Author: Annalise Freling

My friend has a master’s degree. Unhappy with the career she chose, she went back to a job that put her through college – waitressing. She makes more money than her office job paid and works three days a week. She travels the world, owns a house, and doesn’t care about who she’s friends with on LinkedIn. She is one of the happiest and genuine gals I’ve ever met. She’s a server.

In one of my favorite movies, Big Fish, the main character, Edward Bloom, said “They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops, and that’s true.” He was standing amidst popcorn floating in the air, gazing at Sandra Templeton, a girl he would eventually marry. It was around 17 years and a few weeks ago that I met my first love, popcorn and all.

I consider myself to be blessed with some of the best girlfriends in the entire world. You know who you are. We’ve grown up together and have been through the good, bad and ugly. We entered adulting clueless and years later we still have each other to lean on and be clueless with. For that I’m grateful.

I used to live paycheck to paycheck. In some situations, it’s unavoidable. I, on the other hand, wasn’t living within my means. I had whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and I never knew how to say no. I call this “educational debt” because I certainly learned a lot from my spendings. Where was all my money going?

There’s an old saying that goes “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” This is especially true with animals. The four-legged love of my Nikki life passed away last year. I wish he were here every day.

It’s not a secret that I love clothes. My friends will be the first to tell you stories of my “decade bins” filled with treasures from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s nestled delicately in my basement. When my friends call, I’m usually out shopping. It’s my favorite hobby and pastime. In my opinion, dressing is an art form and one’s best form of expression. Clothing can say a lot about an individual.