of my very best friends and I love her seriously to pieces. We have grown close over the past several months after reconnecting in November. She is the sweetest thing. After a long day at work, she had me over and cooked a TO DIE FOR dinner. I only wish I had that talent. It was awesome to sit in her home and relax with a glass...or two (maybe 3?) of wine with one of the most amazing people on earth.

I then made my way to College Station...somewhere I haven't been in about 10 years, but clearly I've missed out on a lot! It was a ton of fun. A mini high school reunion pretty much! To all who came out to say bon voyage, I truly love you for it. It meant the world to me to see all of you and make some memories.

Oh...Julie. I cannot possibly express through words how much she means to me. Friends since 4th grade. Ex pen-pals. One of the most beautiful and amazing moms to ever walk the face of the earth. She has been there for me through many hardships...whether she's a listening ear or giving me her honest opinion, she never compromises her beliefs and will always be someone I look up to and strive to be more like.

What a fun group of boys. We had a blast. Probably too much fun, actually...if that's even possible. That's my brother Mitch on the left and Nick, Aaron and Justin are all friends from high school. OH WHAT A NIGHT.

Kyle is one of a kind. I asked him if my shoes matched my dress and I don't think I'll EVER live that one down. If you ever need a laugh, find him. He won't disappoint. And if you ever want breakfast burritos thrown at you at 8am after a night of partying...again, he won't disappoint.

I love this picture. Aaron is seriously one of the most special men I've ever met. He makes me laugh and is probably one of the only people who can make fun of me without getting me riled up. He's genuine and endearing and the hardest working person I know. We also have a contract he better not ever violate. HAHA :)

Justin. There are no words. I'm so sad we lost touch for so long but I'm so excited we got to hang out. This guy has a way of making any woman feel like a queen. His personality is one of a kind and I love him for being himself and not caring what others think. I also love his cowboy boots...I'm thinking I need a pair to take to Hawaii!!

Mandy...my twin. I am so so so so so thankful I got to see her. She is beautiful inside and out and has overcome some of the most difficult hardships life could ever present. We ran track together for years and I'm sure she could still leave me in the dust. From the time we were in middle school, teachers and coaches would always get us confused. I'm fine with that...confuse me with someone this beautiful and I might not even correct your mistake!

Nick...what can I say? I think we have a connection that's hard to describe. There's no one like you and no one will ever be able to make me laugh the way you do. I still have the senior picture you gave me and trust me, I'll keep it forever. By the way, free hugs are a given for you!

Even though this picture doesn't have everyone in it, I think it possesses the feeling we all had that night. Lots of laughter and lots of great memories made!

I'll never forget this past week. I feel so incredibly blessed and I'm actually tearing up at this very moment thinking about all of you that I got to spend precious moments with. Many of you expressed your wishes to come to Hawaii for a visit...my hope is you actually will. I'd love that. And in honor of my soon-to-be home state, I'll leave you with this...

A hui hou kakou...

Go ahead. Google it. :)