I remember it all too well. The time in my life I REALLY needed friends. You know, the time when your heart is shattered into a million pieces and you have NO clue on how you will ever feel whole and fully yourself again. The time you’re laying on the bathroom floor crying wondering how you will ever heal. Feeling hopeless like you have no value to give. Have you been there before? I have, and it absolute has everything to do with why I do what I do.

Being able to pick yourself back up is not always done by ourselves. We need girlfriends by our side. To hold us, tell us we are going to “Find Our Fabulous” again and to tell us that this too shall pass while we scream, cry and kick ourselves during the hurt and pain.

I’ve had many key friends in my life who have made a huge impact on my life who have helped shape the me I am today. Karen is one of those friends. I met her in high school PE class and she just LOVED me for me. Even though we were different. Karen is a picture of LOVE to everyone and she took me in and just loved me.

Then there’s Nichole who just loved me the same way Karen did. She understood me and when I was going through one of the hardest times in my lives gave me the best book that could change my life forever. I met her and Jaimie in graduate school. Funny because these two beauties I rarely talk to but I know if I pick up the phone we would talk forever and just love each other!

During this life changing time in my life, I moved to a new state not knowing one person and found a deeper need for friendships. Ones that would put me in my place and help me become the person I wanted to become. During this move, I literally did not know anyone and it took a long time to find these friendships. I was lonely, hurt, and in a place I was learning about who I wanted to be and grow like I’ve never grown before. It pretty much sucked. I had a job that was very challenging in a big city trying to find my place and faith. Growing and becoming who you are CALLED to me is not always pink rainbows and candy!

Over a long 7 years is when I met these beautiful faces. Each of these ladies helped me realize who I was called to be and what kind of friend I needed to be.

Through all these friendships, I also realize I will also be used in people’s lives to help them, all while realizing, it’s not about me. There are seasons of friendships and those you look back on asking “what was God’s purpose in that?” Realizing that was not about me. I needed to be in their lives to help them even if the friendship did end. There’s no glory in ending friendships but there is a special place in my heart and makes me smile for the times I had.

There are those friends who you love dearly and find the friendship comes to an end because it’s really not healthy. That is ok! There was a purpose there and learn from it and most importantly ask yourself what did I learn and how did I grow from it. That may have been a time when YOU were serving in their life and it wasn’t about you. Or life circumstances change and you are in different seasons of life that don’t mesh with the time it takes to be a friend.

Because lets get real… building a relationship with anyone takes time.

I have a husband, two kids and one on the way, a business, a blog and I realize we have to reserve our time carefully. Being busy, we only have so much time and it’s wise to select who speaks into your life.

I love meeting many of you on social media, through this blog and through my business. It puts a huge smile on my face to read those messages from you that something impacted you in a way that helped you pick yourself back up , or found a new tip for your make up routine or discovered a new recipe and it helped you reach your fitness goals or conquer those cravings and find that great deal on an outfit! You are the friends I may never meet, but admire, appreciate and encourage me to do what I do. Helping you Find Your Fabulous!

I believe my heart becomes bigger and more impacted from meeting new people and hearing their stories. I learn so much from each new friend I meet. As I write this blog I smile thinking of all the people who have come into my life and imprinted any type of impact.

Realize that friendships are like seasons and each season has a time and purpose that has a place in your heart of life. Cherish them and take them in for what they are. A part of life that will help shape the Fabulous You you are called to be!

Straighten up your crown and reign on Gorgeous!