Loved Ones

"Loved Ones", that can be a very specific term or a general one. Many people when hearing "Loved Ones" will think of family past and present and that is true, but when I think of that term or hear it, I start to think of other people who feel like family but they aren't. I know I am not the only one who has "Extended" family that aren't really family by blood. But I know that my life has been extraordinary because of these people. They have helped raise me, they have given me strength, they have given me love, they have made me feel like I belong. One of those people passed away this week and it broke my heart. It made me think of all the people who are not family that has treated me like I am that are still alive and who have passed away. I would like to remember some and to recognize some as well. * And just as a side note: I love all of my real family members as well and they have always treated me wonderfully too. I just wanted to give a shout out to those who are not my blood family, but yet they are still family.

Mary & Tom Mcafee
Mary worked with my mom and volunteered to help in my Kindergarten class since she had no children. Since then she has gone on field trips, class activities, plays, and trips. Tom her husband is wonderful as well. He didn't go to all the things Mary did but they both were at my Graduations and parties. They are like my Aunt and Uncle. I love seeing them when I am home. They make me feel loved and important all the time.

Grandpa & Grandma Angel & Crazy Tia Sallie
Really I should do two separate things for this family but I will combine them.  Sallie has been a part of my life since I was born. We have spent birthdays, holidays, religious events, and all sorts of stuff together. She always has a listening ear and lots of love. I love her spunk and her brightness. Her parents were always welcoming and we only knew them as Grandpa and Grandma. We loved swimming there. I still love going over there to swim and do Christmas Eve with Grandma.

The Cayassos & Ga-Ga
Now this is a fun family. Seal was always called my Dad's Work Wife, even though they were just friends. But her husband Kai is great too. Seal is so much fun. She is outgoing and she loves parties. Her daughter Tralena has always felt like a kid sister to me. Now Ga-Ga is one of my favorites. She was my black Grandma. She would actually go to Grandparents day with me and that me so happy. Once I got older I didn't see her very much anymore and I regret that but she will always hold a special place in my heart.

Jill & Doug & their Children
They are my parents friends but they feel like mine. Their kids babysat me and my brother and then I babysat some of their kids. We spend a lot of time with them. Doug taught me the basics of swing and the waltz and Jill is my travel buddy. Their family has always felt like our family.

Jim & Carolyn Elliott
Sister Elliott was one of my favorite people when I was a little girl. I insisted on her playing the piano for my baptism. I just thought she was awesome. Her husband is just as amazing as she. I always liked him when I was little but didn't have much to do with him, but he came more important in my life right when I needed it. I had a hard time going away to school. I lost people who I thought were my best friends but it ended up they were talking behind my back, I lost the person who I thought was the love of my life. I was miserable visiting home and going to church but all of a sudden I had a group of older gentleman who I referred to as my boyfriends. All were married but still they were mine. I would always give them hugs because they were just so sweet. Well from then on every time Jim saw me he would say "Hi Beautiful" or "There's my girl" or  "You keep getting prettier and prettier". I don't think he ever realized how much that meant to me. He gave me something to look forward to when I went home.

Some other people who I won't go into detail but they also were people I consider my loved ones: Aunt Betty and Uncle Bob Courtney, The Loveless/Longstreth family, The Turners, The Gordons & their Grandparents, the Logans, so many others from church, teachers. I have been blessed to have so many people in my life that have helped shape the person I am today. I love them all with all my heart even if its been years since I have seen them. I hope I too can be a "Loved One" in someone else's life like so many people have done for me. If anyone reads this and thinks oh no Melissa forgot me, I'm sorry. There are just so many of you and sometimes I am forgetful. But I love you all!

On my way to 27 Dresses

So I have always had a lot of friends. I love people, I love making friends, and I love all of my friends. With that being said, I have been asked to be in many a wedding. Sometimes the dresses have been less than stellar and some have been actually kind of pretty. I won't list which ones I didn't love and on another post I will post a picture of each one, but we will save that for later.
I know that being a flower girl doesn't count but I am going to count them anyways because I looked so stinking adorable at both of those weddings. :)
1. So the first wedding I was ever in was my old babysitter Char's wedding. I wore a dark green dress.
2. The next wedding was my cousin Shannon's wedding. The dress was an off white lace dress and it was one of my favorites. It also had a red rose on it.
3. Now this is my first bridesmaid experience. My friend Renning got married and we wore white blouses and canary yellow skirts.
4. Then came my friend Sarah's wedding and she just requested us to wear pink dresses, so my mom made mine.
5. Then it was Jessica Dawn's wedding and we wore brown dresses with brown tulle underneath.
6. My cousin Ashley was the next one married and we wore mint green dresses with pink ribbon sashes.
7. My old roommate Pam was next on the chopping block and we wore mint green dresses and white sweaters.
8. My friend Christine asked me to be a bridesmaid and we wore red dresses.
9. My friend Andrea asked me to be a bridesmaid too and we wore pink dresses from patterns she picked out.
10. My buddy May Chee is getting married in May and we are wearing either gray or navy blue dresses.
11. My Court bourt is getting married in October and we are wearing plum/purple dresses.

So two of them of haven't happened yet but they are coming up soon so I decided to add them and plus I already have one of the dresses.

I was talking with a friend about wearing these dresses and how some of them I haven't loved but its not really about how I feel about the dresses, its how I feel about these girls that I have been a part of their special days. These girls are/were some of my closest friends. I have loved being there for them. I am not planning on having official bridesmaids, which May Chee isn't either, but I think I might ask a few people to wear my wedding colors, that is if I ever do get married. Hopefully I didn't forget any one that has asked me to be a part of their special day but I think I got everyone. I will work on getting copies of pictures of all of these dresses to post. But it's always good to remember that it's not about how pretty or ugly your bridesmaid dress is, its about the memories you make with your friends on their special day.