When I moved to DC, I was positive I was one of the so-called “transients” my parents warned me about. You see, they actually lived in NoVa when I was born, and moved up to Massachusetts when I was almost 2. They loved it here, but constantly saying goodbye to friends who were just passing through for an internship or to work on the Hill for a year, it broke their hearts.
I was afraid of this when I moved here after UNC, but at the same time, I figured I probably was one of them. That it’d be a year or two in DC before I craved a taste of NYC, or jetted across the pond to bartend in London.
I liked- even loved- the District as a city, but that didn’t make it “home.”
And then I met Lexa.
My relationship with B was a just few weeks old at the time, and growing fast… but a man doesn’t make a place home. B and I could move anywhere, if need be, and would still be US- our togetherness doesn’t depend on where we are.
But friends. Real Friends, that group of people you can count on…
…to turn your shitty days into jokes that end with a beer…
…to love your quirks instead of hate them…
…to despise and deprecate the people who’ve crossed you a thousand times more than you do yourself.
For me, DC didn’t become that place, didn’t become my home, until I met Lexa. We had lunch one day, and, well, I think it was probably the shoes she was wearing, but I just knew she would be incredibly important in my life.
The rest of the crew fell into place over the next year (the crowning jewel being us convincing Maxie to MOVE from West Virginia), and now I am humbled and grateful to say I have the most amazing, close-knit group of friends here.
I am that asshole who has it all. And don’t I know it.
All thanks to you, Lex. So Happy freaking Birthday, my love…
Now don’t you ever go transient on me.
Love your face.
{ 82 comments }
Good Christ. You and Maxie are wrecking me today. Thank you, thank you.
.-= lemmonex´s last blog ..Twenty Nine =-.
This is so sweet! Love seeing blogger people that know each other in real life!
.-= Jessica @ How Sweet´s last blog ..Vanilla Cinnamon Pecan Butter. =-.
This is such a sweet post. I read a heartwarming one too at Maxie’s. Happy birthday to Lexa, I’m sure she gonna have an amazing one with you guys around
.-= andhari´s last blog ..Late Sunday Love List #31 =-.
I love the city too–though it look me coming back to it as an adult to make it that way. Living in Southern Maryland from middle school until I went away to Marshall for college I actually hated living here. I hated the city, I thought this was the last place I’d want to be. But coming back to it, as an adult with the freedom I didn’t have as a kid made me love it. I was free to explore, and found funky dives and culture that I was longing for. Of course, my heart still belongs in England but that’s a whole other story.
P.S. I have been involved my own WV-to-D.C. draft movement…I have two so far, trying to get a few more in here…it seems to agree with members of the Mountain state.
Meeting the three of you was definitely one of the best things to happen to me in 2009.
Love your face and Happy Birthday to ze sexy Lexa.
.-= PQ´s last blog ..Up Up Down Down Left Right B A Start =-.
Happy Birthday to Lexa! And she probably NEVER gets this, but she looks like a hot Tina Fey (and Tina Fey is already hot!). Maybe it’s the glasses but I totally think she does. And people tell me I look like Amy Poehler so she and I could do the weekend updates.
.-= Kellie´s last blog ..Weekly Want-it’s! =-.
if it were really her shoes, you could call her your solemate
I have a solemate. we were wearing the same pair of obscure shoes the night we met.
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Gourdough’s Big Fat Donuts (A Foodie’s HEAVEN) =-.
Happy Birthday to Lexa! Friends that might as well be family are what can really make a place feel like home.
.-= justrun´s last blog ..Winter running must-haves =-.
Happy Birthday to Lexa! She is so lucky to have amazing friends like you and Maxie!
.-= Nickie´s last blog .. =-.
i wish i had the power to make people move to be with me.
i swear i would only use it for good!
.-= fizzgigabyte´s last blog ..Snow… =-.
Having already wished the dear Lexa a happy birthday, I will just say that this is a terribly sweet post and you are a terribly good friend.
.-= restaurant refugee´s last blog ..Second Chances with New Vintages – Part III =-.
Isn’t it wonderful when you have all the people you love in the same place? It’s what makes your house, your home. I don’t like South Dakota all that much, but man. Everyone I trust with my life lives here.
