When I think about some of the most amazing times in my life
I often think about the people I was with. I think about how the moment made me
feel, but also how amazing it was to share it with others. I am a fond believer
of making moments WITH people, because it makes them so much sweeter.
A recent time that comes to mind is when I got to tour
wine country in NC with some amazing friends and my Mama for my 26th
birthday celebration. I had always wanted to tour vineyards and there were so
many that were in easy driving distance. I told my Mom how I wanted to do
something new and different for my birthday and we set it up as a long weekend
away. I had two amazing friends with me, Melissa and Brenda, and of course my
Mom. Those of you who do not know about my Mom and I’s relationship….let’s just
say we are close. Very close, like best friends as well as mother and daughter
kind of close, friends and family. So being the amazing friend and mother she
is, she went to great lengths to research the vineyards and even find a cabin
we could stay in. I learned all about winemaking, became an expert on
varietals, and had too many laughs to count with my hysterical girlfriends
there along for the ride. We basically became wine connoisseurs after our 4 day
adventure; or so we claimed! Even though my Mom was battling a severe cough,
she still did whatever she could to make the trip memorable. If I had done this
tour of wine country with anyone else besides these awesome three ladies, it
would not have been the same. We made memories together, and it’s that
togetherness that I remember when I think back on our trip!
Another recent time that comes to mind is my going away
party that my parents threw for me before I left for Korea. I remember being
excited that people were coming that I had not seen in a while, and happy to
see my closest friends there, but the warmth and love that I felt by the end of
the night was overwhelming. We danced, ate and had a great time, but it’s the
feeling that I got from being around so many people that loved me that will
always stick with me.
I remember feeling so touched that so many people wanted
to genuinely wish me good luck, and it was once again that encouragement of
being together with friends that gave me courage to leave the country. My
neighbor and great friend, Sabrina, even made me a goodbye video and got
everyone at my party to say a farewell message to me! It was so amazing and
makes me feel so blessed to have SO much to go back to next year when I return
to the States.
The people we share moments with are what truly make a
moment special. There is no doubt about that.
Here in Seoul I have met some amazing new friends and I
laugh and smile at the beautiful memories we are making together. But so often
when we are out at Barbeque or taking photo’s in front of an amazing Korean
Temple, I can’t help but feel like something is missing. Not having my Mom with
me, or other members of my family, is a nagging feeling I wish I could remedy.
I take photos and videos to try to explain to them all the new things I am
experiencing, but I want my best friend to experience it with me. I want my
Mommy, there is no other way to put it. When I did my year abroad in England
she came to visit me twice which was such a huge blessing because I feel like I
can’t go 6 months without seeing her. I needed her to see all I was doing in that
country, so her coming to visit was a necessity!
As much as I love experiencing the world and living in new
unfamiliar places, I know it would never be a permanent choice because I couldn’t
imagine being away from my Mom for an enormous amount of time. I know that she
feels the same, and misses me so much when I am gone, but she is always the
first to encourage me to see the world and live my life!
I am now reaching my 4 month mark of being away from home. I
will have an amazing dose of comfort and home when I get to see my sister in a
week as we travel around Southeast Asia. Getting to see her will give me the necessary
fill of family that I am craving more and more each day.
My Mom plans to come
and see me next September and we will do our own traveling of the world
together, but I just don’t know if I can wait another 9 months to have our
reunion. This is why I’m buying her a ticket to come and see me in Seoul for
her birthday. She will come and see me for one week and see everything I am
doing first hand. I know she will fight me on it a little because of the financial
aspect, but it’s just money and I’m not using it right now. I can’t think of a
better way to cash it in then to get my Mom on my side of the world. For purely
selfish reasons, I want you here to eat Korean food, see my beautiful Korean kids, and experience this Korean city I live in!
So, what do you think Mama? Will your body and Seoul be
ready by February?
Say yes, and I'm booking it today! Wearing my heart and waiting for your answer...
J
 |
| Belize |
 |
| England 2007 |
 |
| Wine Tasting Fundraiser |
 |
| Wedding Reception 2010 |
 |
| Wilmington |
 |
Greensboro, Alecia Keys Concert
|
 |
| New York |
 |
| VA wedding |
 |
| Right Before Camp, NY |
 |
| Ecoli?? haha Lincoln |
 |
| Hendersonville |
 |
| Greensboro |
 |
| Hull, UK |
 |
| Belize Ball |
 |
| Kure Beach |
 |
| Christmas 2011 |
I love you Mama!!! See you soon!
Another recent time that comes to mind is my going away
party that my parents threw for me before I left for Korea. I remember being
excited that people were coming that I had not seen in a while, and happy to
see my closest friends there, but the warmth and love that I felt by the end of
the night was overwhelming. We danced, ate and had a great time, but it’s the
feeling that I got from being around so many people that loved me that will
always stick with me. 
I remember feeling so touched that so many people wanted
to genuinely wish me good luck, and it was once again that encouragement of
being together with friends that gave me courage to leave the country. My
neighbor and great friend, Sabrina, even made me a goodbye video and got
everyone at my party to say a farewell message to me! It was so amazing and
makes me feel so blessed to have SO much to go back to next year when I return
to the States. 
Here in Seoul I have met some amazing new friends and I
laugh and smile at the beautiful memories we are making together. But so often
when we are out at Barbeque or taking photo’s in front of an amazing Korean
Temple, I can’t help but feel like something is missing. Not having my Mom with
me, or other members of my family, is a nagging feeling I wish I could remedy.
I take photos and videos to try to explain to them all the new things I am
experiencing, but I want my best friend to experience it with me. I want my
Mommy, there is no other way to put it. When I did my year abroad in England
she came to visit me twice which was such a huge blessing because I feel like I
can’t go 6 months without seeing her. I needed her to see all I was doing in that
country, so her coming to visit was a necessity! 
As much as I love experiencing the world and living in new
unfamiliar places, I know it would never be a permanent choice because I couldn’t
imagine being away from my Mom for an enormous amount of time. I know that she
feels the same, and misses me so much when I am gone, but she is always the
first to encourage me to see the world and live my life! 
I am now reaching my 4 month mark of being away from home. I
will have an amazing dose of comfort and home when I get to see my sister in a
week as we travel around Southeast Asia. Getting to see her will give me the necessary
fill of family that I am craving more and more each day. 
So happy cant wait to celebrate my birthday with you! Thanks for making my dreams come true!
ReplyDeleteyay!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool I just love the relationship you have with you mom Mama G as I call her! It so reminds me of my relationship with my mom who is my best friend as well! I know you two will have a great time and I can't wait to see the pictures of her visit!
ReplyDeleteKeep reading this over and over!!
ReplyDelete