happy birthday CoCo.

there are just some people who come into your life...and they never leave.

and that's exactly how you want it.

one such person in my life is the darling Co Bartel. ya'll know her. she's a legend in our Princess world. and we all love her. why? because she's fabulous. and wonderful. and gorgeous. and amazing. and giving. and loving. 

and pretty much one of my most favorite people.

ever.

in the world.

I literally wouldn't be where I am today without Co's influence in my life. I always say that the Princess Program changed my life...but in reality, it was Co who changed it.

she saw something in this blonde hair girl from Purdue and got her claws in me and just never let go.

and I will forever be grateful for that. 

her family has become my family.
she is a part of my family.

(we joked a few weeks ago that whoever I marry has to meet my parents and get the approval....and then they have to meet Scott and Co and get their approval. that's just the way it is.)

she has brought fabulous people in my life...like my sweet Misty. and when the trio is together, there is no shortage of laughter, talks, wine and more laughter.

my favorite Co story...and she'll kill me for telling this, but I have to.

2011. the IPL 500 Festival parade (shortly after this picture was taken).

Misty, Co and I were walking behind the float in the parade (typical). after we cleared the TV zone, the float sped up and just took off, leaving the three of us to scramble and try to catch up to it. the float behind us was like 100 yards behind us, so it was literally just the three of us cruising down Pennsylvania. We're still in the middle of Penn, and the Princess float has already turned onto Washington street. So the three of us are just walking...and all of sudden, Misty and I look over to see Co face first on the ground. There was LITERALLY a collective gasp from the audience as Co face-planted on the concrete. All Misty and I could do was laugh (good friends, huh?). Co got up, brushed off her pants and looked at us and said "wait, did that just happen?" We seriously could not stop laughing for the rest of the parade.

wait...this story is not over...

we hurried to get off of Pennsylvania, but by the time we turned onto Washington Street, the Princess float had already turned up Meridian. the float/group that was behind us is still like 100 yards away. So we are absolutely the only three people walking in the parade for the block between Penn and Meridian. all of the sudden, the crowd starts cheering for us and laughing with us--so the three of us just start waving! It was hilarious. By the time we caught back up with the Princess float, the girls were asking why everyone was cheering. No big deal girls...it was just for the three of us!

I could go on and on and on about how wonderful Co is...

how much she means to me...

how grateful I am for her friendship.... 

how much I love her support and love for the me and the Princess Program...

 but we would be here for days. 

and I ain't got time for that. :)

bottom line...my life is super full and so much better for knowing this wonderful lady. 

happy birthday my sweet Co. enjoy your day.

tbt to 2003.

man, I love me some Throw Back Thursday....or some #tbt, if you will.

I love getting on Instagram and checking out ridiculous photos of my friends from their childhood.

so in honor of that, I found this picture from the 2003 Princess Class (woot.woot.) and decided to share it with you.

confession....when I say I "found" this picture, I really mean that it is in a frame on my desk at work. I like to remember where I came from, so I know where I'm going.

Class of 2003. has it really been 10 years? yikes. if only we knew then what we know now.

and if only I didn't flip my hair out. but that's another wish.

and if I remember correctly, this picture was taken after we gave our speeches (for Queen) at a breakfast at the Westin. man, how times have changed.

also, please notice the rad silk handkerchiefs we are rocking out of our pockets.
styling and profiling. 

click on the picture to make it bigger. because you want to see it in all of its 2003 glory.

back row: Nichole, Colleen, Lyndsey, Casey, Jennilee, Brandy, Holly, Megan, Kristen, Ambra, Lindsay
middle row: Faith, Katie, Aja, Kate, Christin, Mandy, Megan, Mari, Stephanie, Kristen, Amanda, Cara, Stephanie, Gwyn
front row: Ariel, Ashli, Krista, Betsy, Carolyn, Kelby, Kaleena, Crystal

holy crap, I think I got all those names right. If not, I'm so sorry!

u la la.

In the hustle and the bustle of preparing for yet another class of Princesses, sometimes I forget the bigger picture. Maybe not forget, but just chose to ignore it.

And then I'm reminded.

And today it was like a slap in the face.

Meet Becca Duggan. One of our 2013 Miss Congenialities. Future Disney Princess. Amazing blonde. One of the best people I've ever met.

Do you want to know what it's like to be a Princess? Read this article. Becca sums it up perfectly.

And she's stunningly gorgeous too.