by Kelsey.
During the year round planning of Love of Friends, the team spends a lot of time talking about stuff we love. We’re passionate people, what do you want from us? I thought it only appropriate then, that I dedicate a blog post explaining why I love this team and ergo this project as much as I do. Maybe it will inspire you to come and get to know the team better at the party in February. I promise, each one of them is so worth knowing.
Regina
We’ll start with the LoF founder. Anything good I say about Regina, has surely already been said. She’s that kind of awesome, but I’ll try anyways. Regina is one of those people that knows everyone, can introduce you to anyone, and makes even the most boring occasion a party through her endless enthusiasm. What’s even more astounding though, is how genuine she is. She really loves people, gets involved for all the right reasons, and never stops giving back or paying it forward. Despite being busy, and now even while living in a different city, she is one of the most supportive friends I have, always willing to drop whatever she is doing to be there for her people.
Bethany
Bethany is one of those people with endless amounts of energy. Last spring she was training for the Rome marathon and would come bounding into meetings, looking adorable, asking brilliant questions, and saying offhandedly how she had spent the morning getting in an 18 mile run. (You know how I spend the afternoon after an 18 mile run? On my couch.) Bethany is always ready to challenge, to champion, and to just get stuff done. She is a rock solid part of this team, and I can say confidently that there would have been years where this party wouldn’t have happened without her.
jordan
You know those people you’re always just so happy to see every time you bump into them? That’s Jordan. Always excited about something, and usually on his way to do something really fun. He’s a ridiculously talented photographer and marketer. Regina, Jordan, and I used to spend Friday morning’s working together out of various coffee shops around the city, and calling them “Collaboration Fridays”. We’ve got to have another collaboration Friday soon Jordan, it’s way too great a way to close out the week.
kelly
Where do I even start with telling you how awesome Kelly is? Kelly has been my best friend since our freshman year of sharing a dorm room together. You guys, we shared a dorm room with bunk beds, went on to be roommates for another 4 years, and are still best friends. She’s family. She’s also more talented than any one person has a right to be, and if you’ve heard her sing or seen her art, then you know exactly what I am talking about.
chris
You know when you have a semi-formed plan or idea that could be good, but isn’t quite there yet, and there’s a person you know that if you explain it to them, they give you the exact suggestions needed to make it great? That’s Chris. The amount of my work, projects, plans, and humor that have been improved by Chris is huge. Consistently witty, and just the right amount of sarcastic, he always has the perfect comeback. I am beyond excited to have him and his brain as part of the team this year. He’s also a pretty kick ass roommate.
alexa
Alexa amazes me. She’s smart, and is great at her job, and has a wonderful family, and is beautiful, and bikes, and blogs, and makes us delicious snacks from scratch when she hosts LoF meetings, and despite doing all of that, is one of the calmest, most grounded people I know. I was completely intimidated by her when I first met her, and now am so happy that we’re friends.
carly
Carly and I first got to know each other while running a half-marathon. We have a similar race pace, and we talked about how much we love Pittsburgh, volunteering, and why brunch is the greatest meal ever invented. It’s a wonder we’ve stayed friends having absolutely nothing in common. Since then, we’ve done a lot more running, volunteering, brunching, etc. Carly’s a blast, knows how to throw a great craft-night, and is definitely someone I’d want on my team for quiz-night.
So that’s the team. Somehow, I’m not only lucky enough to know and be friends with these people, I get to work with them on a really cool event/project all year round.
