The Good, the Full, the Joy.

Glitter, glam, giggles. Spilled out over the table with shimmering glasses of wine. Our voices held joyous anthems - telling stories, sharing tales, adding smidgens into other conversations and jumping around from one to the next, as only girls can do. Tonight was a celebrated way of friendship. Seventeen girls chorusing together, an exchange of Secret Santa gifts and giddiness. We were beautiful, dressed in our best with eyelids painted, satchels in hand, and coats woven like classy color to our knees, peeking heels and stilettos beneath. Jewels and ribbons sparkled, wrapped around like adoring splashes and statements. We ordered like frivolous women, laughing aloud at our flippant release, enjoying gourmet pastas and bellinis, trailed by tiramisu and creamed coffee. The good life. The joy of flourishing friendships and good food and freedom at the table sounding like clinking spoons and echoing laughter. Joy. In it's full goodness.

Painting pictures with words rarely do justice. But sometimes, they also paint the elements a picture can't. They paint the sounds, the savorings. The memories loomed through the fabric of photos that are cherished deep in the heart. As some moments portray themselves like painted canvas, they still pull to be drawn in written form. These are the moments I capture today. These are the good, the full, the joy.