"Come home to KD..."

7 years ago this coming wkd. 7 years ago I did something that changed my life and continues to change it every single day.  7 years ago I entered a circle of love, friendship, kindness, and hope.  7 years ago I met people that I still to do this day don't understand how I went 18 years without knowing.  7 years ago I was given the chance to join the greatest sorority..Kappa Delta :)  That day seems like yesterday, though sometimes it seems like a million years ago.  I still remember what I was wearing and omg what in the world was i wearing! haha.  I still remember running wait falling down the steps to meet girls that would change my life.  Thankfully Callie Beth was there to catch me...it was already happening, a sister there to catch me when I fall :) 

A day that changes you more than you will ever know...

This past Sunday I was reminded yet again of how special Kappa Delta is and how much I miss being an active member every day.  Alumni Tea is always so exciting and pure happiness, but for some reason this occasion was extra special.  (I have a feeling it will become even more special as the years go on)  It's so amazing to me..So amazing that I can not see some of these girls for a year or so, and we just start talking as if we had never been apart..That to me is pure Sisterhood.  It was so joyful to talk to girls and see what they are doing in their "life after KD."  Some had moved to other states, pursed jobs, gotten married, had kids, and some were even preparing for little ones! :) KD was home to me for my 4 okay maybe 5 years of college and it's so hard when you have to say "goodbye" to what has been your everything.  Hard to say goodbye to the girls that you would see every single day.  The girls that would not care how you looked after a night out ;)  The girls that would stand up for you when needed.  The girls that would be your family when your's lived in another towns/state.  The girls that would complete you. But it somewhat helps to know that I can call these girls up at any minute and I know they would be there for me if I needed something and vice versa.  It helps that we have Alumni Tea and Homecoming to look forward to, a time to act like college kids :)  It warms my heart to see the active members of the Chapter and to see that it's still somewhat the same.  The girls are still welcoming, beautiful, hilarious, and different.  They are different in the aspect that there are no two girls that are exactly alike.  Each girl brings a special trait to KD, and that's something that has always been evident in KD.  It's what makes us one of a kind!  

The BEES at our last rush....

I have been given the privilege to serve on the advisory board for KD here at WKU, and though it's only been a year since i joined, I can honestly say it's one of the most rewarding thing I have done.  To be a mentor, a confident, and friend, and most importantly a sister to these girls is so overwhelming (but in a good way ha)  To see these girls grow and mature into the young ladies they are is one of the main reasons I do this.  I get to see how KD changes the girls, and how the girls change KD.  I see girls take on leadership roles that they never thought possible, dance on stage during Spring Sing when they thought they were in no way a dancer, sing a song that brings tears to my eyes at Preference and yet they are so humble that no one even knows they sing, hear stories of how KD has made them discover whom they are, and most importantly I see girls forming friendship/sisterhood with others that I did 7 years ago.  I found my best friends there.  I found the girls that get me.  I found the girls that make me laugh until i cry or cry until i laugh.  I found the girls that will stand by me on my wedding day.  I found the girls that will be "Aunts" when that day comes.  I have found girls that are apart of my soul and will forever be there.  

Little and Big and sweet little AB :)  

I could go on and on about KD and how much it means to me, but if you know me you already know that I hold KD dear to my heart.  I am so thankful for this past Sunday, so very thankful.  I was able to experience Pref and cry with the best girl friends a girl could ask for.  I was able to witness how some of these ladies have grown into the most amazing mom's in this world.  I was able to see my Biggie and her precious belly :) The glow on her face was one that is only visible on a soon-to-be mom.  To say i'm excited for her and Chance is such an understatement.  My heart is overflowing with joy and love for her and her soon to be family of 3!  I give thanks to Kappa Delta for bringing us together!  I give thanks to Kappa Delta for bringing everyone to KD and for allowing me the chance to be apart of such a family.  We are a family and we always will be.  We will continue to grow, cry, laugh, cheer, scream, love, and cry some more together.  To the girls this week during rush....Soak it all up..Do not take those long days/nights for granted because believe me you will yearn for them when they are gone.  You're active KD time may only be for 3-4 years, but always remember that you are a Kappa Delta forever and always.  Rush week is a time to strengthen your bond with your sisters, and to also open your heart to the girls who are about to join the best sorority on the planet.  There is no doubt in my mind that each and everyone of you will shine a light on our sorority that will be impossible to shield from.  Soak it up ladies and lastly, always remember to "..Strive for that which is Honorable, Beautiful, and Highest"  

