today i LOVE...

happy valentine's day everyone! whether you love or loathe this holiday, i think it's nice to think about the people who have made an impact in your life. in accordance with today's holiday, i would like to dedicate this blog to a few of the important people in my life. granted, there are many more who definitely have my love, but here are some of my MVP's (in no particular order, of course):

1. my family.
what would i be without my family? they have been there for me since day 1, and through difficult times and easier ones, have always stuck by my side.

my immediate family consists of my dad, my stepmom, and my brother. fortunately for me, i work with my parents (we have a family business-type situation going on), and i try and spend as much time with my little brother as possible. my brother, aden, is about 15 years younger than me, so i'm kind of like a half-mother to him. it is so neat to watch him grow up day by day and see how much of a little man he is becoming.

2. my man (& our dog, OF COURSE!)

sure, i had been in love before during my lifetime, but i would consider it puppy love, at best. meeting randy changed my life completely. we got together in the middle of my first year away at college. i had known him since i was about 18, but just as friends (he used to think i was weird!). when things got romantic, it was completely out of left field, for both of us i'm sure! today, i couldn't imagine my life without him. and with our doggy, lilly, in the mix, life is pretty great. i couldn't imagine better 'roommates' and friends, and i hope i get to spend my life with both of them by my side.

3. ericaaaaaa...
oh how i love me some erica!!!! erica is pretty much one of the best people i have in my life right now. on superbowl sunday 2010, our friend danny brought his new girlfriend to watch the game at our friend's house. 'ohhhh great,' i thought, as i am not really a girl's-girl. little did i know it would be love at first meeting! the boy has since faded from the picture, but erica and i continue to become closer and closer each day. she is the best person for drunk texting (on both the sending and receiving end), for tear-filled phone calls, for video chatting, and for just being myself around. i am so happy that a chance meeting turned into what i hope is a lifetime of friendship. she had to move back to her hometown after graduating college, but is courting some graduate schools that are much closer, so i can't wait for her to be back soon!

aside from those mentioned above, i have the priviledge of working with some really great ladies (you know who you are) and there are a couple people i have met in college that have been really great friends. even though most people HATE valentine's day (it even gets on my nerves, and i'm in a relationship!), i think it's nice to tell someone what a big part they play in your life. i could do with less of the teddy bears with magnets in their mouths sitting on heart-shaped pillows, but you have to admit, having someone say they love you AND they give you chocolate?? doesn't seem like such a bad deal to me.

until next time..

<3 alaina