All Grown Up

Yesterday I went to my friend/sorority sister Lohryn's baby shower.  A couple of my college friends and sorority sisters were there, which was really neat--but it's so funny how much everything has changed since we were all friends.  Now that everyone is working, engaged, or pregnant, we're almost completely different people.  It's kind of bittersweet; in some ways I think we're better people, but in other ways I sort of miss the flawed people we were in college, the girls who had nothing better to do than hang out together, bake, drink, go to the movies, and be generally inappropriate together.  Don't get me wrong, it's not like I was a super party girl or anything, and neither were most of the other girls in my sorority, but we had a lot of fun together.  College was a happy time. 

Ever since law school, I have missed college.  But seeing the other girls, I realized how much they (and I) have moved on.  And although I still love them to pieces and look forward to the next time I see them, it is definitely different.  We're different people, moving in very different directions, and the things we had in common are pretty much completely over.  Now, we'll see each other for events like this--baby showers, weddings, engagement parties, bachelorettes, etc...but, for the most part, our day-to-day lives will be separate. 

Well, for what its worth now, I'm really glad to have had such an awesome experience in college, and really glad that we still get together when we can, even though our lives are all so different now.  I'm so excited for Lohryn and her new baby, and for my other sisters who are getting married in the next couple of months.  It's hard to believe we're old enough to do things like that!

Here's the present I brought!  (I LOVE buying presents; when I have money I will do it with much, much more frequency and the gifts will definitely be bigger.  I really enjoy picking out things for people!)

Ladybugs are a sorority thing, in case you couldn't tell.  I haven't bought anything with a ladybug on it since college, so it was pretty fun to go through the aisles and look for all the ladybugs and pick those things.  I don't love ladybugs personally (who could really love a bug?) but I do like what it represented for us and all the things I remember when I buy them.

A few staples; just because every momma needs them and they made a pretty pastel colored present.  Besides, who doesn't like soft skin?  Babies and mommas both included.

Here's the card!  It was the only one with a ladybug so, even though it says "your baby girl is here," and baby Ellie isn't coming until early May, I had to pick it up.  So cute.  And the inside wasn't icky cheesy either, so it was pretty perfect. 

Here's the whole present, pink sparkly bag and teething ring included, too.  I wrapped it up with purple tissue paper and the overall presentation was really nice, I think.

It was so nice to see everyone again, so nice to spend time with friends who knew me before I became the regretful law student I am now.  That sounds so discouraging, but I'm really not unhappy.  I'm a different person since law school, probably a better person.  I work harder, I think more critically, and I have a lot more interesting things to add to conversations.  I think I'm nicer, better adjusted, and I know more who I am and where I'm going.  I think my friends feel like they've gotten to that place, too.  Or at least I hope they do.

Here's to growing up.  It's a long and painful process, but so totally worth it.  I think we're pretty much all grown up, and I can remember a time where I couldn't imagine being this old.  Twenty five in two weeks.  Can you believe it?  Well, neither can I, but it's happening.  And I'm so glad for it.