To all my girls, 

AOT always :)

365 Days of Pure Happiness....

365 days ago a young man walked up to my doorstep.  He was wearing a yellow shirt and jeans, and I was wearing jean shorts and my blue KD shamrock shootout shirt.  Little did I know at the time that that day would change my life.  My life would never be the same, and I couldn't imagine my life any different.  April 24, 2011 is a day that will forever mark the day that I began a journey with someone who has made my life something I thought could only be found in the movies or in a dream.  And maybe i'm living a dream, but who says you can't :)


It had been the week before Easter.  Tuesday and Thursday's had been our step kick days for as long as I can remember, but this particular Thursday Hannah decided not to join (and maybe it's a good thing she didn't..lol)  The guy, whom we had noticed bc the class is usually ALLLLL girls and he was of course was nice to look at, approached me after class which took me off guard.  He had been coming to the class since the Fall and Hannah and I had always been the one to approach him.  I thought maybe he had a girlfriend or just didn't want to talk to me ;)  BUT this particular Thursday he did.  We joke that it's because Hannah wasn't there hehe..  We talked small talk, and then he told me about him going to Keenland with all his friends from back home.  I had mentioned that some of my friends were going too and he made the statement that I should go.  Deep down I really wish I could have, but with it being Easter wkd I was going home to see the fam.  Again small talk happened and then it was "See ya later."  I think right then and there I knew that if we ever got together it would be something special.  Later that night I went out to eat with some friends for Mexican (Diane and Tara) and on the way home while checking the book, yes I was Facebooking and driving tsk tsk on me, I saw that I had a friend request from 'Andrew Schuler.'  I was then attacked, but in a good way, by butterflies that I had never felt before.  I was so excited that I called Hannah to tell her!  I was acting like a little girl in middle school again and it was the best feeling.  I held back and didn't "accept" the request just so it didn't seem like I was on Facebook 24/7 hehe :)  But eventually i said yes :)  I then wrote on his wall " I almost ignored your request considering your behavior tonight..just prepare for the retaliation that will happen.."  (that night at kickboxing he had made fun of me, so i of course would get him back..eventually)  That little post led to 30 comments that when looking back on them, I can't help but laugh at them and also notice we were starting something special.
That Friday I drove home and met The Abbotts aka other family and my family in the boro for dinner.  On the way home I showed my sister Andrew's profile and she went through all his pictures to "stalk"  She kept saying he's cute and I was completely agreeing.  We made small talk about him and I remember not being able to stop those butterflies.  I just couldn't help but think that I wanted to hang out with him, talk to him, get to know him better, and of course see if the feelings that I was developing after a weekend of Facebooking were the real deal.  I had always jumped ahead of myself when it came to relationships, and for once in my life I wanted to just see how it would go, naturally.  So after talking through messages all weekend he finally asked for my number..I was so giddy.  I had not been in a relationship for awhile and never had I been in one where I was feeling those happy, giddy, butterfly feelings so soon.  We talked through texts and we finally decided that we would hang out that night.  I had made the comment that I needed help unloading all my stuff I had taken home, and he of course offered to help :)  (which he didn't when he came over but who cares..ha)  On my way back to Bowling Green I could not stop thinking about him.  I was nervous, excited, happy, scared, worried, and eager to see how it would go.  I had somewhat known him since the fall through kickboxing class, but this would be the first time we would actually "hang out".  (Gosh even while writing this blog I can't stop smiling, because those feelings are still there and stronger than ever)


