I am proud to be a member of the Swifties. In case you have NO clue what I’m talking about, it’s Taylor Swift fans. Yes, I love that girl. I have ALL her albums and have loved her music for YEARS now. I remember driving down my parents road belting out Teardrops on my Guitar when I was heading to my freshmen classes at ODU. On Sunday morning, I rolled out of bed with a nice wedding photographer hangover and took off for Charlotte NC with my two girlfriends, Amanda and Amanda. We were off for a 52 hour mom getaway that included gin and tonics, pool lounging and a Taylor Swift concert. The time off was incredible. I have had so much on my plate recently, big life changes and decisions, and really time to just BE. Just sit and take in the world, instead of hustling to the next thing. We went for a Taylor Swift arena concert and left feeling so fulfilled! 

I have to say I am someone who LOVES her lyrics. She truly is an amazing artist to me, writes most of her own songs, and has crossed over into the pop genre seamlessly. What I truly didn’t expect was a therapy lesson too. After her opening number, she stood there smiling and literally you can feel her soaking it all in. My eyes instantly watered. Here is this 25 year old woman standing in ANOTHER sold out arena of 15,000 people of her friends (she called us that). A woman who was told she wouldn’t make it, she couldn’t do it, people wouldn’t pay to hear her. She was made fun of in school because she was so awkward and yet there she stood. Gorgeous and smiling and SO appreciative! 

During part of the concert as she’s talking to the audience she talked about overcoming hurdles and getting to where you’re going. She encouraged us to lift one another up and cheer on our friends. To just be a great FRIEND. To believe in our paths and keep our head down against the naysayers. To high five people when they’ve done something great and have their back when they’re fighting. 

And then she said this: You aren’t going nowhere just because you haven’t gotten where you’re going yet. 

How powerful is that statement?! Sometimes we are so into getting to the finish line we forget to high five ourselves for how far we’ve come! I’m so guilty of this. I need to remind myself that I am knocking down goals over here and making new ones too! My journey is far from over but I’m not just starting either. 

I just love what she stands for: girl power, being a friend and believe in yourself.