We have these moments. Moments of pure joy, of blissful blessings, of thankful awareness. This past weekend, I had all three.
This past weekend was a Godsend. The hubs was in NC training (others). Being the good man he is, he let me use one of his stand by tickets to meet up with some friends in Asheville. We’d then reunite in Charlotte on Monday for our journey home.
The stand by ticket was a hit or miss, but luckily I caught the last flight out and MADE IT!! That’s some thankful awareness right there!
But then the real blessings happened.
A Birthday spent with some pretty amazing ladies. I met up with Lindsay early on in the day, then Michelle and Lori drove down from Charlotte. We dined, we laughed, we talked, we hugged. Like old friends that had BEEN reunited, yet we have never officially met.
Twin, Lindsay, Twin, Lindsay …. hehe, get the picture?
Photos courtesy of Michelle.
Lunch at Posana. Oh my goodness good!
Photo courtesy of Lindsay
We walked around the Bele Chere festival, checking out vendors, sweating up a storm, and just laughing. Pure JOY!
Lindsay and I were so thankful that the twins came down for the day. It’s amazing what “blends” will do for each other.
After Lori and Michelle left, Lindsay and I got into some trouble. No really, we did. Let’s just say it involved a car getting towed and riding in truck with two men we didn’t know. Ack! Thankfully it all turned out okay and we ended up laughing about it later. 
The last 24 hours were spent hiking and running through the Mountains at Bent Creek Trail, finding random late night meals (think sushi and coleslaw?), sweating our way through a 90 minute Birkram Yoga class, spending way to much time at Earth Fare, watching the Olympics while snuggled up in bed, having amazing conversation, sharing encouraging words, and being thankful for our families/husbands who let us get away for the weekend.
Blessed. .. beyond blessed.
This past weekend just confirmed why I blog. For connection. For beautiful friendships. For TRUE encouragement. For purposeful conversation.
For JOY!
And for that, I am THANKFUL!
Cheers from Stand By Cotter,
LC
p.s.
thank you for all the birthday wishes! I hold them near and dear to my heart.
Glad you had an awesome weekend! I was in Asheville last June and loved it.
You should make NYC part of your travel plans soon. Oooor! Better yet – I’m planning a trip to ATL to visit Laura (Sprint to the Table) we totally make a weekend of it. Seeing as she is down with another visitor.
oh i want to! It’s on my list! and boston! Let’s just all go somewhere!
What a fun wknd! So glad you were able to go!
Can’t wait for the day we get to hang out 🙂
Hugs <3
Awww, this made me so incredibly happy! I felt the exact same way about WHY I blog when I came back from Blend. There are so many fabulous ladies out there…ladies whom I never would have met had it not been for this wonderful community. I love it! I’m so glad the four of you had such a great time together. AND I’m glad you and Lindsay are safe…riding with total strangers?! Please tell me somebody had a rape whistle! Lol
Happy belated birthday my friend…sorry I’m a bit late! xoxox
EXACTLY!! I just wish we all lived in the same city. Now how fun would that be?!
xxoo
Sounds like an amazingly awesome Birthday! Glad you had such a great time. Bikram……oh boy, that is one tough class. Right when I get in there I want to just bend into child’s pose and just stay there lol 🙂
i know, i forgot how bloody hot it was. almost passed out just standing UP!
Amazingly blessed! You are so joyful and purposeful with your words. So much love.
oh friend, i hope i get to spend a weekend (or more) with you and your sweet family. Let’s all move to CO!
Happy belated birthday! Wow, what an amazing weekend. I can feel the joy coming through your writing. So happy for you, you deserve it!
thank you Beth! it was truly a blessing. I will savor the moments.
So much happiness in this post! I love all of the photos and I’m so glad you enjoyed your “standby” trip 🙂
i did.. well, once i was there and no longer stand by. haha.
I am blessed to have met you just once, but feel like I could turn to you for anything.
I’m only sad I couldn’t get down to be there with y’all. 🙂
you can! i am always here for you. I think our once meeting left that bond. hehe. Love you!
I am so happy that you had a wonderful birthday! Now that’s how you spend a birthday : ) Our birthday’s are only days apart! July is the best month for birthdays. That way we get winter clothes for Christmas presents and summer clothes for birthday presents, perfect!
Nicole
now if only we could celebrate our birthdays together!
North Carolina is one of my favorite places in the whole world – it sounds like you had such a wonderful time! Blog-Friends are incredible, as a newbie I’m only just figuring this out haha but it’s awesome! glad you had such an amazing weekend 🙂
they are true blessings. I bet you already know that! <3
That’s so awesome!! Glad you had a good birthday weekend! Still enjoying having my Mom here myself and I am more than THANKFUL for that :-D. I have to say reading BLOGS… one of my FAV things EVA 🙂
oh i am so happy! Enjoy that mom time.
What an amazing weekend! So happy for you 🙂
I’m still planning my CA trip. Or you need to plan your austin trip!