I will never forget seeing him walk up to my door.  I remember what he was wearing, I remember what I was wearing, and even what my hair style was for the evening.  Thinking back on it I looked like a mess, but I guess it worked :)  That Sunday night we talked about anything and everything.  I felt like I had known him forever, and could tell him everything about life.  He was sweet, happy, caring, had the best smile and laugh, and brought this calmness over me that I had never experienced.  From that day on we were never apart.  Everyday was a new day/journey for us, and we didn't miss a beat.  You know those relationships where you have to have "the talk" or the guys has to "ask you out" to make it official, well that didn't happen for us.  It was just an unspoken rule that we were only seeing each other.  I didn't need a title or facebook to say that we were together, because in my heart I knew.  I knew I didn't want to see anyone else, and I knew that he was the one I wanted to share my life's journey with. 


 I think I began falling in Love with Andrew immediately, though it took sometime to say, but the love def started falling right off the bat.  He brought out the best in me.  He made me want to be a better person, to enjoy life, to laugh and smile, to not sweat the small stuff, to embrace life and make the most of it.  He made me "ME".  We have had our ups and downs, but what relationship doesn't.  Those times have helped us learn about each other, to grow together, and it has made me love him even more.  Today marks a year that he first made that walk up to my house.  A year that has changed my life.  A year that seems to good to be true.  A year that has made me cry with happiness.  A year of pure love.  It has felt like I've been with him for eternity, but then it feels like i've been with him for only day.  Everyday is new and presents itself with moments to share and enjoy.  Our lives together can only grow from here, and I can't wait to experience every day with him.  He is the one, the love of my life.  Happiness is something I always dreamed about, always wished for, always longed for.  Andrew has brought that to my life and there will never be any words that I can express to him to say thank you, but I will try everyday to thank him and show him how much he means to me.


 I Love you Andrew Schuler and I thank you for giving me 365 days of pure love and happiness.  I can't wait for all the days to come and to enjoy them with you.  I Love you with all my heart.  Happy One Year :)    


"...You're my passion, you're my home...You're the hope that I hang on to...You're the wheels that keep us going through it all...You're the second wind I always catch.. When I got not breath left in me...You're my life" 
   

UK vs WKU

So it has already started, the hateful messages, the rants, the "don't you dare wear blue tomorrow" statuses and posts.  For those who don't live in Kentucky and who don't have a tv I will fill you in on what will be a great day in the Bluegrass State.  Western Kentucky had one of the greatest comebacks in NCAA tourny history that has propelled them to meet the #1 seed Kentucky in Louisville for round 2 tomorrow.  Though I did not watch the game, after seeing highlights and hearing people talk about it I must say I am very proud of the Hilltoppers.  The program has not had one of the best seasons, but boy did they finish the season strong.  For the players I know it is something they will cherish forever, as well as for the fans and the school.  It has been a trying year to say the least for the team, and it is so amazing the resilience they have shown surrounding everything that has happened.  Now, I guess I will join those who have something to say about the game tomorrow.  I debated saying anything at all, because lets face it, people are just plain mean and it seems that if they don't agree with what you are saying they turn bitchy rude, arrogant, disgusting, hateful, and seem to forget that we do have an Amendment that circles around "Freedom of Speech."  I let you have yours, so you let me have mine...Deal :)


For those who know me, I am all about my Kentucky Wildcats.  I was def one of those who was "born blue."  When I think back on my childhood I am flooded with so many memories of UK.  Listening to the announcers on the radio, since we didn't have cable, watching my Dad go CRAZY when the games were close, sharing a basketball passion with my Dad, wearing UK stuff everywhere, and feeling a sense of pride when people ask me who I'm a fan of...and I say "UK"....duh ;)  It was never forced on me to cheer for UK, though I bet my Dad wouldn't have liked it very much hehe, but i CHOOSE to cheer for them.  The tradition was amazing, the overwhelming support they received from fans was astounding, and UK basketball is just something so special.  I will forever be a Wildcat!


