More Sweet Friends

Wednesday last week was our 3rd baby shower! This one was hosted my some of my longest and dearest friends here in Houston. These girls mean the world to me, and although I don't get to see some of them as much as I'd like, our friendship doesn't suffer. I have to tell the stories about each of them because it's not just coincidence that each are part of my life.

I'll start with Erin who I met about 3 1/2 years ago. (far right) She was a desperate soul searching for someone to relieve her from her over stressful job! Actually she was my sales partner when I first started selling new homes and the day before I started I let her know that I would be gone on vacation for the next week and would start work officially when I got back. I had no idea that she had not had a day off in over 3 months and her last partner had just quit after being gone to Hawaii for 2 weeks! After she hated me for a few weeks, we became the best of friends and still are to this day.

Keisha came with the package when I met Erin. She was in a sales office not to far from us and came to visit often. It just goes to say, if you are friends with Erin, you are friends with Keisha. She has the best fashion sense of anyone I know and likes for her friends to be dressed to a T as well. She'll even go as far to buy them clothes (see example here). She also hates scary movies and will spend the night with you if you make her watch one. (back row, right)

Next would have to be Penny. We have a strange history. At one point I couldn't stand her. I'll never forget the day she waltzed into one of our Monday morning meetings at work and I kept thinking "great another bubbly blonde dumb girl coming to work here". Not to mention it was September and she was already wearing Ugs. What was she thinking. I had no reason but I had this "junior high" dislike for her. I wanted to spit my gum in her hair at the meetings. And if I would have, she wouldn't know because she never brushed it...never! I think my boss played a cruel joke on me about 8 months later when he sent Penny to cover my office while I was out with my sister's funeral. She was so sweet and compassionate and called to ask if there was anything she could do. When I returned she was still there...as my temporary sales partner. She and I have been best buds since. She still doesn't usually brush her hair but she did for my shower and she looked great (she's the one on the far left).

Now for Ms. Merri (left of me). Sweet as can be and feisty! She's barely 5 foot and you'd never know because she wears 3 inch heels with everything-even pj's! JK :) Merri was my sales partner for a few months while she trained for a bigger and better place. She taught me a lot while she was there, especially what it means to be a friend. Merri is the easiest person to talk to and is a vault. I don't know if it's because she forgets or if she really does keep secrets! Merri has taught me how to live life and keep your true friends close. She's a trooper and she's a little mama, always taking care of everyone.

After Merri left, I thought I would have my own sales office. And, I did for a few weeks. One night I was at a realtor event our company was hosting and in walks Penny (pre-friendship) with these 2 other blonde girls that didn't work for our company. Not yet anyway. All I could think was ugh! I tried to check them out without being obvious but one of the girls never said a word! I thought, how in the world is she ever going to work here! Well, Monday morning at our meeting one of the girls from the function, Christie (back row left) walks up to me and announces that she will be a little late getting to OUR office today. That's just what I wanted to hear. Howeve, it didn't take long for my heart to soften for this one. Before the day was over I realized how much she was just like me. On the outside people think she's a snob and some never give her a chance. I'm glad I did. Christie has been one of the funnest people to get to know, probably because I think we are so much alike! Except for she runs 6 miles every morning and eats healthy. Honestly, she taught me a really tough lesson on pre-judging. Something, obviously I've had a problem with! We've since become the best of friends and she even gave me the honor of being a part of her wedding last year.

Last, but not least is Jackie (right of me). I met Jackie in a Monday meeting as well. I don't have any funny stories about how we met, but I have tons of others! Jackie has a true servants heart. Although she has extreme OCD when it comes to planning and organizing, she does it well. She was the mastermind behind the shower and took on most of the duties. Not because the other girls didn't want to but because she didn't let them! :) Jackie has taught me about prioritizing and family. Something I know will come in handy in just a few weeks. She is a great mom to her son and a great friend to me.

The best thing about all these girls is how selfless they are and how much they love me and each other. We are a tight knit group and although we don't work together anymore, we are very much a part of each other's lives. I'm so honored to have these girls call me friend.

Ok, no more gushy stuff. The shower was great-obviously and the hostesses (all pictured above) went in together and purchased the baby's bedding. You can see it here. These girls way out did themselves. It was a night filled with tons of friends and lots of goodies for baby Landes. Here's the rest of the crew: