Getting To Know You: Cait

Two years ago I launched this series in an effort to get to know the people I was spending every day with a little deeper. Since moving to Dallas I’ve expanded my small circle just a little bit wider. I’m bringing this series back to highlight the relationships in my life that influence me. You can read more about the beginning of this series here and here and read all of the posts in it here.

The story of how I met Cait is a wild one. Five years ago I attended the Passion conference, a Christian conference aimed at high school seniors to college seniors. At this conference, where there can be up to 25,000+ attendees, they break you up into colors of about 1,000-3,000 people. Then they break you up into family groups of 10-12. This particular year I met a girl in my family group named Stephanie. We’d appointed Stephanie to be the leader of our group and at the end of the conference we decided to stay in touch via social media. We lived in completely different states; I in Texas and she in North Carolina. Last year I posted this picture on Instagram. Apparently, one of Stephanie’s friends had just moved to Dallas the month before also and she thought we should hook up. At this point I’m thinking this girl must live in one of the suburbs of Dallas and couldn’t be that close to me.

After Stephanie tagged us both in her comment on my photo, a Cait Butt private messaged me offering to help me move in and gave me her number. Turns out, Cait lived less than 10 minutes from me! I didn’t need any help that day, but she messaged me again a couple of weeks later and had an extra ticket to Shakespeare in the Park, an outdoor ampitheater that shows, you guessed it, Shakespearean plays in the summer. I met Cait and three other brand new people that day. We sat on a blanket and she brought wine and cheese and fruit and we had a picnic and watched Romeo and Juliet. Despite having just moved to Texas a month before, she welcomed me with open arms. Because that’s who she is.

Late last year, her roommate got engaged. (THE WEDDING WAS BEAUTIFUL.) They were breaking their lease and Cait needed a new apartment. After one in Grapevine half an hour away fell through, she texted me and one or two other people asking for prayer and any advice on what to do. She had to be out of her current place by that weekend. We had always joked about how funny it would be if she ended up moving into my 12-unit building. Two people moved out at different times in the months leading up to Cait needing to be out, but they were leased already and Cait wasn’t ready to move just yet.

The day Cait texted me in a panic, I looked out my back window. One of my very long time neighbors was pulling a U-Haul into the parking lot. I could not move my hands and fingers fast enough to text my apartment manager about that place. She said Cait should come by the next day for a showing. I was crossing my hands and fingers and feet and heart all day. Daniel, the greatest landlord on the planet, was there and so was one other applicant. I was nervous and so was Cait. But the place was so perfect for her. A couple days later I got the news. Daniel decided to give the place to Cait. The winning factor? That she was my friend. And that she is.

Cait is warm. She is welcoming and outgoing. Actually, outgoing is too mild a word for her. I think it’s safe to say that 100% of the people she’s met so far in Dallas she has either walked up to or gone to a place or party where she knew no one. Save the ones she’s met online. 😉 Cait is bold and smart. She’s decisive and full of self-discipline. At the moment I’m writing this she’s finishing up a three week juice cleanse. THREE.WEEKS. HOW. She’s loving and full of family. She’s rich in friendships and knowledge. She’s a photographer. A creative. A leader. A friend. I don’t think anyone that knows Cait has ever felt unwelcome in her presence. I sure haven’t.

Every time you see her you will be greeted with a big, genuine hug and a question about your life. She’s invested and genuine and real. She never hesitates to be known or share her life with you. That’s her whole goal, actually. I didn’t even have to ask her any questions for this post because she makes herself so well known. Cait wants to share her life with you. And I am so changed because of the fruits of that. I am one of the fruits of that. I know that if I need a lime or a cup of sugar or some ice I can knock on her door and she’ll help me out. I know that she’s always down to experience something new with me.

Her moving into my building was a literal answer to my prayers. I was lonely and depressed and God moved a friend four doors down. Daniel joked we should set up cans and strings between our doors so we could constantly talk to each other. Why haven’t we done that yet?

Cait has introduced me to new foods, new places, countless new people, new things, new music. I got to meet and hang out with the dudes of Jared and the Mill a couple of times and I’m now apart of a small group for a church I’ve never even visited because of her. Now those people are an invaluable part of my life.

Today marks one year since I met Cait. I cannot say enough about this person. She is good. She is beautiful. She is my friend.

Happy Friendaversary! I love you!

 

xx

 

PS. Girl really loves coffee, y’all.

Getting To Know You: Stephanie

Two years ago I launched this series in an effort to get to know the people I was spending every day with a little deeper. Since moving to Dallas I’ve expanded my small circle just a little bit wider. I’m bringing this series back to highlight the relationships in my life that influence me. You can read more about the beginning of this series here and here and read all of the posts in it here.

