Labor Day Weekend 2023

My sister Jenny and I got the chance to spend a weekend visiting Laura and Emily. Emily flew in from Las Vegas and Laura had just begun her journey through law school. We had all know each other since we were babies and it was absolutely wonderful spending the weekend laughing our hearts out. 

Myself, Jenny, Emily and Laura drinking wine and causing a scene at The White Oak Cottage.

Photo by Mike Turczyk.

Myself, Emily, Laura, Parker, and Jenny enjoying a fun afternoon in the pool. 

Parker patiently waiting for her turn on the llama floatie. 

All the chaos in the pool reminded me of a Renaissance painting. 

Myself, Jenny, Emily, and Laura.

Parker

Parker was born on September 21st, 2019 to my best friend Laura and her husband Cuth. I had planned on getting to meet her for the first time in March of 2020. Unfortunately, that would be the same time Covid-19 began to erupt. For the longest time I only got to see her through pictures or from a distance. I was recently able to visit with her and see this little cutie up and close. 

My Tribe

I got tagged in tribe challenge on Facebook and decided to celebrate some of my longest and most impactful relationships.

What better way to kick it off than with my longest friendship - Laura. Our parents were friends before we were born and I only lived four months without her in my life. There must be thousands of photos of us together. My first sleepover was at her house. I can’t even begin to count how many shenanigans we got into or how many horror stories are parents could tell. No matter how much time passes between seeing each other we never miss a beat. She is smart, stunning, a wonderful mother, and I don’t think that anyone has made me laugh more than she has. 

Visiting Washington D.C. with Laura in 2011.

I’ve known Emily since I was three years old. The list of shenanigans and blackmail photos is probably a hundred miles long. We were both obnoxious Leo’s but any time we got together we dialed it up to eleven and broke the nob off! I had a rough year when I had gone to visit her in California but when we were together I just remember laughing for days straight. She is someone who can turn the most mundane trip to the grocery store into a ridiculous adventure and a story for the ages. I have seen her grow from some difficult times into the amazing woman she is and never lost an once of her sparkle. She is beautiful, wild, and unstoppable. I have enjoyed every minute of her company. 

Visiting Emily in California in 2016.

My third longest friendship is with Rochelle, who I met when I was six years old. We were neighbors and she asked me if I wanted to be friends. My family moved when I was nine years old and I don’t know if I would see her again. We were miraculously reunited in middle school when after three years of changing schools I ended up at the same school where her mom was a teacher. We recognized each other immediately and it has been delightful wackiness ever since. I can’t think of any other person who can bounce between art and science topics with such enthusiasm and fluidity. She also taught me the value of hugs in middle school when she wrapped her arms around me when I was having a bad day. I have been a hugger ever since. She is extraordinarily kind and exquisitely unique. Watching her raise her little girls has made my heart melt.

Hanging out with Rochelle and her daughter Ellie in 2019.

I have known Amber since I was fifteen. We met in Marine Biology in high school when she sat next to me. I loved hanging out at her house eating nachos, talking about boys, and watching MTV. Not long after we got to college my relationships with my first roommate and my boyfriend collapsed. I would not have come out of that mess as well as I did without her help. Her straight forward, no nonsense approach to problem solving is something I have always admired. When we became roommates I experienced a physical and emotional stability that I hadn’t known in years. We were always laughing, sharing clothes and cooking up a storm in the kitchen! I’ve watched her take on grad school and become this incredible teacher and roll model. Seeing her ride the roller coaster of the adoption process waiting to be the mother she already knew she was. The outpouring of love that she has for her children is so incredibly special and they couldn’t have ended up in a more wonderful home. I am so proud of her and everything she has accomplished! She is fearless, radiates grace, and is completely unstoppable! 

Enjoying a girls weekend in Tampa with Amber in 2013.

I met Mariko at Dandelion Cafe back in 2008 when I was looking for an internship. She was working on the WET show for the Fringe Festival that year and asked if would be interested. I said yes. Working on the WET show was unlike anything I had ever done before and was the first time as an artist that I felt like I was part of an art community. I was so impressed that when the show was over I told her that “she would never be rid of me”. Over the years it is incredible to see what was accomplished. Working a myriad of jobs within DRIP I learn what I was capable of and acquired skills I never thought I would have. She is the reason half of my clothes still have paint on them. Most people that I know in Orlando I met thru her. She is innovative, boundless, and compassionate. It is so hard to put into words just how much of an impact she had on my life. What an incredible ride! 

Mariko and I in the DRIP venue on I-Drive around 2012; before all the renovations. 

I met Tink somewhere in 2012 shortly after we got the DRIP venue on I-Drive. My first memory of you was going out to eat at Cici’s pizza. I remember I thought she was intense and very smart. She was instrumental in getting the show off the ground and keeping it running. I couldn’t believe how much she knew about lighting at such a young age. Through the long hours we got to know each other very well. I so fondly remember our many conversations on the loading dock, our little pre and post show sing-a-longs, and our 3am gas station snack runs. Her sass and spunk are truly legendary. And she was reason I got into the SCA. She knew I’d love it right from the start and it brought so many wonderful people into my life. She is the common link between my two wild adventures. I am so proud of all she has accomplished and how she has grown as a person. She is strong, a unique mix of crazy and down to earth, and immensely fun to be around.

With Tink on her wedding day in 2017. 

Virginia

Over the summer I was lucky enough to visit my best friend Laura in Virginia for her wedding.  Our parents were friends before we were even born and we were only born four months apart. I can literally say that I have known Laura for her entire life. The years have moved us to different states, but no matter how much time has pasted we seem to pick right back up where we left off.

She is as much a part of my life as anyone in my family. There are pictures of us in cribs together with nothing but diapers on. I had my first sleep over at her house. We watched our first R rated movie together. I never got in trouble much as a kid but for some reason I always got in trouble with her. We were usually laughing too hard to let it get us down for long. Fortunately, that trait has lasted us well into adulthood, and I am proud to say that after twenty seven years, their is no one I'd rather be in trouble with.

We hadn't seen each other in two years, but when I found out she was getting married I know exactly where I needed to be.  I was headed to Virginia.

Her fiancee's name was Cuth and I was a little bit nervous about meeting him. They both came to pick me up from the airport and buy the end of that 40 minute ride all three of us were laughing like crazy. I felt like I had made a new friend. I felt like I was eight years old all over again.

It was the week before their wedding and they had every right to be stressed over all the last minute details. I was fully prepared to help them organize and get whatever they needed done. To my pleasant surprise they had almost everything squared away and offered to give me a tour of Virginia. They made me feel like a queen for a week. Even going to Richmond to help Laura pick out her wedding shoes felt like we were skipping school.

Laura striking a pose on one of Richmond's historic buildings. 

Laura and Cuth sharing a moment in the morning sunlight at the Lincoln Memorial. 

A beautiful morning at the Vietnam Memorial. It was completely worth getting up early. 

I absolutely love this photograph and how the multiple reflections give it such a strong sense of dimension. 

I saw this funny little guy in the street on the way to the Natural History Museum. 

Laura and Cuth at his parent's house after their wedding. 

I took this photograph after they dropped me off at the Dulles Airport. My flight ended up getting delayed and I had some time to wander around. I found this enormous hallway with these giant windows facing the airfield. At that moment their were no planes in the sky and the hallway was deserted except for myself. The light from the setting sun was in just the right spot to bounce off the metal awning over the door. It made the airport feel ethereal. 

It ended up being a long flight and I was happy to get home, but Virginia gave me nothing but laughter and great memories.  I'm looking forward to my next adventure with Laura and Cuth.