Venus Trapped in Mars Sports and Lifestyle Blog Dallas

12 November 2014

My Life Could Not Be More Different

Something occurred to me at the Mavs game. As I was laughing, joking, cheering, smiling, running around asking to take pictures with the Mavs Maniaacs, having a blast with six new friends, and a boy that makes me happier than any feeling I even knew existed... it really hit me just how much my life has changed in the past six months.




Running a lifestyle blog allows you (and everyone else in the world) to look back on your journey, from where you started, to where you are now, at just the click of a button. I look back at this whole string of #VTIMBeBrave posts, and even this post about how to enjoy your city solo, and it really opened my eyes to just how sad and lonely I was for so many months in Dallas, even though I never really admitted that to myself. 

I feel very very lucky, heck I'll even say it.... blessed... with the life I've been given. I've experienced my fair share of loss, like when I lost my dad at 19, then lost my uncle, who I was very close with, exactly one year later. Although I was sad and even quite angry at times, I don't remember having that, "but why me" attitude. Once the initial pain from a loss like that subsides, it is all about the attitude you take from that moment forward. I've said this before, but I like to think that I'm actually pretty damn lucky because my dad is up there not only watching out for me (see also: the outcome of this accident) but also bringing people my way when I need them the most. 

Let me tell you a little story real quick. When I was growing up, we were fortunate enough to take so many wonderful family vacations. The one downside of being an only child is that you don't have built-in friends, appearing in the form of brothers and sisters, to play with on vacations. My dad was notorious for sneaking away on trips to visit the local WINGS and buy up all of the pool toys. He would then scatter the pool toys all around me, to attract the other kids to come play with me. 

He knew I was shy, and would never make the first move. He also knew I would be the life of the party if he could just bring the friends to me! So that is exactly what he did. He found a way to bring the party to me. 

Let's fast forward to September 1, 2012, the day I moved to Dallas with no friends, but confident that I would make them in no time. I went to sorority alum club events, college alum club events and even began volunteering for one of the local animal shelters. All in the name of making friends. After each failed attempt, after each time I would leave an event without any new phone numbers or future plans for a happy hour get together. I slowly but surely started to give up even trying.

But then, right when I was the saddest I've been in years, or maybe ever, my dad stepped in and brought me pool toys, and the rest was up to me. 


I think this is a fitting song to link up with Helene today. 
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32 comments :

  1. oh my goodness, that pool toy story might be the sweetest thing I've ever heard. I'm glad you've found so many fun new friends!! I definitely know the struggle of moving new places + not knowing a soul.

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  2. I felt like crying reading this. this is one of my favorite post of yours ever. i'm so happy for you and so glad you dad is looking down on you.

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  3. I'm sure you sometimes think I'm crazy for saying this all of the time but it always shocks me how much we're alike. I've had a post in my drafts this week that I've been working on bit by bit and it's so similar. I'm so happy for you and to see you so happy! It's awesome and I know that feeling of looking back and feeling even happier. Love love love!

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  4. That is so sweet! your dad sounds amazing! So happy for you!

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  5. I love the pool toy story! It's so hard to move to a new place and not know anybody. I'm so glad you are in a much great place now! :)

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  6. Making friends in a new place is hard. Love this post! (Even if I couldn't see the song for some reason ... must be my browser.)

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  7. This is so sweet. The pool story reminds me of something my Dad would have done!

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  8. I am so happy for you that you have found your people and everything in Dallas. It was so great that you were making an effort to go explore Dallas on your own, but it is ten times better to do fun things with friends. I think what is ever better about this is that it shows other people who are moving to a new city that it may just take time, but you will make friends and have a good time. Of course, it does help to have a guardian angel looking out for you. Moral of the story - your life was awesome before, but now it's just even more awesome.

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  9. That story about your dad buying pool toys for you to attract friends is so sweet. Maybe it's just the day (although I do tend to get emotional in general) but that has literally brought tears to my eyes. Anyway, glad life has gotten good!!!

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  10. Thank you so much for sharing this story, Sarah. Your dad getting pool toys to help you make friends is the sweetest thing ever. I was a really shy kid too, and my mom would literally introduce me to other kids at places like the beach because I was so afraid to make the first move. When I moved to a new city where I had no friends in 2011, it was a HUGE lesson in learning to put myself out there, which doesn't come naturally to a homebody and introvert. I've become really good at learning to ask for someone's phone number when we meet and hit it off standing in line at a coffee shop or at a dog training class. It can be so hard, but it really is rewarding. Making friends as an adult is no where as easy as making them when you're in school!