Two years ago when I was starting the process of rebuilding my life with no job and trying to finish school, I kept begging my friends that sang as paid singers in the local Presbyterian church to put in a good word for me. Or quit and let me have their spot. In the fall of 2014 I finally snagged a spot and sat in a room full of mostly strangers for a month or so before Stephanie decided I looked cool enough to befriend. She literally walked up to me one day and we’ve been friends ever since. She still tells me that I looked like I’d be a good person to know, so she decided to know me. Makes me feel all fuzzy.

This is how I picture her. Constantly laughing so loud other tables look over at us. That or stone faced after telling me some stupid joke. Stephanie teaches middle school and god bless her amirite. She currently lives back in east Texas but is MOVING TO DALLAS THIS SUMMER! ‘Bout time.

The day these photos were taken we shut down a local coffee shop without realizing it. I just thought everyone was leaving because we were unbearably loud. “Can we help you ladies with anything else? We’re actually closed.” Oh. My b.

Stephanie laughs louder than anyone I know. She knows how to have a good time and sometimes forces me to do things I wouldn’t have done without her. I confided in her about my entire life and she’s never once judged me, but sympathized with me and shared just as much back with me. We don’t see each other regularly, but she’s one of those friends that feels like you just saw her yesterday. It’s always comfortable and familiar with her. Anyone who knows her feels that about her. I remember when we were both singing in the Presbyterian choir we could look at each other and not stop laughing because we were thinking the exact same thing. We were eventually separated. #classic

I appreciate that she can text me or call me up anytime and be down to hang. Reliable, funny, and challenging. My friend! Can’t wait until you move here!

Love you!

 

xx

Getting To Know You: A New Introduction

Remember a year and a half ago when I did a series on this blog called Getting To Know You where I interviewed my friends? Believe it or not, I’ve met a lot of new people since then. Moving to a city will do that to a person. So it’s about time I brought it back!

This series started because I wanted to document the friendships I had at that time in my life. (You can read more about why I originally started the series here.) Those are still the reasons! But more than that, dealing with anxiety brings a whole mess of its own issues and this series forces me to spend one-on-one time with those that I might normally do that with and those that I wouldn’t. It forces me to be comfortable in a possibly uncomfortable situation.

I’m working on a lot of stuff right now, the main one being getting plugged into a city where I only know a handful of people. (The majority of whom I work with.) I want this series to give me an excuse of sorts to snap photos of new people and to engage in conversations with them. Plus I just really like hanging out with people. So there’s that, too.

 

I can’t promise it’ll be on a weekly schedule like it was the first time, but it’ll be happening on the reg, I guarantee it.

Getting To Know You: Rudy

I had always wanted a brother growing up. I had a sister so it just seemed right to complete the gender collection with a brother. I remember telling my parents this all the time and one day mom told me to go pray for one. A few days later they both told us we were gonna have another baby. From the first ultrasound we nicknamed it Bean Boy. When we found out it was a girl I remember feeling disappointed. I remember exactly where I was sitting in the room and the moment the nurse said it was a girl, and trying to seem happy but really feeling let down. I quickly got over it and have never ever regretted having another baby sister.

On March 15, 1999 we were all in the waiting room outside my mom’s hospital room. I remember Rudy’s first cry and being so excited. The first time I saw her and held her was the first time I had probably held any baby. Shel and I were basically twins growing up and Rudy became our baby sister. She made everybody laugh with her sass unfortunately learned from me and all my friends. She was Rudy-Tooty-Fresh-and-Fruity for years and now we taunt her with the nickname Ruby. (Try it. It’s fun.)

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Probably a real awkward picture of us.

Rudy’s 15 now, but still 10 in my eyes. I look at pictures from four years ago and she seems like such a child. When did she turn into a driving teenager? It’s crazy. I let her drive us home from band practice the other night. Not surprisingly, she’s great. Natural, just like everything else.

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If our names were a hashtag, what would it be?
#rizzytizzy

What do you remember about when we first met?
I met you when I was born, so nothing.

When is your birthday?
March 15, 1999.

How do you relax when you’re stressed?
Watch YouTube videos.

What makes a place home for you?
Stuff from the past.

What’s your biggest passion? Something that makes you really happy like what you were put on this earth to do.
Doing makeup. (She’s pretty gewd.)

What’s your favorite time of day?
Morning/afternoon.

Pet peeves?
Everything besides me.

And keeping with the teenager vibe she answered these questions just like a teenager. 10/10 thumbs up.

