The Blessing of Friendship

I am still on a high from this weekend. It could not have been more wonderful.

Friday night's fundraiser was a huge success! I think we had about 20 people there, and in total, we raised over $350! A lot of that money came from tip jars I had on the bar. I really enjoyed bartending, and I think I got the hang of it by the end. The Field House totally hooked us up with a huge amount of food. Everyone seemed to have an amazing time. I just felt so blessed to have so many friends come out to support this. Our realtor and friend, Tim, and his girlfriend, Kim, Dave, Mike, Becca, my teammate Jeff and his wife, Nicole (and their infant Sophia!), Andrew and Joanne, Kristin and 4 of her friends, Jen and Lori, my hero Michael of course, and THEN Andy and Jess showed up!! I was so shocked when they walked in. I haven't seen them in over a year. Michael was in on the secret. I don't know how he kept that from me, but I'm so glad he did. Jen, Lori, Andy, Jess, and Kristin all stayed over. We had so much fun.

The next morning, I had to take Peter to get some shots at the vet (he was a trooper), and then we all had some breakfast and chilled. After Andy and Jess left, Jen, Lori, Michael, Kristin, and I went into the city and checked out the Reading Terminal Market. Then Lori had seen something about Eastern State Penitentiary, so we went there and did the tour. It was so much fun! Then everyone went home, and Michael and I crashed.

Sunday morning, I had to run 12 miles. Michael offered to come with me and run the beginning lap. We went to Cooper River, and we stuck together for most of the loop. Michael did a 5k! Then he waited in the car for another 90 minutes for me to finish. What a guy! I did really well. I averaged a 9:00-mile, and I finished in 1 hour, 56 minutes. That was the longest distance I've ever done alone or not in a race. It was a little boring, but being with Michael at the beginning really helped. And he seemed to like going out on a Sunday morning like that. I hope we'll do it again. We were like such yuppies getting up early to work out together. All we need is a Mini Cooper and a Jack Russell terrier, and we'd be set.

Then we went to Linda and Mike's for football and had an awesome time. We were seriously asleep at 8:30pm. What a fabulous weekend! I did a quick 2-miler this morning to keep my muscles from cramping up, and I feel great.

I sent out thank-you emails to my friends who came on Friday, and I got so many back saying that they were "inspired" by me. Are you kidding?! It's the other way around, people. I don't know how I would even come close to accomplishing any of this without my friends. I am the luckiest girl in the world. Thank you to all who have supported me throughout this journey.

In 82 days I will run 26.2 miles in honor of all of you!!