    Cat
    http://oddlylovely.com

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  11. I love this post! I am an only child too. Growing up was very lonely because I didn't really have friends let alone cousins to play with. When I moved to LA 8 years ago it was very hard to make friends, it still is, thats what I like blogging so much :)

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  12. That was such a sweet story, your dad sounds like the greatest!!

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  13. I moved to Chicago right after college (4 years ago) and completely understand how hard it can be to make friends. I recently had the same realization you just had - how lucky I am to have the friends I have in my life now. Chicago wouldn't be the same without them!

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  14. Really great post Sarah! It hit home for me having recently moved to Dallas myself and still trying to figure out exactly where I fit in to this city (and even at times questioning if this is where I am supposed to be). It's helpful to hear that you've found your way, and are currently living and loving life in Dallas.

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    1. You're in the big D?!?! We have GOT to get a blogger meetup organized ASAP!! That would be so fun!!

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  15. What a sweet story about your dad!! That is so awesome that you have been brave and made friends in a new city! I'm super introverted and it's really hard for me to make friends, but I'm trying to do better!

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  16. I love that you're so happy and truly know how it can feel moving to a new place and being forced to make all new friends. Its a scary, lonely time, but it makes it so much better when you get to the other side! I'm so thankful you've found such happiness and hope it only gets better! You're motivating me to put myself out there more and put myself in situations where I'll meet more friends! Thanks for the push girl & the amazing story about your Dad!

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  17. This is such a great post. I'm glad you're happy. You inspire me, girlfriend! :)

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  18. Oh what a sweet post.. love this, I lost my dad a year ago and I miss him all the time... Loved this, thanks for sharing!
    Hope
    www.hhdesignsblog.com

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  19. I'm nervous about my upcoming move and my ability to make friends. I've done it before though- and came up with the best friendships of my life! Wishing you all the best :)

    -Megan @ Never Finished

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  20. Aw, I love this! You dad sounds like he was an amazing man! The pool toys thing is priceless. I'm the only child too, so I can totally relate, especially with being shy about making the first move and making friends in new places. I'm just over here patiently waiting to get out of the slump, similar to your first six months in Dallas, and meet some people! I have one best friend in Dallas, but I guess it's better than none! But seriously.. how are you supposed to meet people!? When you already have a boyfriend, coworkers are old, and everyone already has their "group", that leaves little to no room for the new people! You def got lucky! I'm glad you're finally at your happy place!

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  21. It's so hard to make friends as an adult. I'm really glad you're finding your place in Dallas.

    Also, way to make me tear up. Sniff. Such a sweet story.

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  22. How sweet that he would bring the kids to you. I am pretty terrible about meeting new people. I can't just say "Hey, I'm Holly wanna be my friend" lol Or if I did I may have people think I am crazy.

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  23. Your dad sounds like an awesome man! I loved the post, thanks for sharing! xoxo, ganeeban

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  24. That's exactly how I felt when I first came to school! Slowly but surely I've learned how to make friends!! It just takes time. So glad its worked out for you!

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  25. I have goosebumps. Not only because this was such a beautiful testimony to your dad but because you have come so far and you're so much happier now. I'm so, so, so proud of you. <3

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  26. And now I'm crying! This is a beautiful post! It is so hard to be in a new city and not know many people (or any for that matter). That's how I felt when I first moved to Dallas and a little how I feel know that I just moved back. Love that CB makes you so happy too!
    ~Elise @ highheelsglitteringeyes.blogspot.com

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  27. Crying because pool toy story. I've never been particularly great at making friends, so I understand the young shy Sarah. You are so wonderful, and I would love to be your friend. I'm so glad that you're happy, and that your daddy is still looking out for his little girl.

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  28. It's hard to imagine you being shy, but I totally get it because I am too. What a lovely story about your dad. I'm sorry that he isn't here with you now, but it's great that you have these wonderful memories of him.

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  29. I love this. It's those unreal moments when you don't think you can make it that really define who you are. And make you so much stronger. You are one tough lady! And the fact that you're now in Dallas makes it so much cooler. :-) Seriously, can we do brunch or a game?! What is the equivalent of a "cleat chaser" for a a fellow female who follows your blog? Because that might be me...in a totally awesome, non-weird way! Really though, thanks for sharing this with us! It only adds to your (life) story. (I'm really convinced that making friends as an adult is more difficult than it was for me as a child.)

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  30. I love this so much. I'm honestly so happy and excited for you. This may sound weird but you can TRULY see a difference in how happy you look/seem in your pictures since CB came into the picture.
    :)

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  31. Seriously. Making friends as an adult is too damn difficult. Whyyyyyyyy universe, why!?

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