Wow, talk about stories! To wrap up our month of celebrating girlfriends and our second anniversary, we received some terrific entries for our Girlfriend Stories Contest – stories of how girlfriends have helped to increase the sanity, confidence, or fun in your life. Each story was unique and touching. Several made us laugh out loud!
It was hard to choose 3 winners, but we did it and now we’re thrilled to share them with you! In addition to listening to Meghan Ely, Jill Baughan, and Laurie Blakey share their stories on-air, we’ve also included their winning entries below.
Plus, they each won the brand-spanking new Girlfriend We Gotta Talk Coaster Collection co-created by Mary, Susie and Snippets! These four coaster designs are hilarious! You gotta get a set for yourself.
Meghan Ely’s Story
My best friend Mary-Catherine is, very simply put, a fabulous purse full of puppies, rainbows, stylish shoes and giggles. One of my closest friends for the last ten years, we've spent our twenties together making mistakes, having fun and sharing tears.
Our history is interesting to say the least and when asked the inevitable question of how we met, we have it down pat. "Welp," I say "I may have dated her brother for several years and I won Mary-Catherine in the settlement." In truth, I had ended he relationships years ago and the day after the "big" break up, Mary-Catherine and I took each other out to brunch and promised to always be friends.
Last year, we both hit lows at nearly the very same time. I had left a stable job of 3 plus years for a promotion at a new company- only to leave with my proverbial tale between my legs after realizing what a potentially horrible mistake I had made. I had just gotten engaged, bought a house with my fiancée and had a wedding to finance that Fall. And no job prospects.
The weeks passed and I decided to take on part time work and start the company I had been planning to open in two years. As the pieces began to fall into place for me, Mary-Catherine's full time job was cut back to minimal consulting work due to the economy. This was a particular blow since she had finally settled into a job that she enjoyed.
So in typical "us" fashion, I came running, just as she had for me. As soon as she broke the news to me, I was at her door step with a surprise in hand... two Honey Moon beers at 2 in the afternoon declaring "Welcome to unemployment. We're allowed to drink at 2 pm if we want." She couldn't help but laugh.
Flash forward a year and we're both gainfully employed (me with my business and she at a fabulous reception venue) and happily married. Two weeks ago, in fact, Mary-Catherine married her beloved Micah as I looked on. I had assisted her employer with a surprise soloist singing Ave Maria during the processional. As she made her way up the aisle she gave me a knowing and thankful smile- and I grabbed the tissues. We had been through a lot over the years and there was nothing better than seeing her in one of her most joyous moments. Although, I will admit that part of the tears may have been from exhaustion- we had, after all, stayed up until 3am making her veil and reprinting her wedding programs at Kinko's. Some things never change. :)
Meghan Ely is owner of OFD Consulting, a niche marketing and public relations group, offering specific and comprehensive services to small businesses specializing in the wedding industry.
Jill Baughan’s Story
I've discovered the perfect antidote for the blues: Do something fun for somebody else.
Several years ago, my friend Sue told me that one thing she wanted to do someday was to ride a Harley—just to feel the wind in her face, hear the “potato-potato-potato” rumble of the engine in her ears, and experience the power of the ultimate Hog. Not knowing anyone who owned one, she filed that little wish away on her “to do someday list” and went on with the business of life.
As our fiftieth birthdays approached (just a couple weeks apart), I was in a bit of a funk because…well, fifty is such a very big-sounding number—and I certainly didn’t feel like such a big-sounding number. So I thought I’d try to cheer myself up by having a little fun, and brewing up a great present for her.
That’s when I remembered her Harley dream from a few years before. “Perfect,” I thought, as I searched for and ultimately found a willing Harley guy.
When Sue and her husband Ron were on their way to visit us the next weekend, I told her that I had a special surprise for her birthday, at which point she began to panic just a teensy bit, because she knew how “out there” my surprises can be.
About fifteen minutes after they arrived, when I saw Harley Guy roar up our street, I cranked up the stereo, playing Born to Be Wild, and she really freaked out. “Oh my gosh,” she later confessed to thinking, “What’s she gonna do to me? Something life-threatening? Something illegal?”
Harley Guy rang the doorbell, I opened the door, and said to Sue,
“Here’s your birthday present, girl! Enjoy!”
She thought I was giving her a man for her birthday. So I had to say, “No, no, not HIM...look out in the street!” She nearly fainted with delight when she caught sight of that Harley. Then she laughed. She screamed. She almost cried.
As Harley Guy fixed her helmet and she threw her leg over the side of that bike, I have never seen anyone so excited in my life. You’d have thought he was the Harrison Ford carting her off to raid the lost ark. As they roared into the sunset, she flung her arms out, yelled, “Woo Hooooooo!!” and away they went on a cloud of exhaust and adventure. It was a picture I will always hold in my heart as proof that, even though our joyfulness may have been dormant for a while, bringing it out to play for the sake of someone else can resurrect it in you.
As a speaker and an author, Jill Baughan helps you unleash the power of play in your life, no matter what your life is like. Her latest book is Born to Be Wild: Rediscover the Freedom of Fun.
Laurie Blakey’s Story
I can't imagine my life without the women that I have been blessed to share the good and bad times and life events with. I have always known who these special women were from the moment we met.
Eight years ago, I met a young woman named Laura Condrey. I was trying to form a partnership with another realtor. I needed someone to handle purchasers and their transactions as my business had become overwhelming. She was the perfect match for the business, having come from a real estate background. She also became an irreplaceable part of my life, and we have shared many ups and downs. My business doubled and I was finally able to relax without feeling guilty.
From business stresses, to business successes, girl trips, and family events, we are there for each other. One such family event was last year as I planned to retire from real estate and open a bakery.
I chatted with Laura about all my plans and business strategies looking for her input. We discussed becoming partners again. Without her believing in this vision, and jumping in with all the faith she could muster, my dream of opening Pearl's Cupcake Shoppe and having it become so successful wouldn’t have happened!
All of my girlfriends have supported our new business whole heartedly. They have even driven across two states to buy baked goods just to surprise us! We are women caring about women and the future of all that we hold near and dear. I cannot think of any one of my friends without smiling and knowing that everything runs full circle, thanks to Pearl and my friends for blessing me and my life.
Who is Pearl? My grandmother Pearl Gentry Chapman was always there to assist her female friends in any way she could, even if it meant putting something in her own life on the back burner. I was my grandmother's oldest grandchild and the first girl in my generation of the family. She was the best grandmother, always looking for the positive in everyone and challenging all around her to overcome their weaknesses. She was my first real mentor, setting the stage for successful friendships to come.
Laurie Blakey is the granddaughter of Pearl Gentry Chapman and co-founder of Pearl’s Cupcake Shoppe, Richmond, VA’s destination for handheld desserts and confections baked fresh daily on site, using the finest gourmet and local ingredients.
