Happy Birthday, Alyssa!

Good morning! Today's post is a shout out to an amazing person.

To say the least...This girl is one of my rocks.

And it's her birthday today! (Her name is Alyssa, by the way) 

The story? I met her through one of my friends (and coworkers at the rec center at UNI), Erin! I moved into the house with Erin, Alyssa, and Amanda Jo last minute. I didn't know a single thing about Alyssa or Amanda until the very day I moved all of my stuff in. In fact, weird story, one of first few days that I lived there, my ex boyfriend called me. He had ignored me and some other lame stuff had happened with him and all of the sudden he wanted to talk to me. Well...I wasn't having that. Alyssa got the privilege of seeing my rather "sassy" side and the rest is history! (Talk about nonjudgemental—WHEW!) I just remember walking out of my room, into the room she was in, and she just looked at me, with a smile on her face, and said, "Feel better?" 

Eventually, we all became really close. So close that we started to show a little more of our "wild" sides. No this didn't involve anything illegal...{that I'm aware of.} Somehow, our crazy and creepy house was named "The Zoo." I had a complete blast living in this house! Certain things became routines for us four. Sitting in the living room to do homework (because that's where the space heater was in the winter), playing pranks on each other (Amanda was the hardest to get!), going to church, going out (should those two things be put next to each other?), killing spiders, dance parties in Erin's room—while she's trying to sleep, ect.

I don't think I fully experienced college until I moved in with these girls. They definitely opened a different door for me. And I am so thankful it happened. (I miss them so much!)

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I'm pretty sure, that out of all of my friends...Alyssa comes in close to the top of knowing everything about me. She has always kept me in check. Always. And most days, I need that. 

She has worked so hard to get where she is and my respect for her with never cease. This last year, she became engaged. I think I had an outer body experience when I heard the news, I was so excited. Her fiancé is a gem, to say the least. They have their ups and downs, of course...but they really do get each other. I'm so happy she found someone that can do that. And I know she is too! 

Not to mention, this girl has a great core group of friends and family. Amanda Jo and Alyssa have been best friends since...well, forever. And their families are really close. I think that is so awesome...especially when they all get together! (Rock Band, what's up?!)

This next year of wedding planning and events will be a BLAST! I'm giddy thinking about it! 

Happy birthday, gorgeous! I wish I was going to the water park with you today!