Everything is going to be fine.

It is such a rainy, rainy day.

This weekend was so weird. I kept calling it my "grown-up weekend" because I had my sister's wedding on Sunday, and the night before I had my 5 year High school reunion. I went to an All-Girls Catholic high school - Notre Dame Academy, in Park Hills, Kentucky. The time I spent there was unforgettable. The education I received from NDA was amazing, but the best thing I got out of that school was the strong bond I still have with my best friends Ashley, Maggie, Erin, and Lauren. Other than my girls, I still keep in contact with a lot of people from high school because:

1. This is Northern Kentucky - the place were nobody "truly" leaves. If you were born and raised here, you're bound to come back.

2. I am one of those people! I've lived here all of my life, and it's hard to get away.

I am fine with living in this area, too. Sometimes I feel a pressure to go and experience other places, but I have a lot of growing up to do before any of that can happen.

It always seemed like five years wasn't enough time to grow or change. Five years ago I was 18... and I haven't changed that much. I am once again living at home, I do not have a steady career, and I am in a 4 1/2 year long relationship with a guy in my same boat. I have a degree, but I still want to go back to school and earn my Masters. And getting married and having children are definitely not on my to-do list in the near future. I've got to learn how to take care of myself first! I am only 23! I've always kind of thought it was too soon for a reunion - some people are still in school, some people are getting married, some people have children, and some people haven't changed at all. But I guess everyone's going to be in a different spot at every reunion, right? Everyone is different - different goals, different problems. Everything is going to be fine.

The Happy Newlyweds!

I guess I've been thinking a lot about this stuff lately because my sister Lauren just got married, and I couldn't be happier!

[Side note: check out her awesome blog @ Mixie Studio]

Her and my brand new brother-in-law Mark are perfect for each other, and I love them both so much. And they are expecting a baby girl in late October! Lauren is 18 months older than me, and our whole lives we have been very close. It's been weird because our whole lives I've kind of been a few steps behind her. We went to all of the same schools, we started dating the same people we are with now 4 1/2 years ago, and now we are going completely different directions. Lauren is a talented designer, starting a new family with her husband and baby on the way. She is in the right place in life for all of that. I am so excited for this new chapter in her life. I feel like I should be doing something! I guess subconsciously I have been using Lauren as a template to base the path of life off of - she's been an amazing role model and sister to me my whole life. But where her life is taking her is not where I am ready to go. So what now? Now, I need to continue doing what I love - make some more damn art work. I'm living in my head too much these days. I just have to keep reminding myself. Everything is going to be fine.

Me and My Boy at the Reception