On Best Friends.

I got home to Mesa on Thursday and am just here for a mini vacation. As I've been home, I've had a lot of time to reflect on life and the friendships I've had for two reasons: 1. The celebration of Morgan's upcoming wedding, 2. Missionary friends returning. Reflecting on these things has brought me to such a thankful spot in my life for so many reasons.

I'm quick to call someone my best friend, which doesn't lessen the term to me. I have a lot of friends whom I love and cherish and really do consider my best friend. I realized that there are people I will continually fall back on for support, like Morgan and Jessika. We've been best friends since we were two, and despite our different friend groups, we get together again and it's like we never left each other's sides. Naomi is another friend like that. She's married, and I'm in Provo, but we can talk to each other on the phone for hours, and whenever I'm in town, it's like high school all over again. The thing is, I don't just have girlfriends like that. Zac Velarde has been such a good friend to me since we met, and every time I'm in Mesa, you can find us together, loving life and living like there's no tomorrow.

The thing I've come to realize  is that these people, Zac, Morgan, Naomi, Jacob, Jessika, Adam, Joey, Maeser- people I really know and love abundantly- have always been there for me. We've seen good and bad times, and somehow, miraculously, we come out on top, and that's not always the case with friends. Friendships don't always survive fights and disagreements, but when they do, they last forever. I think that one of the reasons I consistently come back to these people is because I know them so well, I know their stories, I know their worries (in a small way), I know their families, and I love everything about them. How could I not consider them my best friends?

Sometimes it's hard for me to watch my life change so much, and see everyone growing up, getting married, and having kids, but as I look at the friends I've been surrounded with, I know that the ones that really mean the world to me, the ones I've been with forever, they will always be right next to me, no matter where life takes us. I may have a fickle heart, but deep down, with my best friends, I'll always be loyal to those who have shown me loyalty. I happen to be blessed with a good group of people who've done that for me.

A Best Friend.

Today, I need to give a little shout out to one of my best friends- Zac Velarde.

You see, at the time this picture was taken, Zac and I were almost and practically dating. At the time that I'm writing this, we're no longer dating, but we're still best friends. Sometimes we won't talk for months and then I'll need some good, solid advice on boys, and I immediately text Zac- my ex-boyfriend. Funny, isn't it?

Recently, I've been in need of a lot of advice from him, and he has been incredibly willing to help me out, calm me down, and make me realize that it's not the end of the world or make me realize that I'm not imagining things when I think someone is into me. Thanks, Zac, you're a true friend.

Anyway. People always wonder at how and why I'm still friends with all of my ex-boyfriends. I usually say, "I dunno... I just am. It was just easier..." but when I really think about it, I realize that I would be a total dumbo not to keep the boys I've dated as close friends. They know me better than a lot of my friends and some might even know me better than my closest girlfriends. They understand why I'm crazy and in what ways I'm crazy, and they care about me enough to stick around. I guess I've always been lucky to break up in a way that is easy for both of us and keeps our friendship and closeness intact. I'm really so grateful for that.

So today, I just want to say thank you to Zac Velarde. Heavens knows I'd be a crazy-head if I didn't have him to calm me down these past few days.

Love you, friend!

Love always,
Ems

Oh Ya!

I graduated! ............. A week ago.... I know I'm slow on the posting but sometimes, I just would rather read other people's blogs than write my own. Anyone know that feeling?  Well, here comes a slew of pictures and stories behind the pictures so.... "Seat belts everyone! (honk, honk)" (that was a magic schoolbus reference if you missed it)

First off, we have the Choir Banquet. 

(captions will be below the pictures.

 I am always confused about where to put the captions...

 so i'm clarifying ahead of time... ONWARD!)

Calista Brianne Whipple. Love her. 

My phone calls her Calista BRIAN Whipple... 

Gets me every time.

 My life Support through High School.

Becca, Lindsey, Alex, Caroline, Me and Calista.

The Girls.

So lucky to be have 6 (Hannah isn't in choir but we still count her)

Girlfriends who are all so close.

 NAMOI!!! 

Choreographers of the year! 

What an adventure it was to that award...

Three am choreography sessions not advised...

Ever.

 The parentals.

Gotta love them.

ONWARD!

Baccalaureate!

 Oh... You get one picture I guess.

