Welcome to the second day of #LoveBlog! Today’s prompt is Best Friends. You can find the rest of the prompts from when I first announced this challenge. This post is sponsored by FTD Flowers for their #ILookToHer campaign. Edit 02/20/2016: I received a flower delivery on February 12th to share with my best friend.
In yesterday’s post on The 5 Love Languages, I shared how my best friend (and college roommate) Rachel & I became even better friends after learning each others love languages. I might never have read the book if she hadn’t recommended it to me.
Rachel has done a lot more for me than recommend relationship books. She’s not just one of my best friends; she’s one of my role models.
Rachel is the kind of person who knows exactly how to quietly or jokingly correct your behavior, without making you feel embarrassed or guilty. I remember one time when she and another friend made dinner for themselves, but invited me to join them. The food had onions in it, and I started complaining. Rachel made a pointed remark, and I started laughing. My friends had just made dinner for me, and all I could do was whine? Someone else might not have handled my ingratitude well, but Rachel knew exactly what to say so that I realized how ridiculous I was being.
Rachel also taught me the importance of the little things in relationships, romantic or otherwise. She’s always been good about remembering my birthday and celebrating my accomplishments. Even when we lived together, she would send me the occasional magazine cutout or happy card through campus mail, just so I would have something to open. Then again, Rachel’s love language is Receiving Gifts, so I’m not surprised at all the small ways she acknowledged our friendship!
Rachel and I have both had a challenging six months or so. I’m still grieving the death of my mother, and she’s dealing with some other heavy stuff. She’s been so comforting and supportive of me. She even visited my dad & me a week or two after my mom’s service to help me in the garden!
This month actually marks ten years since we’ve been friends. Rachel & her roommate hosted a Super Bowl party our freshman year, when we lived on the same hall. Rachel & I quickly started hanging out, and she was my best friend within a few months. We shared an apartment our junior & senior years of Furman.
I wanted to do something for her this February, for all of these reasons. To thank her for her most recent love & support. To encourage her during her own difficult season of life. To celebrate a decade of friendship. To acknowledge all the ways she has taught me to be a better person.
Fortunately, FTD Flowers understands exactly how I feel about Rachel. This month FTD Flowers is celebrating female friendship with #ILookToHer. This inspirational campaign encourages women to take the time to acknowledge other women in our lives. What woman has been a role model in your life? Your mother or sister? An elder in your church? Your boss? While I’m blessed to know and to love many female role models, Rachel is the one want to celebrate this month.
My husband & I hosted a Valentine’s Weekend for a few of our friends. Rachel was one of two out-of-town guests who stayed with us the whole weekend. When Rachel arrived Friday night, I surprised her with a fresh bouquet of colorful flowers delivered fresh that day from FTD Flowers.
While the traditional Valentine’s Day narrative might focus on men buying flowers for women, I’m excited to mix things up this February. #ILookToHer is a wonderful opportunity to focus on a different sort of love this Valentine’s Day. Besides, y’all know this feminist loves a good gender role reversal!
Meet Your #LoveBlog Hosts!
Meet Brita Long: Christian feminist blissfully married to Dan Fleck for almost two years. Lover of Paris, pink sparkles, sensible shoes, manicures, and books. Fueled by hot tea and mimosas.
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Meet Susannah: Grace-filled follower of Jesus married to a super-hot worship pastor named Nate for 4.5 years. Mama to a precious, stubborn, opinionated, amazing one-year-old named Caleb. Lover of coffee, crafting, and connecting! (See what I did there?)
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Meet Tayler Morrell: Mormon stay-at-home-mom married to her best friend, Justin, for 3.5 years. Mother to 19-month-old Rhys. “Retired” history and English teacher, runner, lover of video games, fantasy, books, and cooking. Consumer of Italian food, chocolate, steak, and strawberries.
Bloglovin // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest
Welcome to #LoveBlog!
What woman has positively influenced your life? Consider joining #ILookToHer by sending your role model a surprise bouquet from FTD Flowers. For a personal touch, have the flowers delivered to your home and then hand-deliver the bouquet yourself.
I would love to hear about your role models in the comments. What have you done to thank the important women in your life?
