Life has been a wild ride lately, friends. And when I look at everything on the calendar, I can hardly believe it.🎢❤️

We have four more weddings this month (two down), a home to finish renovating by the end of the month so someone can hopefully move in by November 1, a new grandbaby arriving in less than a week, two other special birthday celebrations, a surgery scheduled, and a planned trip to Chicago to see my brother and his three lovely girls at the end of the month. 😳

And that’s all in addition to preparing for two more Airbnb guests, taking care of my hair clients, and, of course, serving our real estate clients.

Somewhere between work, family, projects, and all the things we carry in our hearts, I decided I needed a girls’ night.

So I texted five of my closest friends.

Not because our schedules suddenly opened up or life settled down. Because I could use some camaraderie, and I had a feeling my girls could too.

One of their husbands had even mentioned that his wife could use some time with friends. I loved that. There is something so sweet about recognizing that the person you love needs a little room to laugh, create, and enjoy her people.

The idea for a “Petals and Pumpkins” night came across my socials, and I thought… we should do that! Then I spotted a cute little owl made out of a pumpkin. Naturally, we needed supplies for that too. 😂🦉🎃

Which is how I ended up at Hobby Lobby after work last night, happily filling a cart with pumpkins, flowers, and possibilities.

Getting six women together takes some coordinating. Most of my girlfriends have school-aged kids, everyone has obligations, and I needed to host on a weeknight. I even had Alysun add one of her girlfriends, who has become a dear mutual friend. I see her at church often with her sweet family, and I realized I better get her number saved. 🤪

The date that works is toward the end of the month, and I’m already looking forward to it! Three have confirmed they can make it, and I’m excited to have them around my table.

I love having something like this to look forward to. A little creativity. Some conversation that has time to wander. A chance to catch up beyond a quick text asking how everyone is doing.

We can make cute pumpkins while we talk about whatever life has handed us lately. We can laugh, listen, and maybe head home feeling a little lighter.

I’m learning that if I wait until life is calm to make time for friendship, I might be waiting a long time. There will always be another project, another full week, another wedding, appointment, renovation, or reason to put it off.

Sometimes you just have to send the text and make room at the table.

Life is a wild ride. Having friends to do it with makes it feel a whole lot more manageable.

And this fall, in the middle of all the weddings, renovations, celebrations, clients, travel, and beautiful family milestones, I’m grateful for my people—and a cart full of reasons to get together. 🤍

Stay Rosy,
Amber