You are so funny! I must say, I’m super jealous that you were in Asheville this weekend! The hubs and I love that place so much that we got married at The Biltmore, and we want to retire there someday. I’m glad you had a good time!
no way!! oh i love it! lets all retire there!
both lori and i are soooo happy and blessed to have you in our life! we had so much fun and look forward to hanging out again!
yes!! i want to plan something again soon. I miss you gals!
Happy late birthday! You are loved and I’m glad you felt it this weekend!
i sure did! now, when you coming to Austin?
😉
What a wonderful weekend!! I so wish I could have been there! 🙂 You were certainly surrounded by lovely ladies this weekend!
they are more than lovely, stunning really. like YOU!
YES! I was so happy to read this! I can feel the happiness all the way over here in NJ! So glad you had a wonderful weekend and a happy birthday. Love the beach hair! Just saying! xoxo
i’m saving my full on beach hair for YOU!
You are glowing in these pictures!! I am so glad you were able to relax and get away and have FUN, though I am a little jealous. We need to meet!
Everytime I think I might stop blogging, I read stuff like this. I think it’s the world’s way of letting me know I’m not ready to give it up yet.
Happy birthday again. Sounds like you’ve got quite the story there…. 😉
thats exactly what i thought. But this fellowship and friendship brought such joy to my heart. I will keep writing for that anyday! now its your turn. Austin bound.
🙂
Oh this looks fabulous, Linds…. and let me just say you look amazing…. hooray for good health, huh?
Look how much fun you girls had! Love ALL of you 🙂
Love you!! How was your bachelorette weekend?
YAY! Glad you had a fun time. You and Lindsay are DARLING, dahling.
Ohhh Darling, wish you were
Wish you were there that is
i really love when bloggers meet up- makes me so happy that people can have this strong connection from all parts of the country/world!
Me too! And that.connection lasts a lifetime
linds this makes me so flippin’ happy . you more than anyone i know deserve a proper super-fun celebration of YOU on your birthday. you are always taking care of others and i am so glad you got a chance to relax and hang w the girls. someday i hope we will have a blogger meet up somewhere in the world! thanks for sharing-love this! 🙂
What she said.
And again, happy birthday.
Keep stretching it out girl…After all now it’s time to celebrate with Hubs.
I sure will! Now you must come swim with me. xxoo
LCCotter July 30, 2012 at 5:42 pm [edit]
I bet we’ve been at Soooo many races and don’t even know it!! that needs to change. Training camp and girls fun!
Aw, you guys are gorgeous!
you are friend
Love this! 🙂 What a FUN way to spend your birthday weekend! Sounds pretty perfect to me…and the ride with the random truck driver only adds to it 😉
yes it was! oh how i wish you could have been there. I need to rub your belly. hehe
asheville is my happy place. so good to hear that you had a great visit.
it sure is! and i loved Charlotte too! maybe i need to move. 😉
Such a blessing to spend time with all your bloggy friends! This post made me happy, you are all beautiful and glowing! Wish I could’ve been there:)
It looks like an incredible time.
It’s so incredible the relationships and connections we can make with others online.
Happy belated too! I hope your birthday was all you could have asked for and more Lindsay!! You deserve it!
it really is incredible! the online penpals we make are more than friends, they are part of us. I adore that!
I always feel so loved when I have my girl friends around me. It’s a different bond than that of a husband, it’s a sisterhood. Glad you had a great weekend!
oh yes, you said that right, a sisterhood!!
So happy that you ladies got to meet up! Must admit I am a bit jealous. What a way to celebrate your birthday!!
I might be in AZ THIS YEAR! If so, will you hang.with me? xxoo
Love it! You girls are all absolutely beautiful and you totally deserved this fun and relaxing weekend. Happy Birthday!!
i see utah in my future, yes? xxoo
I LOVE this!! What an incredible weekend of reconnecting with blends, finding some happy moments and truly enjoying…and for your bday weekend no less! I love it. PS you ladies are SUPER cute!! PPS I’m jealous, I miss your face!!#cometobostonsoonplease
i know!! i need to get there. I just wish it were direct, then i could! Charlotte was direct. I need you to come here. after marathon of course.
Doh! I’m sorry I’m late with the birthday wishes: Happy Birthday (a wee bit delayed…)
Your weekend sounds like heaven to me! I wish I could go for long runs and do Bikram yoga with a bunch of besties every Saturday and Sunday 🙂
xxx
we hiked but still, it’s just about the time together. And i know I would have loved it if you were there. XXOO
Oh, how fun! And how much I would have LOVED to have been there with you ladies!
oh we wanted you there too! gosh, you were so close too! We should have driven to see you.
Stand By Cotter! glad you made it, glad you had such a wonderful time – I would have loved to join you all! <3
you know i miss you. I say that a lot, but I do meant it.
Sounds like your girls had such an amazing time! Last time I was in Asheville, I wanted to try Posana so badly, but didn’t have time. Guess I’ll have to go back. It’s only 1.5 hours from Mooresville, so next time I’ll hitch a ride with Lori and Michelle 🙂
PS- Happy belated birthday!
that just means we will have to go back and all go! Deal?!