Rudy’s still sassy and headstrong, just like me. It’s kinda like watching myself grow up which is weird and totally awful at the same time. But we’ll get through it. If she doesn’t kill us with her driving. (lolol)

It’s hard to believe that in just a couple years she’ll be graduating high school and then going to college and becoming an adult. Seems like just now I’m becoming an adult. I can’t wait to see what she does with her life.

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Love ya, Ruby. 🙂

xx

Getting To Know You: Shelby

I first met Shelby when she was born a year and two months after me. I don’t remember anything about that encounter but I remember lots about the years since. As kids Shel and I were often mistaken for twins. We hated it growing up but basically embrace it now.

Shel and I have a lot of parallels in our personalities but there are a lot of differences. We share the biggest love you’ve ever seen for Anberlin and crush hard on all the members. God has called us both to the worship leading scene but is taking us there very differently. For example, as most of you might know, Shel is heading to Waco in just a few short weeks to attend Truett Seminary and getting her Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in Worship Leadership. (Supes fancy.) Me? No. I’m done with school. Forever. I could not be more proud of her for shooting for her dreams and being ambitious and hardworking and independent. Those traits are specific to her. Shel had no problems moving two hours away to A&M Commerce for school and living basically alone for three years, and then no problems shooting off to Waco where she knows not a single soul and living for three more years. I can’t even imagine.

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Shel’s heart is dedicated to worship and everyone sees that and admires that in her. Our church is rooting for her and praying for her on her new Waco journey as she walks into the doors God is opening for her.

Humor? Fuggedaboutit. We laugh constantly. So. Many. Inside. Jokes. And so many fun mini road trips seeing each other and listening to Anberlin or worship music and laughing our butts off at something completely stupid. (That’s basically our entire family, though.) We have so much fun together and I couldn’t ask for a better sister to do life with. It’s just fun.

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She’s creative and smart and takes all my outfit pictures and inspires me to be a better photog hobbyist. She’s great with kids naturally, something I am not. I admire a lot of the qualities in her that I don’t have.

If our names were a hashtag, what would it be?
#sisterswag

What do you remember about when we first met?
Nothing whatsoever. Probably because I had just exited the womb. (Ew.)

When is your birthday?
November 20.

How do you relax when you’re stressed?
I hate being around people when I’m stressed, so I isolate myself, pray (praying helps a lot), and probably watch a movie to take my mind off of it. Most likely Harry Potter.

What makes a place home for you?
I know it’s super cheesy, but anywhere is home to me if my family’s there. (Are they crying yet?)

What’s your biggest passion? Something that makes you really happy like what you were put on the earth to do.
I have zero doubt that I was put on this earth to worship. I love to sing, but singing doesn’t satisfy the deepest part of me, worshiping does. And I want to spend my life doing that, and helping others feel that same satisfaction that only Jesus offers.

What’s your favorite time of day?
For everyday, the evening Golden Hour wins hands down. But I also love stars, so it’s kind of a tie between the Golden Hour and any really clear night.

Pet peeves?
Complaining and negativity. I hate it.
And hearing people’s chewing sounds makes me crazy. (SHE’S ONLY SAYING THIS BECAUSE SHE HATES THE WAY I CHEW.)

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Her favorite color is turquoise. If Shelby were a color she would be turquoise. Her cat Ike is her child. So much so that everyone of us hates him because he’s so spoiled. She’s really good at food. And by that I mean making new things that are totally delicious that takes me to fun restaurants she found on the internet. We go to concerts and make it a whole day and shop and eat and drive and have fun. Eating is the main part, though.

I haven’t fully realized that she’s leaving in a few weeks and I will miss her. SO much. But the trips visiting will be that much more fun, I just know it. And seeing what she does with the kick-butt apartment? I can’t wait.

 

Love you, Shel.

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xx

Getting To Know You: Mom

There’s no possible way to explain to you in one blog post who my mother is. But I’ll try.

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My mom is comfort. She’s hospitable and incredibly considerate. If someone is coming over she spends several days making sure the house is spotless and presentable, enlisting us girls to help.

Cooking? Forget about it. This entire town knows about her food and her lemon squares go first at any function. She had a cake business called Crumbs and Crayons where she baked (incredible) cakes and drew invitations and prints or whatever you’d like really. She’s recently dropped the ‘Crumbs’ and just calls is Charlotte Taylor Creates. Check her out. And I’m not just saying that because I’m her daughter. Her illustrations are unique and sweet. Love. (Also check her out in the Wedded Bliss with a cooking article every issue!)

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Mom is genuine. Her feelings and emotions run deep and sincere, something she’s passed on to the three of us. This makes her a servant. A cook for others, a selfless woman that’ll do anything for others. A blessing and a curse, probably.

She’s also beautiful. I see more of her in me everyday and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you, mom.

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xx