The Places You Will Go, The People You Will Meet

Well I just wrapped up five gorgeous days in sunny California. I ate great food, sipping on amazing wine, biked, hiked, and saw scenery that was breathless. As I sit her in my apartment back in Dallas I'm reminded of all the lessons I learned from the new friends I made in San Francisco~

• The newly engaged couple- While on our first wine tour my single buddy and I met a very cute couple. Sarah and Zach had been dating for over a year, were also 28, and were spending a weekend get away together in the wine country. After our first winery tasting, my friend and I were talking about what a great couple they were. He was goofy, social, sweet, and very attentive to his girlfriend. We wondered why they weren't married yet... We take five steps out to the vineyard and see Zach on one knee asking Sarah to marry him! We were both super excited for our wine tour besties, but more importantly inspired that good guys are still out there. 
• Our Brother and Sister from Florida- We also met this couple on our first wine tour. Pattie and Phil met when they were 37 and fell in love. This couple taught me that good relationships come to those who wait. Neither of them compromised their values, and were able to find someone to truly completed them. Both Pattie and Phil showed me that no matter how old you are, you can still have fun. I also was taught through their stories that being in love doesn't mean changing for someone. Just keep being you! You are the person that someone is waiting for.Patty and Phil truly felt like my older brother and sister that night as we continued our wine/beer tour and talked about life.
• Juan and my Gaysian- Naturally being in San Fran, we had to spend a night in Castro. After our amazing meal at a restaurant called "Catch", Ally and I stumbled into a bumpin Castro bar. For those of you who didn't know, Castro is the "gay-borhood". My Gaysian and I bonded because he complemented me on my blue damask dress. Him and Juan (who wanted his new name to be Pablo) were two friends looking for some men...naturally Ally and I bonded with them, because we were on the same mission. These two boys showed me that we are all looking for the same thing on some level. It's not any easier if you are gay or straight when it comes to finding the one. You've gotta kiss a lot of frogs...
• Speaking of kissing- let me introduce PJ. The boy I met and chatted it up with. PJ was just like a Dallas boy, cute, tall, and was totally into picking a girl up at a bar. No matter if you are in Dallas or any other city, girls are faced with a guy buying you drinks with the intention of taking you home... UGH! Don't worry, I am no idiot, I took the free drinks and left PJ curbside. I will give him props though, he did Facebook friend request me within the first five minutes of chatting me up. 
• Jessica from Florida- Ally and I met Jess after on our last night in SF. Her husband and her were in their late 30's, married when she was 32. Jessica had come to SF with her hubby on a business trip. She old us about how they met after they worked together, and how the wait was worth it. Jessica also preached the importance of still making time for your girlfriends. She told us stories of her annual girls weekends with her friends. Jess went to dinner with us, and took us to the W Hotel where we met with for a glass of champagne with her husband and his co-workers. Jessica pulled me aside at the end of the night and gave me a great compliment. She told me how much she appreciated my friendlessness, knowledge of social skills, intelligence, and my sweet heart. It felt really great to have this once stranger praise me wit such learning words of affirmation. Jessica reminded me to pass it on, to share with others what you admire about them.
• The Dallas Couple- Believe it or not on our last wine tour, we met this awesome couple on our bus, ironically from our hometown. We instantly bonded and connected. Lucky for us they have lots of single guy friends and no single girlfriends. Ally and I offered our friendship services to their group! We plan on hanging out soon and sipping on some of the wine we bought together. Betsy and Chris taught me that you never know where real friendship can grow.

Vacations are a time for relaxation and reflection. It's amazing how taking a few days away from your current reality, can grow your soul so much. There are numerous lessons I learned the past few days. I feel truly blessed that I met so many amazing people. My entire trip to San Francisco was brought to life by the stories that were told by and created with my new vacation friends! You never know when a complete stranger will touch your heart and change your way of thinking!