Forever Friends: Like No Time Ever Passed At All

Posted on September 6, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

I was so lucky that I got to see all 3 of my high school best friends this week, both in LA and Dallas, and my heart feels completely full again.

With Jenny and Allison at Villa-O in Dallas. I’ve been friends with Allison since elementary school, and with Jenny since 11th grade.

With Suzanne Karotkin, whom I've been friends with since 6th grade

With Suzanne Karotkin at Soho House in Los Angeles, whom I’ve been friends with since 6th grade

Too many good memories with these girls to count…most of them filled with more laughter than you can imagine.

The kind of laughter that makes your sides hurt, and tears run down your face.

Over 26 years of friendship, and life brings a lot.

Success, failure, sickness, health, love, heartache, birth, death, triumphs and tragedies, but your best friends are always there throughout it all.

There might be moments you miss, but you always know they’re there and you’ll come back together again.

I love those moments.

The moments when we get to come back together…and it feels like no time ever passed at all.

xoxo,
Dawn

Quote Book: Friday, September 21st, 2012

Posted on September 21, 2012 by BeautyFrosting

Tomorrow I’m hosting a bridal shower for my best friend of 23 years, Suzanne, with my oldest friend of 25 years, Allison. I had to share this quote with you today because it makes me think of both of them and the many, giggle-filled Friday nights we spent in our hometown of Dallas together. They are so precious to me.

Memories may get fuzzy but friendship never fades.

xoxo,
BF

Friends never fade...

“Years from now, I won’t remember every Friday night – or the things that made us laugh so hard that our stomachs hurt, but I will always remember that you were the ones who were there.”

(Unknown)

As Jenny checks “Yes” today…

Posted on May 26, 2012 by BeautyFrosting

Friends.

Friends make the memories that tell the story of our lives.

I am home this weekend, in Dallas, for one of my best friend’s weddings.

In milestone moments like these, memories flood my thoughts and leave me smiling.

Last night, while nightswimming (ask REM if it’s a verb), George Strait’s “Check Yes or No” came on my iPod.

It was too perfect. I always think of Jenny, the bride-to-be, blaring this song on her car stereo, in high school, when I hear this song about love and how simple it can be.

Jenny & BF: Episcopal School of Dallas Graduation 1996

Songs are the soundtrack to our lives.

Lots of songs remind me of Jenny and our fun times in high school.

And here one was playing on the eve of her wedding to Jon, whom she met in high school and began dating later.

Wow. She checked “yes” as you can see.

Jenny & Jon: The newlyweds-to-be

When I think of Jenny, I think of toll road drives (driving to the end of the world as we knew it – there’s REM again),lemonade and JD’s Chippery cookies (the best in the world), sneaking away for lunch at Bubba’s, our trip to Destin with our dear friend Allison & my family, Cancun Spring Break ’95, Europe ’96 and Jenny and I skipping school in our senior year to go see my depressed Papaw at the sale barn in Durant, Oklahoma after my beloved Nanny passed away. Don’t hate us for that last one, Mr.Eason.

We were together through thick and thin. And she’s one of those rare friends who is there for you when you most need it.

Those memories never die. They live on as long as we do.
And friendships born in those memories are always there in one incarnation or another.

As VP (me) & Secretary (Jenny) of Student Body at ESD

What has Jenny given me over the years?

Jenny & me

She taught me to care a little less about what people think of me (still working on that one), that faith can get you through the hardest of times, family is most important, and, most of all, that you have to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes and not to take yourself so seriously.

Laughter is the language of friendship

She also taught me that it’s good to have a best friend along for those moments when the laughter doesn’t come as easily.

When I think Jenny, I think laughter.

ESD Senior Prank Day with Jenny

And today, while there may not be a lot of laughter, there will be plenty of smiles as Jenny and Jon look out into the crowd.

Congratulations Jenny & Jon!

May you be as happy the rest of your lives as you are today…

and may there be LOTS of laughter.

xoxo,

BF’s BF: Happy.

Posted on April 13, 2012 by BeautyFrosting

I got a voicemail last Friday and it went a little something like this:

“It’s very important you call me. I love you. Bye.”

My best friend, of 23 years, Suzanne was the caller.

OhMyGoodness, OhMyGoodness, OhMyGoodness!
She’s engaged!!!

Gaines popping the question to an unassuming Suz in a field of bluebonnets

I knew it was coming. She met the love of her life almost a year ago and has been blissfully happy.

And that makes me happy.

Suz and I met at the Episcopal School of Dallas when we were in 6th grade.

Suz & Me: ESD Cheerleading days

My mom and Nanny always called us Mutt & Jeff. Some reference to a classic tv show. I don’t know who they are but they called us that because we were polar opposites.

I was a 5’9, brown-haired, brown-eyed, clutzy, makeup-loving, singing social butterfly and entertainer. She was a 5’1 flaxen-haired, petite, blue-eyed, stylish, graceful, spunky fashionista.

I called her Skippy. She called me Evening Shade.

We used to write notes about boys (I’d correct her spelling). We had countless sleepovers (where she helped my fashion-unsavvy self learn about good fashion sense). We were cheerleading tryout partners (I was the base and she was the top, natch). She inspired me to wear wind shorts (note: they didn’t look half as cute on my 5’9 frame as they did on her 5’1 frame). And we shared everything. Oh, and we had spats of course! Good ones! But we always came back to what mattered: being there for each other.

Over the years, we have been there for each other during everything.

As bridesmaids in our friends', Cullen & Allison Dickey's wedding, in Santa Fe

New jobs. Shows. Moves. Successes. Breakups. Deaths. Family Tragedies. Family Drama. New loves. Ah yes, new loves! More on that later.

She visited me in Nashville and Los Angeles. We have worked together on shoots. We have sunned in La Jolla.

Just a couple of girls in La Jolla

And we’d always meet up over the holidays in Dallas to exchange our super thought-out bday gifts for each other (we’re 9 days and 1 sign a part – she a Scorpio and I a Sagittarius). My favorite gifts have been from her.

Car dancing to "Everybody Wants You" in Dallas

And now, after an exciting career in New York and Paris, she had found her Texan man.

Back where it all started.

So I called her back. She was elated. Ecstatic. She told me, “Gaines and I were taking photos in our matching western shirts in a field of bluebonnets. He said there was something wrong with his boot. I had no idea. He knelt down and pulled out a ring. I really just thought something was wrong with his boot!” Always the stylist, that Suz.

I screamed. Naturally. Spoke with that amazing man, Gaines. And couldn’t stop grinning.
Then she sent me these pictures. And every time I look at them, I get the biggest, broadest smile.

Because seeing her so happy makes me SOOO happy!
See for yourself. He literally swept her off her feet.

Suz & Gaines - She said YES!!

So today’s BF QOD is dedicated to Gaines and Suz.

I can’t wait to share yet another milestone with my BF.

Love you guys!

xoxo,

BF Asks: Who is your BF? How did you meet?