8/15/11.....the news I have been waiting for

BIG NEWS!!!! My brother just got engaged!! I am so happy! I think his girlfriend is perfect for him, I've always loved her and I can't imagine him with anyone better. Now that he and I are both engaged, I am really excited to see how it all unfolds in 2012! Congratulations!! <3

Duluth bound!!

This past weekend we went up for a fun 2 night trip that Erik planned and booked for us at the Sheraton in Duluth, to celebrate our 7 year anniversary.

DAY 1: We arrived in Duluth around 4pm and checked into our hotel. What an awesome room! The bathroom was what I would desire in my own home, with these small french doors, what Erik described as "Ralph Lauren" style wallpaper, little octagon floor tile, and a huge glass shower!

Once we settled in, we ventured downstairs to the main lobby and out onto the street. We walked down to Pizza Luce to have a few happy hour drinks at their bar. Then we walked directly across the street to this really cool store called Electric Fetus. It's a hippie/record/incence/glass/jewelry type of place that I loved wandering around in. Erik bought me this super cutie hat that I can wear this fall!! I can't believe how much one can truly love an accessory, but I do!!

Next, we walked downtown into the streets of Canal Park, went in and out of a couple shops, hung out by this really unique fountain feature, and visited the Chocolate Factory of course - where I got some chocolate covered strawberries and Erik got a mint chocolate covered Oreo.

Cool water fountain feature downtown

The Chocolate Factory window of candy covered apples :)

We then wandered down by the banks of Lake Superior, walking out onto the well known pier to the lighthouse, and back. We also went along the docks to look at sailboats and other VERY large boats! :)

Later on for dinner, we ate at Timberlodge, which we were super excited about because it's one of our favorite places, but they have closed a few of their restaurants back home, so we can't go anymore. I tried a new interesting drink called a 1919 Bullfrog, which reminded me of a White Russian or Colorado Bulldog...man was it strong, but delicious!
We used the hotel shuttle mostly all weekend so we wouldn't have to keep retrieving our car in the parking ramp. They came to pick us up at Timberlodge, took us to Walgreens so we could grab a few things we'd forgot at home, then took us back to the hotel. We went to our room and changed and then came back down to the hotel lobby to sit in their comfy, formal lounge and sip on some drinks. It was pretty entertaining to "people watch" there for the rest of the evening!!

DAY 2: In the morning we showered and then went down to the hotel's 301 Restaurant to enjoy a really good & cheap breakfast! Then we took the hotel shuttle to see the recommended "Rose Gardens" that were in full bloom, and walked around there.

At the "Rose Gardens"

We made our own way back to the hotel after wandering around the park - and then got shuttled quickly back downtown to board the Vista Fleet for the 1pm two hour cruise. The weather couldn't have been any more perfect for a boat ride!!

On the Vista Fleet Cruise!

After we got picked back up by the shuttle when the cruise was over, we went back to the hotel and got our car from the parking ramp. We headed out to Spirit Mountain to ride their famous alpine coaster, the "Timber Twister". That was so so so fun!! The first time we went down, the people in front of us weren't going fast enough, so the coaster operators gave us a free pass to budge in line and go down again. This second time Erik didn't use any breaks and it was amazing!! I felt like I was going to fly off the track on some of those turns!! Being that Erik is such a "racing fan", it was no surprise that he actually laughed the entire time going down that hill. :)
We did wait in line for the new zip line that had just opened that month. But after over a half an hour and only moving a few feet in line, calculating that only 2 people could go at a time for a total of 48 seconds, and the line was 30 people long and maybe 4 people wide...we dropped out (along with many other people) and used our tickets to go back on the Timber Twister for a third and final time!! I would love to go on the zip line some day, but be warned... the wait doesn't seem worth it.

About to go down The Timber Twister!

Later that night, after we got back to the hotel and changed, Erik took me to this really posh lounge called the Black Water Restaurant. It was really unique, all the tables were low knee height, and each table had different leather and plush chairs, or larger round couches for seating.
Erik picked this place because I could eat sushi there, how thoughtful!! :)

Crunchy Roll, my personal favorite!