Oh girl you so deserved that fun weekend!! Glad you were able to hook up with friends and recharge!
thank you Jan. It was really special. Corny but true.
Lindsay you look gorgeous, and we wear the exact same style form the cut off shorts, to the toms, and flowy tanks. Love it 🙂
oh girl, i think we were separated at birth. Or maybe you are just my little sister that i never had!
Oh this weekend looked utterly perfect!! Even with the tow truck!!! What a fun weekend, I LOVE all the smiles and you look full of joy. And I am so jealous!! I wish I was there!!
i wanted you there too! SO bad! Ugh, we need to live closer.
YAY! Glad you had so much fun!! Gotta love vacations with good friends! Happy Birthday! 😉
it was soo needed! a girls weekend. Oh yes!
xxoo
awww yay! glad you got to meet up! LOVE the green shades!
totally 80’s eh? It was wonderful, thanks friend.
Oh my gosh you all are too cute! It does sound like a blissful weekend and so glad that you all enjoyed some great times together.
I’m so happy that you had an amazing birthday weekend, Lindsay! If anyone deserves it, it’s you. I wish we could meet – I feel like we’re soul sisters! 🙂 Anyways, you’re amazing and this post filled me with so much love, so I can only imagine how much love YOU felt. Blessed indeed, my dear friend!
i think we are too friend! soul sisters. Love that! let’s make that meet up happen soon.
You ladies are so gorgeous! This post brought a little tear to my eye… emotional much? Haha. Really though, I can totally relate, and it makes me smile just thinking about the beautiful friendships and relationships I’ve made through my little blog. xoxo
i am emotional reading your comment. I love it. and i feel such love in your words. Oh gosh, we all need to live closer. Love you!
I felt nothing but joy and happiness reading this post! 🙂
oh good! we want to pass that along.
Asheville is such a beautiful place! I went to school in Raleigh and unfortunately never got to visit but have heard amazing things. NC is a wonderful place! Very envious of all the hiking and running you got to partake in; NC really brings a whole new meaning to nature!
oh man, i love Raleigh too! such an amazing place and such kind people. Didn’t want to leave.
Asheville, the perfect getaway. Amazing food and beer, and bonus you had your besties. Love this!
yes, but still missing a few, like YOU!
What a fabulous group of girls! Seriously, all of you are amazing and beautiful! I really hope to meet the twins one day and YOU!
So glad you had a wonderful birthday weekend!!! <3
we missed you dearly! but you were bragged about of course. We love YOU!
Glad you had such a fun weekend. Love all the smiles. 🙂
When is your next getaway? I think you deserve one mama!
I am so glad you got to go on that trip. What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday too!
it really was. This makes me want to have everyone live close by, ya know?
SO AWESOME! What a great weekend! Love seeing all you girls together!
yes, now we all just need to be together and have fun, right?
Happy birthday! So glad you made it to NC and had a great time!
i did! and i didn’t want to leave!
I am so glad you had a much needed great weekend with friends!When I met up with the twins last month, I swear it was just like meeting up with old friends! Such a great comforting feeling. Have a safe trip home my friend!
they bragged about you, which they should. Now we all want to come visit!
sigh. so jealous of this weekend!!
lets do it again next weekend and all go!!
The genuine smiles say it all – great pics, gorgeous gals! 🙂
Asheville is on tap for a Fall or Spring trip; I’ve never been and it’s one of the only places in the state that D is up for traveling to, ha.
i think Austin needs to be on that list First! 😉
You are all adorable!!! sounds like the perfect weekend 😀
indeed it was friend. <3
Asheville, on my to-do list! Sounds like you had a great time! I’ll be very close to the region this coming Fall for a girlfriend trip of my own, hiking in the Smokies, but don’t think I’ll have a chance to zip over to Asheville. Maybe next time. Enjoy those girlfriend trips, they are such great reprieves from the day to day and we all need them now and then 🙂
oH I sure did! what an amazing time! and a beautiful city. Love those mountains!!
First of all, happy belated birthday!
Second, that looks like an incredibly epic and phenomenal weekend. What more could you ask for?
no much more. pretty special. I feel honored. Thanks for all the wishes Abby.
Love this post. Blogging is full of blessings…all of the friendships are an amazing perk. Wishing you a great week ahead.
thank you Katie! now if only we could all be in the same city, right? haha.
Fun! I really enjoy Asheville, and I bet it was great attending a festival there.
it was so fun! lots of people watching too! ha
OH how wonderful. What a great and grateful post to read first thing in the morning. Love it Lindsay – can’t wait till the day I get to meet you – it’s got to happen someday!
it must! i would love it petra. Any US trips soon?
This weekend WAS pure bliss!! I loved the fellowship – you’ll have to read my post today! 😉
i love you dearly friend!
it was PURE bliss and a blessing to be real, to love, and to FELLOWSHIP! I can’t wait to come back or come to TX. Bring the whole family!
it made ME SMILE how loved and adored you are.
Our turn is next