This leads me to explain to people who state "Well if you love UK so much why didn't you go to school there?" And here is my response...I was accepted to both WKU and UK.  And was actually accepted to UK first, but after visiting the SCHOOL, not the athletics, I decided that I was better fit for WKU.  The campus was small and intimate, but still big enough that it didn't feel like high school.  It was only an hour and 15 mins from home instead of 3 hours, and I most importantly I wanted to be a student not a number.  It was definitely  hard to not go to a school that held my passion since I was born, but like I said I wasn't going to school to just attend basketball games, I was going to school to earn a degree to propel me into my adult life.  People have so many discussions about athletics and college that they seem to forget that it's an INSTITUTION.  An institution that has given me a great degree, and job I love, amazing college memories, the best friends I could have ever asked for, and led me to meet the man of my dreams.  BUT does that mean that I HAVE to cheer for them in every single sporting event..I think not.  Is it the 1920's where I'm endowed to them..I think not.   I thought we were in the year 2012 and I could cheer for whoever I want.  I love how I see so many statuses bashing people for cheering against WKU and cheering for UK, when I know if it was their favorite team such as Louisville, UNC, Tennessee, or Indiana they would be doing the same thing.  You would think being a UK fan in the state of Kentucky would be easy, but boy is that wrong.  Why can't people just accept that there are people who live in KENTUCKY who love to cheer for KENTUCKY.  I don't bash people for cheering for Louisville or Murray or WKU, so don't bash me for cheering for my team.   


Sooooo, tomorrow I will be wishing the Hilltoppers all the best, but I will be cheering for the boys in Blue.  If you don't like it, fine.  I understand and hopefully you will understand my reasoning.  We must all remember it's just a game, it's just basketball, it's just another day in our lives.  There are def more important things to rant about, not a college basketball game.  Don't let this game take over you, or turn you  into someone you aren't; into a person who slams someone because of a team they root for for 2 hours.  Let us all be excited that basketball in Kentucky is back and better than ever.  Let us cheer for our state and how amazing it truly is.  Let us all try to come together to enjoy a sport that is so special, a sport that makes the month of March "MAD" :)

 Andrew and I at Big Blue Madness 2011-a night that brings all the crazy fans of Big Blue Nation together :)

  Sarah and I cheering on the CATS during the Final Four of 2011

New Chapters...

A lot of excitement and changes are occurring in my life right now; especially this week so I of course want to blog about this so that I may always remember this time.  Today I am embarking on a journey that I am over the moon about.  Andrew and I are moving in together :)  Now, I know there are some naysayers and people who don't believe in moving in together before marriage, and I must say I slightly agree with you.  BUT I also believe that you should live with someone before you take that next step; you learn a lot about someone and as well as yourself when living together. I also feel that I don't want to spend one day/night away from him.  I love waking up to him, falling asleep to him, coming home to him, so why would I want to stop that?  I don't want us to miss a minute of our lives together :) Soo we are now starting a new chapter in our lives....a chapter that will deepen our relationship...a chapter that we will always remember...a chapter that will probably test our limits..ha...and a chapter that is filled with love, so much love. :)

This week also brings about a new chapter for me personally, and one that I haven't quite decided if I'm excited about..the chapter that means I have lived half a century..My 25th Birthday!!! For those who know me, I LOVE my birthday.  I always celebrate it, I always embrace it, and I am always excited about it.  Don't get me wrong I'm excited about this one, because it means that i'm still alive and kicking!  BUT it also makes me think; have I done what all I said i would do before 25?  Am i where i thought i would be?  The answer to those questions is I'm not sure. Maybe I thought i would be living on the beach, living out west, working I have no idea where, and still single..But I must say that where i am now is exactly where i want to be.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.  I have an amazing family, great friends, great job and co workers, and a boy that i fall in love with over and over again every single day.  I am happy with my life and where i am. :)  I'm excited for the next 25 and all the adventures God has planned for me, because if it is anything like my last 25, I will be one blessed young woman.  

