My 4th of July Weekend started bright and early when my alarm went off at 3:30 in the morning so I could get up and drive an hour to the airport to catch my 6:50am flight to Ohio! After a brief layover in Chicago I arrived in Columbus by 11am and was ready for bed! I checked into my hotel and waited for my friends Kelly and Becky to arrive so we could get ready for our friend Johanna’s bachelorette party! [Side note: Kelly had gotten engaged earlier that week so it was super exciting to congratulate her in person and check out her rock!] After getting ready, we met up with the rest of the girls at Thurber’s, a restaurant inside the hotel the other girls were staying at. At Thurber’s we had wine and appetizers and watched Johanna open her gifts!
From there we headed to Gordon Biersch where we enjoyed more drinks and dinner, and watched as Johanna completed some of her bachelorette dares, such as getting our server to dance with her.
He was a good sport. For dinner I chose Jambalaya with chicken, shrimp, ham, and andouille sausage. It was delicious!
After a few more dares and the arrival of a few more out-of-town friends, we headed to The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar where we spent the rest of our evening. We had a blast requesting songs for the pianists to play. If you have never been to a dueling piano bar, it’s something to put on your to-do list. They are so much fun!
The group
Amy, Johanna, Me, Kelly
After a fun night, I was ready to pass out when we got back to the hotel and it didn’t take long for me to fall asleep!
The next morning Becky drove back to her husband and son while Kelly and I met up with my friend Emily and my parents for lunch and shopping. My parents came down early for the wedding to spend some time with me while I was in town. How nice! My visit with Emily was way too short, but I am hoping to see her and some other former coworkers when I am in town in September! I spent the day and evening relaxing with my parents, which was extremely nice after such a hectic Thursday.
Saturday morning I spent more time with my parents as we wandered Columbus for pedicures, lunch, and a trip to Target (you KNOW I was happy!). We met up with the rest of my college friends at the hotel later that afternoon so we could all get ready for the wedding. We then made our way to Via Vecchia, the winery where the wedding took place.
Ceremony site
Husband and Wife
Had to get a picture with the parents
Amy, Elizabeth, Kelly, Me, and Megan
First Dance
With the bride
I had such a good time with my college friends and my parents celebrating Johanna and Bryan’s wedding! Though Johanna and I went to college together, we were also on the same gymnastics team growing up and have known each other for many, many years. I’m so glad I was able to share in her special day! Congrats to the newlyweds!
I was up early the next morning to catch my flight back to Ohio. After another layover in Chicago, I arrived back in South Carolina by 12:30 and was back at my apartment by 2! Though it was hard getting up so early, it was nice being home early enough to do some grocery shopping for the week, get laundry done, and relax a bit before heading to work on Monday morning.
Plus I got to spend some time with this little furball who did not leave my side upon my return home!
Also, huge shoutout to Southwest Airlines! It was my first time traveling with them (and for free with points!) and it was the best experience I’ve ever had. No flight delays, extremely friendly flight attendants, and free in-flight tv! I am so glad to be traveling with them to Ohio the rest of this summer and fall for upcoming weddings/wedding events!
Runner in Stilettos 