Be thankful- we took hundreds.

The Party Gang!

Me, Zack, Morgan, and Zac

(it's a Zac(k) sandwich!!)

ONWARD!

Seminary Graduation.

Ya know what's funny?

My seminary diploma is bigger than my actual diploma.

Is that supposed to mean something?

 Three Amigos:

Jessika, Morgan and Me.

Been friends with this girls since Land Before Time was cool.

I'd do anything for them.

 Family! 

YAY!

 The Former Greenfield Ward Girls.

We were ward buds from age 4 until April and then we got separated.

It was tragic, but good.

 All of old Greenfield! 

Love that second family.

 Three Amigos and Madres.

I really love this picture.

ONWARD!

Actual Graduation (Finally).

 My Daddy. 

Words can't describe how much I love him.

But I think this picture does an almost successful rendering.

 The Movie Watching Friends.

We like to watch chick flicks together- a lot.

They're great and living a floor above Becca and I at the Y!

(With the 32 inch tv Lindsey won at the bowling party- boohya)

 The attack hug from my very best friend,

Mr. Zack Jarvis.

I love this picture.

 Still hugging....

 Oh, the cheese.

How precious.

 Zac(k) Sandwich! 

Again.

I love both these boys. 

Such amazing friends.

I interrupt this slew of picture for a story about these two.

Here's how this worked. I grabbed both of them before they had really seen each other and we took the above picture. Right after, they turned to each other and gave the biggest hug and both started crying. I was fine (no tears) until I saw this and then I cried. It was so sweet. They've been the greatest friends to one another and since Zack is going to BYU and Zac is staying her at ASU, they know it's kinda the end. But true friendship isn't ruined by milage so I know they'll always be friends.

Continuing...

 The Girls.

 My Little Sister- Jordynn. 

Second time I cried that night.

(hence my funky eyes)

I love Jordynn with all my heart and not being able to see her every day next year is going to be so hard. However, I know that her senior year will be everything amazing and wonderful and then she can join me up at BYU. Love her.

 Jonathan Lane Sanders.

My Carl at Sadie's and one of the greatest guys I've ever met. 

And my secret crush (not really so secret, actually) all through Jr. High and High School.

He's so stink cute and nice.

 Allysun Taylor.

My poster prodigy child and poster nazi team member.

I'll miss her like crazy 

but neither of us will miss Ms. Scott. 

muwahaha

 Morgan!

Did you know that we had matching night gowns when we were little?

Both our grandmas got them for us and we didn't know we had matching ones (no our grandmas didn't plan it) until we had a sleepover one night. Just proves we were meant to be best friends for life.

My all-time favorite teacher: Tdag, Tmaster, Tswizzle, TdiggityDawg

Dr. Temme.

I had to go hunt him down in the orchestra room to get a picture with him- he's the only teacher I wanted one with. He has made such a difference in my life and I'm seriously going to miss his lame yet funny jokes and super dry humor. 

He's on my wedding invitation list and he better come.

Wow. Sorry that was the longest post in the history of posts. 

I'll reflect on everything later.

(possibly)

Love always,

Ems

Friend

I have this friend.
And he's really talented.
He took a day tip to Sedona and took some film pictures
(yes, people, it does exist).
 I liked them.
 So I'm sharing them with the world.
Well, my two favorites, at least.

His name is Zac Velarde.
He's awesome.
And one of my best friends.
You should be his friend too.
He's just that cool.

Love Always,
Ems

14 Days of Love: Day 3

Today, I love...

...Cupcakes.

I made some cupcakes tonight with some help from Mr. Zac Velarde... well, I guess that's depending on your definition of help.... he mainly helped by smearing the batter on my face... But he did do the dishes! So that counts for something. Anyway, I believe that cupcakes are a little slice of happiness. You cannot be upset whilst eating a cupcake. It's impossible, I'm sure of it. I even wrote my biographical sketch for college on making and sharing cupcakes.... I seriously love them that much. So next time you're down, give me a ring and I'll make you a cupcake. Pinkie Promise.

Love Always,
Ems

Oh my, A day Late!

I realized a terrible thing just now....

Yesterday was Zachary Xavier Velarde's birthday and

I didn't dedicate a post to him!


