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For Alyssa’s prompt, “one thing about today you wish you knew one year ago,” so many things swam through my mind. The one that really stuck out for me though? The fact that no matter how good your intentions are to keep friendships going, if you don’t continue to cultivate them….you will lose them quickly. Cultivating relationships of any kind is so important for happiness.

It is hard to make friends as an adult, can we all agree on that? There are so many different “life stages” to go through and we all hit them at different times. I am 33 and some of my friends had kids ten years ago and are immersed in football games, cheerleading competitions and hosting sleep overs at their house. Other friends had babies in the last year or two and don’t really get out much because babies are a lot of work! So they really only hang out with other friends that have kids around the same age and understand. Then there is the group of friends that are wild and free and are out partying it up every weekend and that just sounds exhausting. We all have work, family or personal obligations, organizations we belong to and really just our own shit to deal with.

What I have learned is, if you don’t continue to make the effort to hang out….then you never will. Sure, you might get that reminder on Facebook that so-and-so’s birthday is today so you leave a message on their wall telling them that you miss them and you should get together soon. You never do. Or while you are standing in line to check out at a fast-casual restaurant, you run in to an old co-worker you used to hang out with all the time and you mention that you guys should grab lunch soon, but don’t set concrete plans.

This is how we lose our friends. You need to do more than just have good intentions, you need to have follow through. I very much regret not keeping in regular contact with a few people that I was very close to when I lived in Atlanta. I regret very much not making actual plans with a girlfriend that I ran into grabbing lunch one day last year. Because you know what, I haven’t seen or spoken to any of them since. And that makes me sad.

I can sit here and say, well they never reached out to me either. But how does that make it better?

So what I wish I could have told myself one year ago, is to keep cultivating the relationships with those that I enjoy having in my life. Life gets busy, but it isn’t an excuse to not make the time to grab a drink or get the kids together for a play date.

What is something you wish you knew a year ago?

One of my favorite memories from when I was younger, is playing games with my family. My mom, sister and I would sit for hours playing board games and card games. I still have plenty of those games and have since added some but we never seem to play them. One of my goals is to play them more often, especially at family get togethers. For my mom’s 50th birthday last year, my sister and I set up an entire day filled with food and board games for my mom. It was so much fun and my nephews still talk about how they want to do it again.

Enter Punderdome. If you have a corny sense of humor or like bad jokes, this game is for you! Here is how you play.

Who does’t like a good pun??? Here are some examples…

While I don’t think Punderdome “will replace Cards Against Humanity,” I do think it is a fun game to play at a get together. Especially if you are trying to keep it cleaner, as the game is 12 and up. We came up with some pretty funny and pretty terrible puns. I just think you have to have the right group of people to make the game fun and it sure can pass the time.

What is your favorite game?

**I received Punderdome from Blogging for Books for an honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Have I ever told you the story of the day that I met you? I was actually there for someone else. Sounds ridiculous, right? There was a male pug that I had come back for that I was going to name Winston. But he had to be kept longer for observation. I remember looking into the room where you all were, and I caught eye contact with you. The other puppies were going nuts and you just sat there staring at me.

A girl came and and got you, I thought maybe someone had come for you or it was time for your bath or something. Next thing I know, she was walking you over to me and putting you in my arms. I was hooked. There was no turning back now. I knew you were meant to come home with me that day and we have been best friends ever since.

You have been through so much with me. I was just out of college when we met and trying to get a “real job” while holding down three part time jobs. I was a mess and you gave me grace. Our life wasn’t perfect but you didn’t care.

You were there for every move I made while working in residential management. There sure were a lot, weren’t there?? You never complained, you always adjusted just fine.

You saw me through a string of bad relationships and breakups, always being there to lick away my tears.

You were there when I met Chris. You didn’t even hesitate to jump in the car the day we left Atlanta to move to Birmingham.

You became a big sister to Mac. Sure, you were a little apprehensive at first but you were quick to become best friends.

I will never forget the first time I came to pick the two of you up from boarding. The vet tech told me that you wouldn’t let Mac out of your sight the entire time we were gone. It melted my heart.

Gracie, you were never just a dog. You were family. My best friend. The most loyal companion. Your love was unconditional. There was not a day that went by that you weren’t ecstatic to see me. And to be honest, I felt the same way about you.

Yesterday was hard. I didn’t want to say goodbye to you. I think we both knew this day was coming. I could tell it was hard on you too. You wouldn’t even look at me when I gave you our last hug. It’s ok, I know you love me. I only hope that you know how much you were loved too.

Gracie Lou

March 10, 2005 – June 23, 2016