Celebrate Good Times

Wow. WHAT A WEEK! This week two of my friends from college (and the same fabulous group of ladies famously known as The Breakfast Club) announced their engagements.

Melissa, Me, & Natalie at FSU Baseball Spring 2004

I first met Natalie at a Lady Spirithunters mixer in February 2004. I heard this loud, energetic, hilarious voice and I immediately walked up to her and said "hi I'm Dana, nice to meet you, we're going to be friends." And although she admittedly thought I was a bit crazy we have been friends ever since! Almost ten years later, she has been a true friend. This summer when I was visiting my family in Florida for a couple weeks, Courtney and I took a trip down to visit Natalie in Sarasota. There I met Zack - Natalie's (at the time) boyfriend and now fiance. I could tell immediately this was it for her - she was absolutely glowing! I could not be happier that she has found the love of her life and I wish her all the happiness in the world!

The Breakfast Club at LSH Initiation February 2006

Melissa and I met at some point during spring 2004 also through Lady Spirithunters - although our first meeting could have happened earlier, we really met the night of Lip Sync when Lady Spirithunters came in first place! It was Melissa's birthday in August 2004 that led to the creation of the Breakfast Club - me, Natalie, Kelly, Kristy, and Cara took Melissa to Andrew's downtown for brunch for her birthday. We had such a blast Natalie suggested we do it once a month and I said "yes and we could be the Breakfast Club!" I didn't expect it to stick, but it did. Laura and Courtney were soon part of the gang and throughout the years we've all managed to stay close. I met David, Melissa's now fiance, on a double date in Chapel Hill in February 2010. I brought Nate and she brought David to the West End Wine Bar. When she told me about this adorable dentist who shared her love of board games I knew he was a keeper. I'm so excited for their future together!

Melissa & David at West End Wine Bar Winter 2010 

Zack & Natalie in downtown Sarasota Summer 2012

Congratulations to the happy couples... I'm so excited for you both and wish you a lifetime of happiness!!!

Running Adventures: NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon!

Big announcement! Today I registered to run the Brooklyn Half Marathon - a New York Road Runners race held this year on Saturday, May 18th 2013. I have been wanting to do a half marathon after I ran about half of a half - my 10K last spring!! It's a lot of training but I'm pumped. I have a great training program  - the Hal Higdon Training Guide Novice 1. I love to run outside in the spring and now that March is a few weeks away it feels like winter will finally be over soon - fingers crossed!

I will post more updates soon about my progress, as well as the 5K and 4 mile race I am running in preparation! I will be ready for those 13 miles come May 18th!

Photo Credit: NYRR.org

3 Year Anniversary!

How is it that years seem to go by in a flash - but at the same time feel like so much has happened! It's hard to believe three years ago we started dating back when Nate was living in Orlando, Florida and I was living in Durham, North Carolina. In the 36 months (!!) that we've been together we've traveled the US and the world, moved to New York City, adopted a puppy, and built a life together. I'm so proud of our journey and how far we've come. To celebrate our anniversary we treated ourselves to a nice dinner at Telepan, a restaurant on the Upper West Side.

I'll leave you all with a few photos of all our February 6ths!

2010, West End Wine Bar, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

2011, Amada, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2012, Dovetail, New York, New York

2013, Telepan, New York, New York

Upcoming Adventures Announcement!

2013 is off to an incredible start!!! Already we have adventures in the pipeline that we're super excited about!

March ~ Charlotte, North Carolina for Josh & Melissa's Wedding

We will be spending a weekend in Charlotte as our good friends get married! We are so excited to be part of the celebration!

May ~ Santiago & Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

We will spend five days visiting my sister Jenni, spending the first day in Santiago, the other major city in Dominican Republic besides the capital. Then we will travel to Puerto Plata where we will spend three nights at the Riu Bachata resort. There are some sightseeing opportunities there, including 27 waterfalls (where you jump down all 27 waterfalls) and a cable car to the top of a mountain overlooking Puerto Plata.

June ~ Gainesville, Florida for my 10 Year High School Reunion

I wasn't sure that I would get the chance to go to my high school reunion, but I'm looking forward to seeing my best friends as well as friends I haven't seen in a while.

That's just the beginning... stay tuned to find out where Nate and I will go for his 30th Birthday, as well as a potential Thanksgiving trip that's in the works!

Photo Credit: PuertoPlata.com