Fail much? I think so! So instead of a top 10, he gets a top 18 for three reasons. He turned 18 yesterday and he is number 18 on the soccer team and I missed yesterday so the extra 8 makes up for my utter failure.

Without Further Ado...

The top 18 reasons I like Mr. Zachary Xavier Velarde

1. Let's put the obvious aside, he's stink cute! Look at that picture! {or maybe I just make him look real good... But I'd beg to differ.}

2. Zac will drive my truck for me- always. I hate driving slash am pretty darn terrible at driving so I let him drive my truck whenever he is with me. He definitely drives it off campus everyday- nbd- he can pull of the pink-adorned keys without a problem!

3. I get to pick the golden spoon flavors- always. This is very important even though I pretend I wish he would have some say in it. All he says is, "no cake batter" which is a tad sad because I do love cake batter but, I can compromise.

4. Zac is devoted. This boy goes to church every week for 3 hours on his own! I definitely admire that about him because had I not been raised how I was, I don't think I would be going to church for any amount of hours by myself.

5. You've gotta hear his laugh- it's probably one of the funniest laughs I've ever heard. And he laughs so much! Which is good! Happiness is something I like.... obviously.

6. Zac doesn't quit... especially at cards. Which is most definitely a good thing because we all know I'm the queen o' the card deck...

7. He allows me to live in my own little emmaworld which is good because most people don't {rude}. My world is perfect, afterall, and everyone should live in it. Anybody want to move to emmaland? Our houses are beautiful!

8. Hugs=Zac's best talent. An awesome hug can change your day, don't you agree?

9. Although he doesn't really love playing keeper, he has been playing there all season and has been doing a marvelous job! He is also the one of the captains of the soccer team and I'm sure is amazing at that! {I don't necessarily know since I happen to not be a part of the soccer team...}

10. Zac treats his friends like they are his family. He cares so much about each one of his friends and is always making sure they are ok.

11. Listening is his secret ability. He is probably one of the best listeners I know. Which is very important because I talk... a lot.

12. He loves his mother. It's super sweet and precious.

13. Zac was the first person I saw when I got the news that my grandpa had passed away and he seriously saved me that day. I'll always be grateful that he happened to be walking to his mother's classroom at the same exact moment I was.

14.  Zac will watch chick-flicks. A necessary trait for a boy to be considered awesome.

15. Zac thinks everything I do is cool. Which isn't very hard since everything I do is cool... but I'm pretty sure he's the only one who tells me... even if he's lying.

16. Zac is half-mexican. 'Nuff said, bro.

17. His sense of humor... it's a tad odd at times but anyone who knows him would agree that despite the oddities of it, it's probably one of the best senses of humor around!

18. Zac slow danced with me in an empty street- twice. Yup. He's that amazing.

Well, Zachary, you are a most fabulous person and I have been so blessed to know you! I am so very happy you had such a great birthday and hope that you continue to have many others. :)

Love Always,
Ems

Day=Made

Three Things that made my day today include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. My Toro Soccer boys DEMOLISHING Corona Del Sol with my ever favorite keeper, Zac Velarde, making some absolutely spectacular saves! Have I mentioned I love our soccer team?!

Toros for life.

2. Receiving this:

in the mail! Along with a coupon for 20% off my entire purchase! Shopping spree anyone?

3. This quote: 

The family is one of nature's masterpieces. 

-George Santayana

Man oh man. Isn't life just wonderful?! 

Love Always,

Ems

Adoration.

That is how I feel about my wonderful winter formal date, Zac Velarde.

Here's the deal with Zac.
-Sweet
-Fellow Hopeless Romantic
-Gentleman
-Understanding
-Ridiculously Attractive
-Captain of the Soccer Team
-KEEPER of the soccer team
-Awesome
-Half Mexican.

Yes, half Mexican had to be part of that list because he makes really good quesadillas as he demonstrated to me today at lunch. Overall, he's a really amazing guy and the best date I could ask for. Not even kidding. I am so very happy we were finally able to go to a dance together after missing 4 opportunities. I was a very lucky girl that night- he even drove my car because I hate driving but it was girl ask guy so I was obligated to drive.... Oh, and did I mention he can rock monkey footy pajamas like it's his job? He can. I'm so delighted he is one of my best friends because life just would not be as grand with out Zachary in it.

Love Always,
Ems