Lauren Wakefield

I talk a lot about how my brides become my friends and Erin is no exception.  When I met her, I just knew there was something different about her.  She was so easy to talk to and it never once felt like hanging out with anyone but an old friend.  As the years went on she became so much more than my bride…she became just that…an old friend.  Erin is the type of person you look up to…but always does her best to make you feel on top of the world.  She never misses a chance to reach out or leave a little something to make your day.  She’s an amazing wife, dog mom, friend…and woman.  Full disclosure, I didn’t know exactly what Erin did before this post and once she told me I fell in love with her even more.  She works for the McDonald’s corporation and helps employees get tuition assistance to learn english, get high school diplomas and even get a college degree!  Talk about doing some good in the world.  So you can see why Erin in my #wcw today…because she is not only an amazing friend…but an inspiring woman through and through.

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ERIN VOSS

I suffer from the can’t breathe, can’t sleep, start crying type of anxiety and it happens a lot.

One of my new year’s resolutions was to stop biting my nails, which lasted one day.

I dream about winning the lotto, the first thing I would do is pay off all my student loans.

I’m not good at arguing, I start to talk in circles and forget what I’m talking about and I usually shut down.

My husband and I fight; it’s my least favorite part of being married.

I’m scared that I’m a bad wife.

The morning after we got our puppy Willa, I called my husband, had a nervous breakdown, and actually asked to give her back (He talked me down, thank god).

Society tells me because I’m happily married I should have a baby, but I don’t think I want kids. What does that say about me?

I’ve always struggled with my weight… as a result I’m always on a diet.

I can’t wait to have both of my tattoos removed.

I’m used to being that girl, the girl who hits it off with her man’s friends. With my husband that did not happen…it still bothers me.

Someone I love is struggling with drug addiction and I can’t help them… I have a hard time accepting that.

I recently cut my hair short and I hate it, it’s growing out and kind of looks like a mullet.

I was in an abusive relationship before I met my husband and it took me a long time to learn that not every relationship is the same.

I hate kissing when we haven’t brushed our teeth.

I clean my house from top to bottom every weekend and then I get mad I’ve wasted all my free time.

I promised myself no toxic people in 2015. It’s hard to keep this promise but I’m already happier.

I return about 80% of what I purchase.

It rained on our wedding day, I still have mixed feelings about it.

I’m working on my relationship with god but I have more questions than answers.

Sometimes I make noises versus using words… Yes, that’s right… I boop, beep, bop my way through life in my own little song (It’s super weird).

I have Celiac disease. I hate being the “problem child” when it comes to eating out. Instead of speaking up I usually go with the flow, try to order the best I can, and end up getting sick. I’m trying to learn how to speak up and that taking care of myself is okay.

I cry 9 times out of 10 when I see a homeless person.

I’m obsessed with my engagement ring, I still stare at it.

I’m madly in love with my husband, he is goofy, charming, kind, and exactly who I’m meant to be with.. He is my person.

I’ve built and strengthened some amazing friendships, these people are my lifeline and I wouldn’t be the same without them.

I’ve accepted that not everyone who comes into your life is meant to stay there. My mind wouldn’t accept this concept

for a very long time and as a result, I lost a little part of myself trying to keep those relationships.

My husband is hot but I hate that other women think so too… and I hate when they make it known. (Like, I’m standing right here, do you see the ring?)

I love my smile (and my teeth) it’s large, in charge, and it’s mine.

I never thought of myself as a career women… to my surprise I love my job, I’ve been successful, and I just want more.

I recently admitted lying to someone and they forgave me instantly, my mind was blown.

My dogs hold a large place in my heart, I realize it may annoy people but I post tons of pictures and talk about them anyway.

I’m an imperfect person but that’s perfectly okay, a constant work in progress, and who I’m meant to be for now. I’m proud of my marriage and thankful for a husband who loves me and sees the beauty in my flaws. I have a goal to love everyone that much, to not judge them, and to celebrate their flaws. I’ve noticed over time the people in my life are there because of their authenticity, their ability to be real and honest. They are the people that come to your aid when you’re in need not just when you invite them to the picture perfect moments of your life. We can all help celebrate the imperfect moments, judge less, smile more, and let others see the real you… the real you someone loves so much.

