OBU Reunion

I pride myself in maintaining my friendships no matter the distance, so I'm thankful I'm still very close to my friends.  I wouldn't survive without some of our group text messages (so. funny.), and I try my best to talk to my friends weekly - if not a few times a week.

I titled this OBU "reunion" rather than OBU "homecoming" because, honestly, we did nothing homecoming-related besides going to the basketball games Thursday night.  The only reason we even did that was because some of the girls were basketball alum, and one of our friends currently plays on the team.

OBU homecoming only gave us a reason to all get together again… which is fine by me.  I always can go for a fun weekend with some of my favorite girls!

To my surprise, I didn't plan this weekend from the beginning.  One of my best friends, Gabby, asked me to ride with her to Shawnee for homecoming.  Little by little, we found out more of our friends were coming too.  There was no schedule, no rush, nothing to be late to; I was abnormally "go with the flow".

It's always a good time when we get together, and there are guaranteed laughs.  Two of us are married now, but the fun didn't stop!  Certain songs already remind me of the weekend, and I can't wait for next year to see what has changed.  I hope to have the upside down hand stand push-up mastered by then.  (My friends Amy and Ashley enjoy Crossfit, so this was an exercise I tried to do… and failed.)  Here are some pictures from the reunion.

Just got done getting ready for the women's basketball game .

Love my Gabby! We met late in my senior year, but have been close ever since.  She's also a fellow Texan.

This is my sweet Amy!  We met also late in my senior year.  We lost contact while she was in New Mexico coaching, but we are back on it like wildfire.

Samantha is here- We're complete!  These were my basketball girls my senior year.  They deemed me the "basketball mom".  It was SO funny when people we met outside of OBU would ask if I played basketball too.

I curled Amy's hair… doesn't she look so pretty?!

Three Musketeers

Not a successful self-timer picture, but this will do.  Diamond is in the middle and Ashley is to my right.  I met Diamond my senior year when she was on her visit…. crazy to still be friends after all this time.  Ashley actually went to OBU too and ran track; however, we didn't start hanging out until after we both graduated because of mutual friends.  She is my protector.  You can't say anything to me if Ashley is around ;)

Dinner @ Cazadorez… OBVIOUSLY! 

A must-have anytime I am in Shawnee. 

Allie met up with us after dinner.  She is the friend that currently plays on the women's basketball team.  I met her when she was a freshman, and I can't believe it's now her senior year!  One of the prettiest girls I know.

My girlfriends and I love to dance so of course we had to find a spot in Shawnee.

Amy is so thoughtful.  She woke up and brought us all coffee and breakfast.

To save money and, mostly, to give us more time to get ready at Ashley's place, I decided to cook dinner for all of the girls.  I made a ground turkey baked spaghetti. 

Bridget is on the right.  I also met her my senior year of college, and we've kept in contact through mutual friends.  She is too sweet!  She compliments me every time she sees me.  What's not to love about her?! 

Getting ready for a night in Bricktown!

This is Andrea.  I knew of her my senior year in college through mutual friends, but never got the chance to really hang out with her.  It wasn't until after I moved back to Shawnee post-graduation that we got to spend some time together.  Andrea has such a big heart!  Anyone would be lucky to be friends with her. 

A group picture before we went to Bricktown for some daaaancing!

This is Dakota.  We met my senior year in college when she was only a freshman.  I've taken the role of a big sister to her and have mentored her throughout her time at OBU.  Now she is a senior (I'm seriously getting old), and she lives in my old house.  I can't wait for her to graduate in December so she can move back closer to me in Texas.

Beyond thankful for these two.

Taking a little break from dancing to pose for the camera!  We love going to Social.  They play great music and it's a smoke-free establishment. 

My experience at OBU has truly given me so many great friendships.  Thanks for the memories and the laughs.  I hope to win the "waterfall" game next year ;)  Love you: Gabby, Amy, Ashley, Samantha, Andrea, Diamond, Allie, Bridget and Dakota!


Until next time,

Natalie