New Additions

Some groups of friends are like glue... held together by some outside force stronger and more resilient than could ever be imagined. These friends know each other's strengths and weaknesses and they have the most fun and wild adventures together. Each individual has earned the right to call out bad behavior while also providing the most sincere encouragement. These groups are built upon something bigger and more important than materialism or shallowness and because of that, they last a lifetime.

I am a part of one of these groups and I know what a blessing they can be. But I also know how they can unintentionally be exclusive... set apart and not open to new people entering into the mix.

And that's why I was SO excited and refreshed by my experience last night. 

You see, one of my wonderful roommates has had the amazing opportunity to belong to a tight knit group of friends. She loves this group of people with a deep passion and I know that they will always have an important place in her life, as they should. 

I have heard SO much about these people, and I've met some of them for like fifteen minutes at a time. But I've never had the opportunity to really hang out with them and get to know them. Well, last night they had a St. Patrick's Day party and I ended up tagging along with my roommate.

It was SO much fun! And so refreshing! Like I said before, oftentimes these types of friend groups will unintentionally be exclusive to newcomers... unfortunately, this characteristic is just an inevitable byproduct of knowing each other for so long and being comfortable with the group dynamic. Its easy for a group to get stuck in that spot. It takes intentional effort for a group like this to be inclusive and inviting and that's why it was SO great (and honestly kind of unexpected) how these people were purposeful in meeting me and getting to actually know me. I'm not a shy person, so I always dive right into any situation... but there is a difference between someone who feels like they have to have a conversation with you because you're there and someone who genuinely wants to have a conversation with you because you're there. I definitely experienced the later time and time again last night. It was just nice.

Anyway, I guess I just wanted to give a shout out to those people and say thank you. I hope to hang out with them again... and I was asked to hang out with them again... see, just another example of intentionality. I just love it.

Oh and the Irish Car Bomb was another great addition to the night too. Mmmm so good!