Love at First Sight...

Do I believe in love at first sight??? Nope. Never have. To me love at first sight has always been a myth.  A rouse perpetrated by Hollywood.  It wasn't something that happened to normal people. It just wasn't realistic. Today I had an experience that has started to change the way I think about love at first sight.

Now, I am not talking about "lust at first sight".  I am talking about 100% real love.  The kind of love that makes you willing to do anything for that person.  The kind of love that will convince you that you can move mountains and do anything. The kind of love when you know without a shadow of a doubt that that person will be part of your life for eternity. The kind of love that puts someone else's happiness above your own.

Today, my niece had a beautiful baby boy.  Baby Boston.  I knew the moment I saw him that I was in love. I didn't carry him. I didn't give birth to him, but the moment I saw him I knew that I loved him. I knew that I would do anything for him and his happiness.  In that moment I also knew that my thoughts about love at first sight were way off base.  Love at first sight is something different.  As I drove away from the hospital I thought about other times in my life that I have felt that feeling.  The more I thought, the more my opinion of love at first sight changed.

As a single 30 year old I am not living the life I thought I would be living when I was a little girl. I dreamed that I would be madly in love with a family of my own by this time.  The older I am getting, the less likely that is to happen. I don't know if I will ever get the chance to have a husband and be a mother, but I know that that isn't going to stop me from living my life and being the best me that I can be. As I held this sweet baby boy today I realized that I can still have all of the love in my life that I desire. And even better, I can experience love at first sight anytime I get the opportunity.

I believe that love at first sight is a special gift from our Heavenly Father. I believe that in those moments that we feel "love at first sight", what really is happening is what we are getting a rare chance to see someone as Heavenly Father sees them. In that moment, because of that love, we can't help but be drawn to a person. Our Heavenly Father loves all of us so much that He sent His son to give us the opportunity to return home and be a family.  I love that Heavenly Father gives us these tender moments to see who He is and to see others how He sees them.  In these moments, if we are aware, we might get to see who we are as well.

That is what love at first sight is to and I have felt it numerous times. I felt it when I held my niece for the fist time. I felt it as I watched my nieces grow into beautiful, smart, capable women.  I felt it as I held my nephew for the first time and I still feel it when that boy (now 12) hugs his Aunt Shannon even though it may not be the cool thing to do anymore. I have felt it as I have had the chance to sit in the temple of the Lord and watched as my friends and family have been sealed to their spouse and families. I have felt it as I have shared the gospel with those in my life. I have felt it as I have spent time with my family, laughing and enjoying every moment together. I feel it when I am serving my fellow man. I feel it when I pray and when I read my scriptures.  I feel it in the quiet moments when I can shut off my brain noise and just listen.

Thank you Baby Boston for helping me realize what love at first sight really is. Thank you for giving me another moment of love at first sight.

My Girls

My Girls

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart" ~Elizabeth Foley

Over the last few days I have spent some time thinking about some of the things that have shaped my life. One of the biggest things has been the friends that I have. I have been blessed throughout my life with some wonderful people to call my friends and with recent discoveries and changes in my life,  I feel the need to reflect on my girls. 

Ally and I

Ally

I have known Ally for the longest. She and I went to high school together. When I first met Ally I wasn't sure what to think about her. She was everything I was not and that was intimidating. It wasn't until we were in a singles ward that I really got to know her. She is funny and kind and she genuinely cares for others. She likes to make people laugh and she isn't afraid to be herself.  She is goofy and smart and talented.   

Tami and I

Tami

Next is Tami. I met Tami in the same singles ward that Ally and I were in. Tami was one that I had watched for a while, wanting to be friends with her. She is smart and driven and one of the best listeners. She is sweet and gentle and welcoming and accepting to everyone.

April and I

April
Then there is April. Again, the singles ward is where I met her. She joined the ward and people were just drawn to her, myself included. She is honest and genuine and talented. She is silly and caring and original.

Amy and I

Amy
Finally, there is Amy. Common thread... Singles ward. Amy was the last one to join this group and is an incredible addition. She is dedicated and persistent and outgoing. She is bubbly and smart and giving.





These girls and I have been through a lot together. We have had our moments of laughter and tears. We have been through three marriages and two kids (so far) collectively. We have had some tough times, but mostly we have had wonderful adventures, heartfelt talks, killer girls nights and dance parties. We have spent years together and grown in so many different ways. As our lives continue to progress and we continue to go different ways, I know that I am so blessed to be able to call these wonderful women my friends. I know that I can call on them at any time and they will be there for me. These women are great and spiritual women. They are amazing friends. They are strong and they are beautiful and I am blessed to have them.