The last event taking place during this crazy week is my second marathon in New Orleans this upcoming weekend!  I haven't really had time to think that WOW i'm actually running a marathon this weekend, but i'm thinking thats a good thing haha...I will be running for, hopefully, under 4 hours...I will not be partying on my 25th/major/half a century birthday...I will be spending time with my mom and Andrew and checking off another state on my "run a race in every state" list :) I will be running a MARATHON...Running a marathon is something I had always dreamed of doing, but never thought possible.  But after I ran my first one last April i was hooked.  I love the adrenaline, the pain, the moments of just running, the time to yourself, the cheering of the crowd, and the feeling of accomplishment afterwards.  I am sure that this race in New Orleans will be nothing but exciting and will be yet another adventure in my awesome life.

So as I prepare for the big move, the big birthday, and the big race, I will constantly thank God for giving me these moments to prepare for in life.  He has granted me all these things and i know that he can take them away in an instance, so I will always thank Him for this amazing life he has given me.  Let us all be thankful; thankful for a life of love, family, friends, and life.

.God Bless.

Day of Love..

Wow it's been too long since I last blogged.  Looks like i'm slipping a little on my resolution, but I believe I can still achieve it :)  Considering its the 14th of February, and you probably haven't read enough statuses about "Love", I will give you one more thing to read hehe.  So I must admit that I used to be one of those who dreaded Valentine's Day.  I dreaded the statuses, the pictures, the flowers, the candy, the cards, and the constant reminder that I was single.  I of course wasn't deprived of love because I had friends and family who loved me and was so thankful for them on this day., but if you are single you long to have a significant other to share this day with.  Well this year I can say that I do have someone to share it with.  I get to share it with the love of my life.  The man who makes me happier than I ever thought I could possibly be.  The man who has me thanking God each and everyday for placing him in my life.  He has shown me what true love is and I will never be able to repay him for that.  With this being our first Valentine's Day together I of course thought we should do something big.  But after thinking about it and talking with him we "promised" not to get each other anything, which if he goes back on that word he is in trouble :)  We are just going to cook dinner and spend time together with each other and of course with our newest little puppy Macy!  I told him that today is just a day, a day that the card/chocolate/flower companies make millions of dollars.  The day that restaurants are packed with people, movie theaters are filled with singles watching slasher movies, and a day that can be so terrible to those who used to be like me, single and looking for love.  Love is not just a one day thing, and I can definitely preach to that.  I have and will always love him no matter what the day is.  So, I guess today I will look at it as any other day, but I will be extra thankful for him because he has given me the greatest gift that no money can buy...he has given me his heart and I have given him mine.  I Love you Andrew and Happy Valentine's Day..can't wait for the all the days of love that are to come for us :)

.God Bless.

"I have loved you for a thousand years...I will love you for a thousand more..."

Life after College..

