sweet perfection

I have a ton of bills to pay this week, my car is acting up even though the mechanic found nothing wrong, work has be totally burned out. I hate how dark it is and I'm not ready for winter.

But at this moment, none of that really matters. Those things worry me, but they do not consume me. They don't control me. Because in the end, what really matters are the people whom I surround myself with. And this weekend, I was reminded just how special each of those people really are.

If you've been keeping up with my blog you know that I have been preparing for my associate ceremony or a year now. The ceremony was on Friday night, and it could not have gone better. When I was on the altar I looked out into the crowd and there were my family and friends, listening intently and watching as I read my covenant statement and signed the papers. Sisters, associates, and others friends and family filled up the rest of the chapel. It's hard to pinpoint my favorite moment of the actual ceremony. It all happened so fast. One second I was praying I didn't drop my candle the next it was all over.

When it was over, I stood on the altar for a few moments with a few of the other brand spankin new associates. Sisters approached us with hugs and smiles. Pictures were snapped here and there. I broke free after a few minutes and ran to my best friend Alicia, who traveled all the way from Chicago just to witness my ceremony. Then we all gathered in the dining room, and there, around one big table, sat my family (minus my sister and Dave), my aunt mary ann, my three best friends, and my boys Dave and Dean. I couldn't have been happier. Sisters and associates kept approaching, handing me cards or giving me a shoulder squeeze or a hug to say congratulations. It was beautiful. Everyone had a smile on their face. My sister in law looked at me at one point and just said "I love this place. It's so happy". Yep. That is exactly why I love it, too. It completes me.

The rest of the weekend was just as wonderful. It was spent lounging and laughing with the family, shopping with Sam and  Sara, and loving on our perfect little Ryan.

Before Sara and JP left this afternoon, Sara told me that she and JP were having a conversation in the car about my friends. Sara said she was impressed by my circle of friends, that they were all good people with a solid foundation, that she really admired that. Allegedly  my brother's response was "Maybe Megan attracts those kind of people"

Can we get an awwwwwwwwww? :) How sweet. I'm not sure how I am so lucky to have such good friends, but Sara made me realize just how grateful I am for them. And not just for the ones who were with us Friday evening, but for all my friends who truly love and support and encourage me. That includes coworkers, backups, and other family members.  I'm lucky. I am blessed. And I am grateful.

And. I'm an associate. Word.