A few weeks ago when I posted my ‘Real Me‘ post there was no denying it spoke to a lot of you.  And after I posted my ‘call for blog posts’ my good friend, Annie, reached out to me about doing a profile on other women in the same way.  I, of course, became immediately obsessed with this idea.  I have so many amazing women in my life and I am IN LOVE with the idea of showcasing how amazing they are because of their flaws…not in spite of them.  So today starts a new series…#wcw (woman crush Wednesday).  So get ready for a whole lot of real around here and get excited to meet some seriously phenomenal women!

I couldn’t imagine anyone better to kick this off than my amazing, rockstar, incredibly beautiful, unbelievable friend Cara.  Cara has graced the blog several times over the years and yet I always feel like I have more to say.  She is hands down one of THE most incredible people I have ever met.  She’s the kind of friend that you could talk to forever and it would never be long enough.  The kind of person that believes in you and pushes you to be better…but lets you be unapologetically yourself.  She’s a wife…and a mother….and a damn good one at that.  And on top of it all…she’s the type of woman that the people around her aspire to be.

In 2013 Cara started EmpowerHER.  A non-profit for young girls who have experienced an early loss of their mother.  Cara’s mother passed away when she was nine from breast cancer which led her to see the need for this type of community.  This along with so many reasons that would take me days to put into words…are why I am so thankful to have Cara in my life.   An amazing women who without a shadow of a doubt is a force to be reckoned with…and a real person just like the rest of us.

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CARA BELVIN

I’m always late. And always working on that.

I wait for the other shoe to drop.

I suffer from word vomit. I keep NOTHING bottled up.

My car is always a mess. There is a 100% chance you will find banana peel on the backseat and a lollipop glued to the floor if you checked today.

I worry incessantly about getting breast cancer.

I constantly double book.

I don’t know how to use Twitter. I once used my Facebook status update to schedule a meeting with a colleague. My friend immediately called and said, “Get off Facebook, you old lady.”

I’m always on a diet. And always reminding myself not to let my daughter know that.

My Catholic guilt gets the best of me.

If you tag me and my arms look fat, my house looks cluttered or I have roots…I’m going to untag myself.

Sometimes I feel 2 feet tall. Other times my ego is waaay inflated.

I have the attention span of a fly on a hot grill. Movies are for napping.

I still bite my nails.

I hate the phrase, “It is what it is.” My mind doesn’t work like that.

I’m not an animal person but will pretend to be when I meet your cat, dog, gerbil…fill in the blank.

I swear like a sailor.

I hate to cook. But I refuse to feed my children processed food. I’m in quite the pickle.

I work out to Stevie Nicks and Bruce Springsteen. Then get mad that I’m not losing weight.

I judge. There, I admit it.

I’m a workaholic turned stay-at-home mom turned workaholic turned stay-at-home mom. You get where I’m going with this.

I think my kids are the greatest thing that ever happened to this universe and if you say anything to the contrary I am capable of ripping your eyelashes out.

I’m flawed. A classic work-in-progress. But, I’m proud of the life I have created. I am proud of my marriage, my children and my work. I’m proud of my philanthropic endeavors but don’t automatically assume it gives me a free pass. When my children show kindness, I pat myself on the back. When they are anything but, I immediately blame it on this crazy world we live in.

I’m madly in love with my husband. He is smart and funny and looks wicked hot with a winter beard. We got married while he was in the military and I was way younger than I thought anyone should be to make that decision. But, I knew the risks and I have always used it to remind myself to just trust my instincts.

I try to surround myself with fearless, strong and loving people that will only lift me higher. I listen when they talk. They have so much to teach me and I have so much to learn. I love my family and my girlfriends are my lifelines. We laugh a lot. Like, a lot.

In 2015 I am setting an intention, not resolution, to be who I am and who I am meant to be. I am going to stand taller and speak out, or up, when need be. No guilt. More movies.