Wearing: Lilly Pulitzer Dress (Old, newer shift dresses here!) / Jack Rogers Sandals (On sale!) / Kate Spade Earrings and Sunglasses (Old, similar here)
Last weekend, my family and I attended an engagement party for Katie, my childhood best friend, and John, her fiancé. It was held at the Strawberry Hill Mansion in Titusville, New Jersey–and it was such a good time.
Katie and I grew up together in one of those movie-like developments, where all the parents are best friends and all the kids are best friends. It was an incredible environment in which to grow up, and my childhood memories are filled with a whole lot of happiness. :) Think: pool parties, barbecues, and running around barefoot in the summer grass. Sigh.
While most have moved away from the neighborhood, the group tries its best to keep in touch and see each other from time to time. It’s really nice. And Katie and John’s party was the first event in a long time that brought nearly the whole crew together.
Seeing old friends was wonderful–and I can’t even explain the excitement and joy surrounding the engagement. This sounds so silly, but it really seems like it was just yesterday that Katie and I were practicing on the backyard balance beam, biking around the neighborhood, and starting our own babysitters’ club. (Haha. It happened.) And now my friend is getting married to such a great guy. I couldn’t be happier for them, and it truly feels like my sister is engaged.
Sometimes I’d give anything to go back to those younger years, when my biggest worries were whether Katie and I would catch the ice cream truck that day or whether we’d ever get dogs. (We eventually did, haha. Thanks, Parents!) To those years when there was always someone to play with, and when every door on the block was open. Sometimes I just miss everyone.
At the same time, though, I’m beyond grateful for those times, and for the fact that the residents of the old hood all place such an importance on staying close. And I love how many times I’m asked the following:
“Weren’t we so lucky?”
:)
Finally, I’m grateful that I’m able to take part in and celebrate momentous events like Katie’s engagement party.
Congratulations, you two! Love you both!
