Sunday was a glorious summer day- perfect for a celebration. And if there is one thing you should know about our friends, it’s that we can come up with any excuse to celebrate. This weekend, we didn’t even have to search very far. No one had to make up any holidays, or use the excuse that they have extra beer/wine/cake balls from a wedding they worked. We had a birthday in the group. A real, live birthday. It was just too easy.

Our good friend Gregg turned 25 yesterday, and in his generosity he invited us all out to celebrate at his lake house over fajitas on Sunday afternoon. We’re thankful for him. Mostly because of his lake house. Also because he’s a really great cook. But seriously because he has one of the biggest hearts, marked by the most unforgettable laugh that you’ll ever meet.

It didn’t take long for the emails to start flying back and forth. I’ll bring tequila leftover from a party I worked. I’ll bring 24 Shiners leftover from a wedding. I’ll make cake balls. Put me down for tortillas and peppers and onions. I’ll bring guacamole. I’ll get tortilla chips. I’ll bake brownies. I’ve got the margarita mix. Before you could actually read all the emails in the thread… Boom. Party.

And a party it was. We spent the afternoon at Gregg’s jumping off the dock, avoiding speed boats while paddle boarding, kayaking, playing pool games with all the intensity of 10 year olds, drinking margaritas, dancing, playing basketball, laying in the sun, catching up with friends we hadn’t seen in a while and eating delicious fajitas. It was just wonderful, and I couldn’t have thought up a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

My husband, Taylor, couldn’t make the party. He’s a manager in the restaurant business and works Sundays. Typically his shift ends at 4pm, and on a normal day he could’ve met up with us after work. Today was different due to a work-related boat party (ironic) that he was committed to attend.

Let me say this before I go any further: I am not one of those girls who doesn’t know what to do without her husband. I am completely an introvert. And completely fine on my own.When I studied abroad in Ireland, one of my favorite things to do was wander around the city by myself. To learn how transportation worked, get a feel for the place, the culture. I loved figuring it out, and I loved doing it on my own. It made me feel free and alive, like I was living on the edge. Needless to say, I will be the first to admit that I’m fiercely independent, most of the time to a fault.

But on Sunday afternoon, I missed Taylor. Like, ache in my heart missed him. Don’t get me wrong, I was having a blast. It’s just that part of me was missing. I didn’t have my other half. My person. I didn’t feel like I was fully myself  because all of me wasn’t there.

When Taylor is there, I’m home. It doesn’t matter where we are. I’m completely comfortable in my own skin. I’m free to be who I am fully. And even in the midst of my people… my people who make up an incredible community of support, prayer, laughter and growth, a community of people who are pivotal to Taylor and I’s marriage… I am not at home without my person, without Taylor.

We both headed home from our separate parties around the same time later that night. I made it to our apartment a little before him, and was at the bathroom sink when he walked in. He peeked his head around the door, his face lit up with excitement as he greeted me in his playful tone.

And that’s it. That was my favorite part of the day. More than margaritas or pool games or even being with my best friends. My favorite part of the day was coming home to Taylor. If I’m honest, that’s my favorite part of every day.

*Photos of Gregg’s birthday courtesy of Caroline Boudreaux. I’m glad someone remembered to document the event.