mizChartreuse || redefiningSuccess

“I lean against the wind, pretend that I am weightless, and in this moment I am happy.”

It was 90 degrees, sunny, and breezy last Sunday morning. I laid down in the front part of the speedboat, closed my eyes, and listened to the water rushing past me and the laughter of my friends tubing 100 feet behind me. I felt completely at peace; my life was a paradise.

My version of Heaven. And I didn't even have to pray to get there!

I don’t know if you knew this, but I am a millionaire.

The night before had been the rager of the summer. With the exception of a few missing loved ones, the biggest group of my friends came together to celebrate Sean’s and Carrianne’s 30th and 29th birthdays, respectively. My longtime friend Mike and his father, George, were generous enough to allow us to throw the party at George’s gorgeous lakehouse in Poplar Grove, IL.

I’ve always loved connecting people. Thanks to Facebook, social events, and the small world we live in, many people are bound to meet anyway, but over the years I’ve definitely made efforts to be a catalyst in bringing my various circles of friends together. The more the merrier, right? And it doesn’t end with connecting friends; I love supporting my fellow entrepreneurs and sending business their way.

Saturday afternoon, as I looked around at the great group of people floating in the lake, chilling on the patio furniture, dancing in the backyard, chugging beers, and packing bowls, I was amazed.

photo by Luis Rodriguez

photo by Luis Rodriguez

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Tanja and her "melons," in more ways than one. (by Luis Rodriguez)

photo by Luis Rodriguez

Smooth Lou and Phisher Phil

Sean, Danny, Natalie, Brandon. No clue what's happening here!

Before he and I started dating, Sean’s group of friends consisted of his kick-ass group of co-workers and friends he knows from college, high school, and even his childhood. My circle of friends are people I’ve known for years; the majority of them stem in some way or another from the high school days, going to local shows, and my time spent working at Sam Ash.

Either way, Sean and I both have a tremendous number of close peeps, and it was just the coolest thing to see these huge circles come together into one big group of insanity. I’m convinced that if we ever broke up, Shakeel (who was my friend first!) would take Sean’s side and leave me in the dust. I can barely get a word in edgewise when the two are having a conversation. Butt buddies. But it’s okay, because I would take Danielle (who was Sean’s friend first) on my side. We’d take over the world with our “Single Ladies” music video dance performances.

Me, Kathy, and Danielle at Sean's 2009 birthday party

Don’t judge me for this video. I was in a blackout.

*****

I consider myself a millionaire because the things that really matter in my life all stem from the relationships I have and the experiences they bring. Actually, I must be a billionaire, because my friends and all of our adventures are out of this world fun. I use a money metaphor because we’ve all heard the saying: “No person is poor who has friends.” I could be Oprah Winfrey-rich, but if I lived in solitude none of it would be worth it.

I really marvel at how I’ve gotten to the point where I am so fortunate to be part of such a wonderful group of people, and I enjoy thinking back to where it all started.

Me, Angelique and Jaley - beach unicorns

*****

Angelique and I have been friends since I was 12. Allie Constantino, Laura Clarke, Diana Cogdill, Angela Evans, and Chris Insidioso were all Sam Ash employees and remain my best friends to this day. I met Mike Chorvat when he came into the store and I told him I recognized him from the local music scene, and we started hanging out all the time. In a separate incident, this girl Litzy introduced me to Mike’s bandmate Danny Wade at a Downers Grove Heritage Fest in 2004, and he and I hit it off instantly. To this day, Danny’s been one of the few guys with whom I can be most candid and talk about anything.

Angela, Dee, Chris, me at a Stained Glass Palace party in 2006

Danny, Mike, me at Lamplighter Inn, 2006

What would have happened if I hadn’t been academically dismissed from my year spent at Northern Illinois University? Chris would have never had the opportunity to hire me at Sam Ash when I took a year off of college, and I probably would have never met the above people. It all grew from there.

If not for Sam Ash or going to local shows, I also probably never would have dated some of the weirdo dudes I have over the years (Phil Kosch does a wonderful impression of each of my former boyfriends). The worst was a 2-month relationship with a steroid-injecting, emotionally and physically abusive kid who ended up emailing at least 50 of my friends (including my mother!) about how horrible of a gold-digging, selfish woman I am (har har har).

Although the juicehead was psychotic, if I hadn’t met him, I probably never would have met Sean. And now, Sean and I have over 100 mutual friends (which is more than I have in common with people I went to high school with!) and it’s just one giant group of love.

Sara, Natalie and me - the ultimate Hanson pushers

*****

This summer in particular has reinforced how thankful I am for all that I have. My birthday party in June was held at Sean’s friend Kenny’s house in Palatine, and it was a great start to the summer. Then Sean’s party was held at my friend Mike’s dad’s house in Poplar Grove. Of course, it was a joint party for birthday twins Sean and Carrianne, who has been friends with Mike longer than Sean has been, but the point is, I love the fact that  it’s no longer “Sean’s friends” or “my friends.”

Sean and CC, the birthday twins

Bunny, Sarah, and me- fabulous coworkers!

Besties: Shak, me, Jaley and Allie at my bday this year. I met these three in very different ways, but it's all family now!

<3

*****

One of Carrianne’s recent blog posts discussed the differences between guy friends and girl friends (and how women can be the cattiest bitches). I’m proud to finally be in a place where I’m secure enough in my relationships to genuinely love everyone in my giant circle of friends. I’ve eradicated the unnecessary drama and negativity, and life is so much more peaceful when we all just love one another.

I’m very fortunate for all these great people– my friends are who keep me sane; the memories are what bring me joy. Summer’s been flying by, but we’ve been living it up to the fullest and I can’t wait for the events and parties to come.

High fives to life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. And when I make my first actual million (because you all will buy my books, RIGHT?), drinks are on me.