Godiva Chocolate Fondue, AMAZING!!!!

DAY 3: The last day. We slept in, got up and showered before check out at noon, then headed to Pizza Luce for lunch. I had the best breakfast pizza and fruit covered waffle EVER!! I literally ate everything, and downed 2 mimosas, while Erik didn't even finish his personal sausage pizza. :)

This was for sure one of the best weekends we've had together, LOVED IT!
Note: another awesome thing that happened was when Erik went to pay the hotel bill, they ended up taking off over $150 because we didn't get the "full on lake view" that Erik had asked for...WIN!

it's the people that show up for you that matter...

After Erik & I announced our Engagement, his 2 best friends were over at our house one night and offered to throw us an Engagement Party. I was a little taken back because we hadn't even thought of doing anything. Immediately I also had hesitations because of some serious family issues going on, and I didn't think certain family members of mine would even attend, but I told Erik's friends to let us think about it. 

A day or so later, we decided to just have a "friends only dinner". This way, we could have a fun, stress free evening and wouldn't have to worry about the "darker corners" of our lives.

They knew our wedding theme was all about nature and the outdoors, but I never expected it to be set up so beautifully. I was literally at a loss for words when we walked into the restaurant area we had reserved that night to see the table centerpieces, cupcakes, treats, and little plaques with sayings. I couldn't have set it up better myself. Erik's friends that were hosting also bought a round of appetizers for everyone, and we all just sat back to eat and talk for a couple hours.

I wanted to showcase pictures of "Erik's friends" because there's a deeper meaning to this particular blog entry.

In my mind, my friends and his friends would mix and mingle that night...but in fact, they stayed separate. That's ok though, I happily went from table to table, just thankful to those that had made it.

The difference is, I don't have one big tight knit "group" of friends that all grew up together. My friends are an eclectic group of past co-workers, high school, and college friends. And I haven't personally kept a *best friend* since I was in high school - back when girls were backstabbing, catty, mean, clicky, and gossipy. LOL, what's changed really? I'm damaged goods, I've hurt and have been hurt.
I guess the reason I don't give someone the title of a best friend anymore is because in my experience it's a lot of up-keep, like having a second boyfriend or something. I don't like to be smothered, I don't like answering to someone, and I have always hated those really big fights. :) I also give what I get, and I like to keep friendships very equal and fair. If you're close with me, you know I'm a HUGE advocate for "doing the right thing", and there's very few women that follow this motto.

But no really, I like my friends in different zip codes, I like them all different...and when they don't all know each other, it's almost gossip/drama free every time you get together!! I like to keep my friends at an arms length, but they know that I'm only a phone call away.
And is it just me that thinks you get a long better with certain people when you don't see them as often?????? Think what you will of me, but I'm perfectly happy this way.

Erik's group of friends either all grew up together, or have known each other for years and years. But when I met them, I never quite felt like I could give them my all because I knew I was an outsider, not an "original". When you're dating someone, they always feel like "his friends", not yours. And yeah, sometimes you feel left out if they reminisce of old times when they were all 16 years old. There's always been the hesitant, cautious feeling in the back of my mind not to get too attached, because I never knew what would happen with Erik and I, and if something did, these people would no longer be my friends. I mean, let's be serious, they were never mine to begin with, they were his.

But now that I am marrying into this group, I finally feel 100% apart of this dysfunctional family ;)
We ARE a family. I have known this group of people for 7 years and I am officially attached. The group expands and shrinks and changes, but if you have something important planned, they will be there. And it's the people that show up for you that matter.
Erik says QUOTE, "Life long friends lift you up, let you down, pass away, grow up and have kids, but at the end of the day they're still you're friends no matter what. We rise and fall as one. I can pick up the phone if I need help and they won't blink an eye. I've been friends with them for so long that I can't imagine anything separating us. It will be that way forever."