Thursday, October 11, 2012

Friday Nights.

Friday nights used to consist of getting dressed up, going out for drinks, dancing and staying out until the wee hours of the morning. 
I can remember going out on Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night every weekend. I can remember pulling all nighters. 
I can remember that wild girl. No one could tell her what to do. Nothing could phase her on a Friday night.
I was indulgent in my ways of self destruction.
    I always say that life is full of chapters. This...was one of mine.
    I show these photos for no other reason but because they were once my life.
    I'm not proud of them. In fact, I took them off of this post twice before deciding to keep them.
    I decided to keep them up because they are truth. They are who I once was.
    I am not proud of them, but I'm not ashamed to show you who I used to be either. Life is a learning experience, right? 
    And oh, what I've learned!
    In those moments, I was a wild child. 
My Friday nights look a lot different now.
Instead of putting on make up and picking out an outfit, I watch Scarlett play in the bathtub, lotion her up and then put on her 
cozy pajamas. Instead of dancing to heart pounding beats, I read Olivia or The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the 80th time in a month.
Instead of drinking until I can't stand, I put my sleepy babe in her bed and then sip on a glass of wine
 of which I never usually finish, and write for an hour or so.
I have talked about what a different life that I lead now. You can read about that here.
I used to love going out and doing whatever my heart spontaneously pleased.
Now, my wants are much different. On Friday night, I want to cuddle my Scarlett to sleep and then cuddle her Daddy as I fall asleep.
 I want movie nights and time spent together as we lay in bed. No tv. No distractions. Just us.

Some might think that my diametric Friday nights are lame. Or boring.
But to me, they are perfect.
Most times in life, you have to see the difficult to appreciate the good.
Or experience different types of living to realize what life is all about.
I'm not saying that nightlife is all bad. It's good to get out now and then. I love my girl's nights or date nights.
But when you've lived the wild child life long enough, you get bored of that same old scene.
You start to realize what really matters.
And to me, it's my family. My Scarlett. My Ty.
To be honest, deep down, I was always waiting for the important things to come along.

Friday nights are a lot different now. I'm pretty happy about that.


11 comments:

  1. I should post some pictures from when I was in college. Might make you feel better. Everyone has something they aren't proud of. Things that they've done or said. But it's how we learn. How we grow. How we become who we are now and who we will be.

    Hayley
    www.hayleysworld.com

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  2. I fully agree with Hayley, and with the words of this post. I think there are chapters, or at the very least pages, in everyones life they may not look back fondly on. Changing and growing is what makes life fantastic. And you seem like you are in such a great place now and it's beautiful that you can appreciate how great it is :)

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  3. There is no better way to spend a Friday night than the way you described. And I was just like you (used to be) decades ago. Saturday was spend "hung", big time. Now though, we are "no electronics whatsoever" from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. We enjoy each other's company, we eat nourishing food and we do our best to feed our souls. It works and it is a beautiful thing. How beautiful you found the truth at such a young age. xo

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  4. Looks like we would have been friends in our wild child days. Glad I had the experiences, but so happy to never have to relive them....ever again.
    xo

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  5. This is an awesome post, Lauren. I can't think of anything better than spending a Friday night with family. Though I'm not a mother yet, I can bet anything that I won't be trading any of my cozy nights @ home for the crazier nights I had in the past. :) you have a beautiful life and heart!
    Wishing you many more happy Friday nights. Xoxox
    Maria

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  6. This is sooo sweet, I often wonder how my life will be different after I have children! Doesn't seem all that bad! I found you at The Pleated Poppy link up. I have found a lot of inspiration in your blog! I'm very happy to be your newest follower and I can't wait to see what you come up with next!

    xx
    Serena
    http://theserenasaga.blogspot.com

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  7. lauren, i love this. it's so beautiful.

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  8. Great post! I'm glad you kept the pictures up--you should never be ashamed of your past :)
    -meandmr.com

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  9. You are who you are today bc of your past. Never look back on it with sadness or regret. It's gotten you to were you are today.

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  10. I'm happy for you that those most important things have come along. Being content with a Friday night like you have described is such a beautiful thing. Truly, it is one of the greater gifts in life. Don't get me wrong, I love a good night out just like the next girl but to be content in moments of family life is what it's all about. My favorite is when everyone of my family of 5 are all home, happy, healthy and doing their thang! It's the bomb diggity!!

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  11. It is just great to see that you are one of the many few people (now a days, at the least) who are not afraid to speak about their past and have admit to have learn from a lot it. Honestly that is the best thing a person can do. You are a good woman love. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

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Thank you for all your comments & kind words!! I reply in the comments section so check back if you have a question :) xo