.-= k8´s last blog ..Six Months and Counting =-.
You guys must never stop laughing.
.-= Kristina P.´s last blog ..You Say You Want a Resolution =-.
I cheered a little at my desk. Transients are way overrated. Boo, them. Hooray, Lexa!
Also? You guys=genuinely special. Not even “special” like “mmm, this crayon tastes good” special. Well, maybe a little.
Awww.
So sweet.
Stay tuned, because on Thursday Lilu writes about how she wrote a note with her own feces!
You confuse me.
.-= moooooog35´s last blog ..Doodler Dandy Does Dallas Part Dos =-.
This is so great to see in print, Lori and I have tried to express this about our relo to Florida…we have each other, but our close-knit web of friends is 1300 miles away and it just isn’t home without them.
It’s crazy, how in our 20′s, friends are all the home you need. Not a place, not real family (although thats a bonus), not a boyfriend, but your Girls. They will get you through everything and anything.
It’s a really good look.
aww. you two are fabulous.
Awwww~too cute!
.-= hillbillyduhn´s last blog ..Follower of the Week =-.
I love that you allow your best friends to ride you.
.-= Summer´s last blog ..Faux Finish AND It’s Architectural Capabilities, Who Would HAVE F***ing Figured? =-.
Whoa, I can only count on one hand the times I’ve seen two drunk hot girls ride each other around the kitchen at a party. Thanks for being one of those.
.-= eric´s last blog ..Oh, it’s on… =-.
I heart her too!!
gaaah the dc transients. here’s to keeping all our friends RIGHT HERE STAY PUT KTHX. happy bday, lexa!!
.-= Alice´s last blog ..#spinstertweets =-.
That was very sweet. It’s true, you can’t live off love alone (with a man I mean). You need your friend too!
.-= Nikki´s last blog ..Owl baby shower =-.
There’s absolutely NOTHING like good girlfriends. NOTHING IN THE WORLD!!!
Those kind of friendships are irreplaceable. I am so glad you found them. And that’s one of the reasons I am moving back to California. It’s hard to be away from my favorites.
.-= Grace´s last blog ..Dia de los Reyes y Mi Cumpleaños =-.
Awesome pics! I particularly enjoyed the one where she appears to be riding you…
.-= Paula´s last blog ..NOT SEEING CLEARLY . . . =-.
You know the women that just “get it” when you read posts like these. Thank you for letting us peek into such an amazing friendship!! I’m lucky enough to have a few of these over here and Texas and knowing how lucky you are is what makes it so special.
.-= Gofahne´s last blog ..What 2009 got me to thinking… =-.
Ohhh, yes. The transience factor. I felt it, too. I love that you found a group of kindred spirits that have helped make that city your home, though.
It is a good city. And it is good to see such happiness.
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..Here is what I know now. =-.
Love DC, have tons of friends who LOVE living and working there, you guys certainly don’t seem to be missing any of the fun!
Awww, you are sweetie sweetness!
.-= Lemon Gloria´s last blog ..I just feel like maybe it’s a little phobia-promoting =-.
It’s amazing how women can bond over a good pair of shoes, isn’t it?
Nice post…I’m sure she appreciated the hell out of it. I would.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Random Thoughts =-.
It is amazing how just a couple of strong friends make all the difference in the world. Very uplifting for a Monday.
Friends are the most important thing you can have. You are very lucky!!
This was so effin cute I almost died. Right then.
.-= Brittney´s last blog ..A Little (Less) LaMidge! =-.
This post made me all kinds of happy today. This is part of why I have friends over for dinner every Sunday.
.-= Kendall´s last blog ..This? This Is My Heart. See How It Breaks. =-.
Happy Birthday Lexa!
Friends like that truly do make a place “home”. Recently several of my very good girlfriends have moved away, mostly due to work. And it has left me feeling slightly adrift without them around to be my anchors.
.-= E´s last blog ..Hi Friday. Want to make out? =-.
awwww, you guys are so lucky to have each other:)
.-= hanako66´s last blog ..sometimes you just wake up on the right side of the bed =-.
That was such a sweet tribute. Hooray for friendship!
.-= Cyndy´s last blog ..Squirrels Frolicking in the Snow =-.
so, so sweet!!
