florida state, florida state, florida state, woooo!

So, about that last post...the one where I was 'home' in Coral Springs and things felt great. Well, I had another great weekend like that to follow. With it being the weekend in between J's terms, he did not have to study. That sounds just crazy saying that, but it was true, and wonderful.

So, he wanted to get away, because we could. We went back and forth - to go away, stay home, go to Memphis, Tallahassee..? If you know us, you know we couldn't make up our minds. Around 2 pm on Friday, we were almost set on staying home. "Come on, we don't have kids, we don't have any obligations, we have no reason not to just get up and go somewhere right now," J burst out. "Well, okay!" Being that we left so late, we got in the car and headed to our beloved alma mater (the closer choice.)

It felt like home. And the two of us continued to say that all weekend.

Even though we were already dating for over 3 years before moving there, Tallahassee is where we really merged our lives together and became a little unit. It's where we got our pup; it's where we moved in together; it's where we lived when we got engaged and really knew we were spending our lives together. I don't know what it is about Tallahassee or Florida State in general, but we love it.

We woke up Saturday to begin tailgating. It was our first home game in 2 years! With beautiful weather, garnet and gold everywhere, old friends all around, and tailgators galore, J kept putting his arm around me, beer in hand, saying "this just feel's right!" And it did.





It's the one place you can sit with '80,000 of your closest friends' and wave your arm feeling right.at.home.





Oh, Florida State, we <3 you! We miss you! We can't wait to see you again! It's hard to beat a weekend with wonderful friends, each other, and an awesome place. (+ a Seminole WIN over Miami!)




Be on the look out for a post from me of all the little photo shoots I've done lately :)

spontaneity took over

Nothin' like a little spontaneous trip to be reminded of our old days. I couldn't tell you how many times our spontaneity led us on new adventures. Quickly packing and hopping in the car to venture somewhere our little minds schemed up last minute was always something I looked forward to when we had the time.

When J received a text message Friday morning from a family friend asking if we were interested in staying in their Walhalla, SC cabin and going to the FSU vs Clemson game with them, he instantly responded with something like "wish we could..but I've gotta study" as one would expect to hear from J. Then he told me about it. Bad move?! I got excited thinking he could really go, he responded with "haha, I wish!" and then he noticed the aw-man-what-a-let-down tone in me and started thinking. "Well, I think we can probably make this work!" ..I felt bad, but I guess spontaneity took over both of us.

I always try to support him, his study habits, and this somewhat different lifestyle we've signed up for together. It's not easy to just get in the car and venture off together every weekend anymore - and I'm okay with that. There are a lot of sacrifices being made, but in the end it's about pulling our sacrifices together and making the most out of things. He decided we should go ....and promised it wasn't just due to my selfish reaction (and well, this was for a football game, and he is a guy, so I believed him!)

I quickly baked while waiting for him to come home, we packed last minute, and were on our way. Just like the old days - a spontaneous trip and some Seminole football - yesss!


A short hour later, we got off the highway at Exit 1 in South Carolina and drove for another half hour...to what seemed like the middle of nowhere. It was pitch black out, we turned onto the tiniest little road, and kept driving..in the woods. 'Where are we?!' We pulled up to this house - except it was DARK - so it looked nothing like this! We caught up with the Kobans in their beautiful SC cabin, drank a little, and enjoyed the most normal-just-like-the-old-days evening we've had in a while. We both agreed; we needed that.


Saturday was full of hanging out, tailgating, cheering on our Noles, and enjoying the company...

We even decided to act like college students again...why not?! Shot-gunning beers...tailgating at its finest :)



We were definitely in the minority as we sat in the midst of the brightest sea of orange we've ever seen. We lost 35-30, but we were still proud of our Noles :) and it was definitely fun..

The sacrifice was worth it to J, the spontaneity was worth it to me, and the time together was worth it to both of us :)


Thank you to the Koban's for the generous hospitality, and for making this spontaneous weekend a fun one for us :)

a football holiday

J can never seem to escape his little cubby of a desk inside the PCOM library for more than a day, and this past holiday weekend was no far cry from the usual. But, after the countless hours spent each morning in his study hole at the library, we were able to succeed. We succeeded in hanging out with friends, eating and drinking anything and everything, watching football, and relaxing just as much as we partied. Labor day just may be a great excuse for a football holiday...I'm convinced.



The start of college football season greeted us with nostalgic feelings. The days of waking up on Saturday mornings only a half mile from Doak Campbell Stadium on home game weekends -- let me paint you a picture: cool fall air blowing in our half-open windows, cars honking, remnant sounds of the Florida State war chant traveling through our wide-open front door from crowds walking up and down the streets, and cold beer always waiting for the first crack of the day -- weren't all that long ago, but they sure seem to be distant days for us. We were wishing for a morning like that this past weekend! Instead, we had all our Florida State gear out and ready, just as everyone else did with their respective colleges. Football, friends, and a barbeque filled our agenda that day (well, after studying, that is.)

Maggie came to visit - and added to our wide array of college football apparel. You'd think we planned to wear all of this or something.

The guys played football and the munchkins kept each other company - and played a little football themselves. The lavish food display fit the holiday so well - grilled burgers, dogs, and sausage, baked mac 'n cheese, baked beans, watermelon, an array of desserts (including one that looked like an American flag), and more. Thank you, Chiaki and Jason (and Liam too!)






A gloomy, cloud-filled sky seemed to confine us to our home for much of the weekend, but we were happy to oblige. There were plenty of movie options to keep us entertained, and of course, plenty of football. Maggie and I stayed up prettty late catching up on Keeping Up With the Kardashians (rediculous..I know!) Our pup was glad to have us around, too.

Dave had us over for pancakes, bacon, and mimosas Sunday morning...and I attempted those donut holes I was talking about. Note to self: cake pops are much better - stick with those!

We loved having time to spend with family and friends. The weekend was a success, just like our Noles...34-0 baby! We're ready for the rest of the season..