Thankful Thursday: Happy Anniversary!

In an attempt to give my blog at least some semblance of focus/direction, I thought I'd try giving each day a theme. Alliteration felt like the way to go. Workout Wednesday and (spoiler alert!) Foodie Friday came quickly and obviously to me. But Thursday was posing more of a challenge..

Thirsty Thursday? Meh, that makes me think of nights at Iggy's & Laclede's, and I'm certainly not in college anymore..! Thursday's Thoughts? Sounded sort of deep. And let's be real, I just wrote about chair dancing yesterday.. I'm not ready to get all philosophical with y'all just yet.

But then, this morning, as I was stressed to the point of tears, sitting at my desk feeling utterly overwhelmed and gazing out over yet another gray, dreary morning.. it hit me: Thankful Thursday. 

Because even on those stressful "woe-is-me" days --- and dare I say especially on those days! --- it is so important to focus on and be thankful for the millions of ways that I'm blessed. Thus, Thankful Thursday! 

Picking my first feature for Thankful Thursday was super easy breezy..
Ladies and gents-- I'd like to introduce you all to my wonderful roomie, Emily!

Today, Emily & I marked our one year anniversary of friendship. It is certainly a friendship worth celebrating.. and let's be real - we two single ladies don't have any other relationship anniversaries to write home about..

Last February, I moved back to St. Louis after nearly three years away, and many of my college friends had either moved away or we had grown apart. One day I was talking to my friend Claire, who I knew from my days at SLU, when she suggested that I should really meet her older sister - EMILY.

Matchmaker Claire helped facilitate Emily's and my first "blind friend date." We met for dinner at Katie's Pizzeria Cafe on the fateful evening of March 14, 2012..and instantly started falling in love. You know, that best friend kind of love! 

We quickly grew to be very close, and next thing you know, our respective leases ended, and we decided to become roommates! It's hard to believe that just 366 days ago, I didn't even know this beautiful lady I now consider one of my very best friends! 

When we wanted to have a housewarming party, my mind first went to themed costumes, beer pong and jungle juice.. while Emily envisioned mini quiches, cinnamon rolls and mimosas. But thank goodness for that! - because that's just one example of how Emily and I balance each other quite well. 

She is the calm, collected focus to my sometimes off-the-wall and often hyperactive craziness. She is the more reserved, introspective and reflective listener to my maybe too-open, mile-a-minute, speak before I think, chatterbox ways. And somehow, it just works!

Emily is one of the most compassionate, generous, honest, loving and thoughtful women I know. She is rich in faith, firm in her beliefs and adventurous in spirit. 

While I could list a million more adjectives and positive traits to describe her, really it comes down to this: Emily is zazzacious. I mean, this chica is seriously zazzy. And that's just about the highest compliment I can give. 

The past year has been full of adventures, laughter, dance parties, delicious food, looong talks, glasses of wine and SO. MUCH. FUN.!! I feel so blessed to have Emily in my life, and I'm looking forward to what years two and beyond have in store! 

Emily & I sharing a celebratory meal at Katie's Pizzeria Cafe - where our friendship first began one year ago today. Cheers!

Love you, Em :)