.-= jen – tsk´s last blog ..Dessert? No, Thanks. Oh…Go On Then! =-.
Very awesome and inspiring to someone who just moved somewhere new. Happy Birthday to Lexa, and congrats to all y’all for finding people who make a place a home
.-= Doniree´s last blog ..Dancing Down Michigan =-.
I’ve just relocated with my boyfriend, and at first it was hard, but I am so, so thankful one of my best friends lives just 20 minutes away. It’s made a world of difference!
.-= Herding Cats´s last blog ..Another Awkwardtunity =-.
aw! Good friends are such a blessing!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..I LOVE…Fridays!!! =-.
awwwww!! Happy Birthday to Lexa!
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Contextual Intelligence =-.
happy birthday..
great post and great pics too!!!
.-= Randi´s last blog ..Lover Of Google =-.
Best friends are the icing on the cake of life.
If either of you move I will CHOKE A BITCH.
.-= Maxie´s last blog ..My Prettiest Princess =-.
The way best friends make your day better are all so true!
Glad you found some great cohorts; every girl needs a few of ‘em.
.-= Nora´s last blog ..The Weekend of Smiles =-.
Is it just me, or do all you all share some kickin cleavage?
Just saying.
.-= Mike´s last blog ..What the Hell? =-.
Happy Birthday, Lexa!
I’m one of the “transients” you’re referring to, and I both like it and hate it. We move so much because of my husband’s job situation. It is heartbreaking to leave friends behind, and in a way it’s bad because it’s made me start to distance myself from others, knowing that we’ll be leaving again soon. It’ll be great to finally be in one place for more than a year!
So sweet! I love posts about friendships and firmly believe that my girlfriends turned DC from a place to my home!
.-= City Girl´s last blog ..Who knew I was such a sap? =-.
Happy Birthday to one of your besties!!!
.-= blueviolet´s last blog ..Boys Will Be Boys And That’s Not Good =-.
A good friend will:
Ride you like a pony, beer in hand, for an impromptu photo shoot…
See who of you can lick you’re own nipples…
Hold your hair back when you spew…
.-= Karls´s last blog ..Photo challenge =-.
You are absolutely right. But once a masshole…. DC vs Worcester I think you made the right choice
.-= Vodka Logic´s last blog ..The Wonderous World of Social Networking =-.
i have this mental picture of you wiping the corner of your eyes with your favourite hanky while typing up this post. like for real…
happy birthday lexa!
.-= the girl in stiletto´s last blog ...musing on a snowy snowy night. =-.
You are so lucky to have convinced Maxie to move! When I lived in Manhattan for three years, I begged my friends to move just from Long Island – not even a big move! None would. I did meet the most amazing pals once I moved,but always thought it would be great to have my old crew with me in The City. Now I live in the bowels of NJ thanks to meeting my hubs. Ha ha!
Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing
Aww, how sweet. It looks like she’s giving birth to you in that one pic.
I’m leaving NYC next month…and part of the reason is because a good deal of my friends are gone. But I would really love to do that bartending-in-London thing. Except I think I’m too old now to get away with it.
.-= BeckEye´s last blog ..Sonic Sunday: Honorable Mentions =-.
You are so lucky to have great friends…makes me miss my best friend.
Happy Birthday Lexa!
.-= caroline´s last blog ..I got to do it! =-.
So, so true – a group of friends is so important.
.-= san´s last blog ..On a dream come true. =-.
Happy Birthday!!!!! I love bloggy love
Hope you guys enjoy celebrating!
.-= Ams´s last blog ..Oh yes, a VIDEO BLOG! First and last one ever. =-.
Cute photos.
Did you just say that my jokes were shitty? Unbelievable.
*scroll*
Oops, my mistake, sorry about that.
.-= Mo´s last blog ..Guess I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue =-.
I can just see one of these pics being used on the nightly news after your cats finally do you and B in.
.-= Jay´s last blog ..So Much For Effortless Beauty =-.
I love this. Happy birthday Lexaaaa
.-= Chelsea Talks Smack´s last blog ..I’m fucked up AND AWESOME for a reason people =-.