Over the past month or so i've been going through my many, many facebook albums of pictures,and trying to save and print the pictures of my College Life.  Going through these pictures was so bittersweet....How so you may ask?  Welp by looking at them I realized that I had a pretty amazing college experience...Though I took the 5 year plan, sorry mom and dad, I really did learn alot about myself and gained knowledge to earn a degree that hopefully one day I will use.  These pictures showed  me that I had some of the best friends a girl could ask for, a Sorority that helped me do things I never thought possible, and lets be honest some bars that took all my money and gave me headaches every single weekend :)  But looking at these pictures also made me realize something...college life was over.  There are no more nights out on the town during the week/weekend, no more nights staying up til 2am chit chatting with friends, no more days of school, no more days of seeing your best friends every day, no more Spring Breaks, no more random road trips(bills seem to take that money), no more nights at the KD/KA house, no more Greek Week/Tug...No.More.College.  Living here in Bowling Green and working at the college I made tons of memories at, I believe it's even harder for myself to come to terms with this no more college life.  I feel as if I'm being judged for not going out, not indulging in alcohol, and not acting crazy.  Here's my answer to those people..I've Grown Up.  I had my fun in college and I will always look on those times as fun, crazy, times of no responsibilities, and times that are in the past.  Though i'm still "young" I feel as if I'm embarking on another chapter of my life.  A chapter of growing up, being in love, finding a Church here in BG, having fun times NOT at a bar, and learning to move on from that life.  This post college life is not all fun and games by any means.  During this time you begin to question that "other life" and everything that went with it..was it real?  was it worth it? My answers to those questions is yes it was real and yes it was alll worth it.  Those times taught me a lot about myself and A LOT about the people that surround me.  Though sometimes those teachings are a harsh reality check.  I have to realize that not only have I, myself grown up but so have others.  They may be on a totally different road through life than me and that's okay.  It just means that there may be lots of growing apart, but hopefully that time in college forged a bond that won't be broken easily, may just be merely frayed.  And if that bond does break, then you thank God for those fun times and move on..Life is to short to dwell and wonder...You know sometimes I wish there was a book about how to handle this post college life...But then again maybe it's a good thing there isn't...because during this time i've had to handle life as it comes at me, and isn't that what life is all about?  About learning about yourself and others...What I do with this life is up to me, and I couldn't be more excited...those other times are in the past and I'll cherish them forever, but i'm not living in my past, i'm living in my "today" and for my future..Sooo thank you college life for giving me this unknown, exciting, scary, amazing POST college life...:)

.GOD Bless.


"Every one of us will, to some degree or another, will be faced with a new normal sometime in life.  When we embrace it and carry on, we tend to be a lot happier."-Kevin Malakrey 

My Ah-Ha moment...

I just have to share this moment with you all..an "Ah-Ha" moment happened last night while laying in bed reading on my awesome nook that Andrew got me..it had to do with the book "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven".  If you have not had a chance to read this book you must do so ASAP.  It is the most amazing story I have ever read, and I'm not even done with the book.  It is so powerful and will move you to tears.  Tears that will even happen in public while you are reading on the eliptical while working out-People probably thought I was sweating on my face profusely:)  I will not go into details, because I don't want to ruin the story for those you have not yet read it, but this story will deeply touch you.  It is about a boy who experiences Heaven while in a coma from a bad car accident, as well as the trials and miracles his parents and those around them experience during this time.  While reading this book I became aware that I do not appreciate the life that God has given me.  I wake up, dreading the day, dreading the weather, dreading work (sometimes), dreading working out (yes, even myself has off days), and dreading the bills I know are looming in the distance.  All I do is dread, dread, dread.  Instead I should be rejoicing and thanking God for giving me the life that he has.  I am healthy, happy, have great family and friends, have the man of my dreams, and am living a great life.  Things aren't always going to be ball of sunshine...life isn't perfect.  But its what you do with your life during the hard times that matters.  So this morning I woke up and thought to myself.."I AM HAPPY"  And this took me by surprise because due to the rainy weather and it being 6:00am I would usually start mumbling ugly thoughts..haha.. But not today.  Today was different, today was a new day, today was mine.  I can't help but wonder if this book, and this little boy's story was God's way of showing me that my life is an alright life.  Be accepting of it, take it by the ropes and ride through life with a smile on your face.   In the book the Mom of the boy had stated that her little boy would reach people all around the world with his story, and that he would touch them in their hearts, soul, and mind.  Well Mrs. Malarkey you were right.  Though it may not have been some huge miracle to some, it's a big miracle to me :) I am happy, I am thankful, and I am loving my life!  

.God Bless.