She's Married!

Last weekend, I had the good fortune to see one of my oldest friends get married.

Her name is Katie and we met way back at the beginning of middle school. We were tight back then. Thick as thieves in those days, and caused just as much trouble.

Even as the years have passed on, we have always remained close, even when different social circles pulled us in different directions. Even when we moved to different cities. But those childhood bonds, do they ever run deep.





We both went to each other's weddings and we both married boys with the same name...just like us.

Kate and Jonathan and Katie and Jon.

Too cute.





It's funny now to see who is at who's weddings. Funny how those that you were once closest with are no longer around. Those who you didn't foresee being there in the long run are still around and just as important as ever. Even funnier how one weekend can bring all of those good memories back and make you wonder why high school cliques ever existed to begin with.

(Side note: There are seven of us in the photo. Two are named Amy/Aimee and three are named Kate/Katie/Catie. This is why we go by our last names.)





But the best is when you all pick right back up where you left off. Without missing a beat.

It's been 10 years since we've seen each other? No way.

You have kids? Awesome. More importantly, remember that time at soccer practice when you flicked me off and had to run laps as punishment? Remember when we were fourteen years old and took your mom's car for a joyride? Remember when we built a float for the Homecoming parade? Remember when you caught me sneaking out of a basement window when you just happened to be walking by with your pet snake wrapped around your neck and scared the living bejesus out of me? Remember when we worked at the deli and the ice cream shop that were next door to each other and stole food to trade with each other all the time?





Yeah. Those were the days.





High school may have been a roller coaster, but now I look back and only see the good times, the good friends and all of the fun we had.





Anyway. Back to the wedding. I flew into Atlanta and then my parents and I headed out to Pawleys Island in South Carolina for the wedding festivities.

Katie and her family outdid themselves with everything - even their recommendations for condos were perfection! We stayed at Litchfield Beach & Gold Resort. You can see how great our view was, we were right on the beach and the lazy river pool was awesome.





Since it was a destination wedding there were activities planned from Thursday night on. We started the weekend off at the Tiki Bar where we added another dollar bill to the ceiling, complete with our high school nicknames (a must when we all have the same damn names).

Friday night everyone was invited to the Yacht Club for a low country boil. The shrimp was amazing, the bacon wrapped scallops were even better and the acoustic guitar players kept everyone dancing.





In between all the evening festivities I got to spend some quality time with one of my best friends in the entire world. Morgan and is my oldest friend and we eventually lived together in college. Charlie, her then-boyfriend/now-husband was our unofficial roommate back then. I haven't seen her since my wedding, which should be illegal.





Finally, I got to meet her adorable baby girl too. Let's be honest. Sloane is probably the cutest thing in the entire world.





My parents and I also made sure to get in some family bonding time by hitting up the historic waterfront for lunch on the pier and a little bit of shopping before the wedding.





For the wedding we all piled into shuttles to take us out to the chapel. Pawleys Island is surrounded by a giant marsh, which is where the chapel was. How we didn't sink the place is beyond me.





Katie was gorgeous and the bridesmaids dresses were probably the best I've ever seen. Beachy, elegant, and all different styles with beautiful white bouquets.





At the reception we were greeted with sand dollars that had our names and table assignments. The tables were named after different surrounding areas of the beach, which I loved. I am a total sucker for creative table names. Gets me every single time.





The food was amazing, the band was killer and the wine was flowing.

Somehow midnight crept up on us and the happy couple made their exit under a fabulous display of sparklers.





They hopped in their limo, changed their clothes and met the rest of us at a local dive bar.

With this group there was no way the night was going to be over so quickly. We had so much catching up to do that we stayed out wayyyyy past our bedtimes and closed, yet another, bar down. At 4:00am.

I was so honored to be a part of Katie's wedding weekend and am so thankful that her family included my family. The entire trip was a blast - from hanging out with my parents, seeing all those wonderful old friends, getting the sand in between my toes and of course, seeing Katie marry her Jon.

Congrats to the newlyweds!