Aw I love this! And dude, I love Maxie so by default that means I love you and Lexa. We need to hang. Seriously.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..battling winter storms, 26 hours in Vegas and swagg =-.
Happy Birthday!
Really good post… It’s so true. I’m in the process of moving out of London with my bf, but I keep rushing bac to London because Lincoln just doesn’t feel like home to me.
Praying to meet some good girl friends… then I know, I can live there.
How sweet are you???
And you’re absolutely right, friends can make anywhere feel like home.
Happy Birthday to Lexa!
.-= Ela´s last blog ..I Could Have Done Without =-.
Love it all. Love the 3 of you. Love good friends.
Love love love. MUSH.
.-= Elizabeth Marie´s last blog ..I Had a Good Weekend. Now I’m Having a Giveaway. =-.
Everyone needs an awesome friend…who’s non-virtual.
Even though those are great…
.-= J´s last blog ..You’re So Vain, I Bet You Think… =-.
1. I have always loved DC and contemplated going to school there and/or moving there for a while.
2. Sometimes I feel Charleston is kinda transient as well. I’ve only been here 2 1/2 years and I’ve already seen plenty of people move on out
.-= Extremely Witty´s last blog ..I AM MAN!!!! =-.
Love this!! Yay!! Happy Birthday to Lexa love.
Even though two of my very best besties moved to DC after school with me…it took meeting BR and SK and V (she was via blog) to really feel like I had a cohesive super close group of soulmates made in DC…a hop skip and a jump away.
Those five years were amazing (with all my other besties in NYC)….and slowly we each started moving all across the country…but like college best friend soulmates, those friends who define your time in DC whether transient or not will stay just as close whether or not they are still here in DC.
I’ve found transient tends to be about 5-6 years…I’m heading on 12 and I feel so so lucky I still have any friends left here and I am outtie soon.
But you guys have so many wonderful years ahead of you in the same city…Enjoy every minute!! I know you will.
Wow, that was a cheesy comment. Sorry. Ha.
Awww…you ladies are so fabulous it hurts sometimes. Hang on to each other for dear life (I know you will). Friends like that don’t come around often
.
.-= Mary´s last blog ..A Better Year, Take 2 =-.
Aw, those were sweet pics. Awesome post.
.-= Sadako´s last blog ..CATS: the Snarkicle =-.
You guys are adorable. I think this is appropriate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVoCJJFuS60
You’re welcome. ^_^
The only things I love more than Flight of the Conchords?
JIM GAFFIGAN.
.-= LiLu´s last blog ..B Tells You What To Do With Your Life, Part I =-.
This is so sweet! I have a Lexa, but her name is Rebecca. The sad thing is that she doesn’t live near me anymore at all. I talk to her about as much as I talk to myself and would hop on an airplane at any moment if she needed me. In fact, we’ve done that already for each other. No notice…just bought a ticket to be there.
It is a wonderful thing to have friends like that. I don’t really “know” you guys, but I sometimes feel like I do. You seem amazingly wonderful to one another.
.-= emily´s last blog ..p.s. =-.
Happy Birthday to Lexa!
I hope that at some point in my life I will have friends like that again. I love where I moved to in many ways, but not having had friends “offline” for the past many, many years has been hard. It DOES, though, give me a deep appreciation for the blogosphere.
.-= MsDarkstar´s last blog ..Ridin’ that train…. =-.
That’s such a beautiful post!!
You are completely right-Real friends are what makes life worth living
Happy Birthday Lexa
.-= Kayla´s last blog ..What is WRONG with This!? =-.
You gals look adorable. Super sweet post. Makes me want to drink, not sure why?
.-= Oxen Cox´s last blog ..A pocket full of change. =-.
awww so very sweet, friends really are the best, arent they?
.-= thepoliticrat´s last blog ..Haiti =-.
Aww! And you’re so right. It’s not a home ’til you really have those friends… That’s definitely how I feel about MoTown, NC.
.-= MinD´s last blog ..Mork & Mindy. =-.
Is she… riding you? That’s hotter than I thought it would be.
Is NoVa ‘North Vagina’? Or North Vaginia? North… Va… I have no idea. DC is near North Carolina right? I’ve driven through it.
Aahh, I have no idea.
.-= Sebastian´s last blog ..JUST DO IT =-.