Where did all my bridesmaids go?!

I was blessed to have 9 beautiful ladies next to me on my wedding day.

But what makes me incredibly sad is other than my family- my sister, sister-in-law, and nieces- all of these ladies live out of state or country.  What is up with that?!  My favorite ladies in my life are MIA.

Starting from the left of the above picture with Kathryn.

Kathryn and I go back to the early days of diving- around 11 years old.  We shared most of our after school hours together and all of our summers, practicing and traveling for diving.  Kathryn went off to USC in California and met her husband Mike while in college.  And sadly for me- she still resides in CA.  I'm beyond excited to welcome Kathryn and Mike's baby next month!  I'm hopeful that this adorable family will make it back to MN some day so I can see her more often and our babies can grow up together!

Next Stephanie, my sister in law

Well no one lives closer than Stephanie and Rose (my niece) than these two.  We live in the same neighborhood!  Yep and I love it!  We get to see my family a lot and I'm pretty happy that I love my brother's bride like a sister.  So let's drop the in-law part and say sister?!  My brother always talks about moving to Wyoming to have lots of land and solitude.  Don't you dare go- then I'll lose this special lady too!

Just in front of Stephanie is her daughter and my niece Rose

Again I'm so glad we live in the same neighborhood.  I can open my door and see this beaming smile at my doorstep!  Rose is one of the funniest people I know- a quick wit and beautiful personality make her a sincere joy!  I'm sad to know that some day she will be off to college and busy with boys I'm sure!  But for now, I love the time I get with her!

And then we have Friend (aka Annie)

Ugh I just lost this friend to Colorado and I'm less than thrilled.  Annie and I coached together for a while but really we did lots of mani/pedi, coffee dates followed by delicious cocktails.  She is my go to friend for a good night out and reliving the younger years!  I guess I will just have to pony up and take a trip to Colorado to see Annie and her husband Reed!  Sounds rough right?

Behind me is Ryan's friend Ashley

Ashley and Ryan go back to their college days and have remained good friends even though she lives in St. Louis.  Their stories are ridiculous and its obvious they had a good time together!  Each have traveled to see the other one but unfortunately we haven't seen Ashley since our wedding!  We are hoping to see her this summer!

My oldest Niece Laura looks so young in the wedding picture and she has blossomed into a GORGEOUS young lady!  Oh my word.  Watch out boys!  Thankfully Laura lives about 4 minutes from me so I get to see her often- when she isn't dancing or doing DECA.  She will get her license this summer and I'm sure she will be crazy busy with her social life!  And like Rose, I'm sad to think that some day she will go off to college- she's hoping for Madison- and I won't see her as often!  Madison is as far as I will let you go Laura!

Next to Laura, is my oldest friend Kristin (maid of honor) and the one bridesmaid currently out of the country!  Yep she is living in Australia right now with her husband Cole!  They have been gone for over a year now but I'm thrilled to say they will be coming back this summer for a few weddings and then home more permanently around Christmas!  YAY!  I have to say that when I realized how much I missed Kristin was the day Colin was born and Kristin's parents came to visit in the hospital.  Not having Kristin there was weird- definitely a moment you usually share with your best friend.  So before baby number 2 comes (someday!  not pregnant by the way now!) Kristin has to have her roots back in MN!

My best friend from college, Allison has moved all over the country with her adorable family and I sure wish she would come to be MN!  She has moved from Chicago to Arizona to Alabama back to Arizona and now to New Jersey!  Come on MN!!  I can't tell you how much I wish she lived in MN so we could enjoy a glass of wine and so that our boys could play together.  Her son Austin will be 2 (!) in June and he is such a stinking cutie!  Allison gets me and understands me so well- she gives advice that makes me think and I appreciate her sincere care for me and my family!

And last but not least, my sister Allison!  Thankfully Allison lives just a hop, skip and a jump away AND she nannies Colin so I am guaranteed to see her two days a week!  If she ever moves more than 10 minutes away, we might have a fight!  My sister and I are so close- at least 2 phone conversations a day that revolve around her love life (it's exciting!) and my mom life (it's so fun!).  I can't imagine my sister being far away so let's just not go there :)

I'm so blessed to have these ladies in my life but I would love for them to be in town- all of them!  But I'm thankful for easy communication and that I get to see them as often as I do!  Love you ladies!