Meet Melissa, 27, NW Indiana/Chicago Area

Hi there! I’m Amanda’s sister, Jen! And I’m hijacking her blog for the day to tell you about my amazing friend and college roommate, Melissa, as a part of  Kelly’s “Show Us Your Singles.”

Melissa truly is a catch looking her lobster! (I hope you got that “Friends” reference, because, well, I’m pretty sure Melissa can quote every episode!  If you like “Friends”  it will definitely earn you some extra credit points…oh, and Justin Timberlake….she likes him too  J!)   She is the kindest and most sincere person I know.  She is very insightful and intelligent. She loves deeply – her relationship with God is of the most important, she is very close with her family and friends, and she is just about the most fantastic friend you could ever wish for! She goes out of her way to make those around her feel comfortable, welcome, appreciated, and love.  Her greatest joy is to make your load easier to carry. She truly has a servant’s heart. Believe me; I wouldn’t have been so successful in college without her thoughtfulness, kindness, silliness and humor!

Melissa and her baby brother Raymond

We attended a Christian college in Indiana where she studied Psychology and then she earned a Master’s in Counseling Psychology at another Indiana Christian college. She is currently a middle school counselor. She has been involved in leading her church youth practically since the day she was “too old” to be in youth group! She loves to have fun with the kids and gets right in the middle of their crazy antics.

Melissa is in the back right, wearing a red bandanna

 Melissa is a girl who prefers ice cream over flowers, quality time over elaborate displays, and sweatshirts over party dresses and high heels (but she looks darn cute in a dress too!). She is a simple, fun loving girl who loves to laugh, likes Italian food (she is half Italian), chocolate, watching TV and movies, hanging out with her friends and family, and being present in each and every day of her life. I know she will be a fantastic wife and mother!

When I asked her what she wanted in a guy, this is what she replied:

“So what do I want in a guy......he has to love Jesus, that's most important. I want a spiritual leader that I can rely on. I want him to be funny and caring and good with money. Someone who understands taxes and money management and all that stuff that I hate. It'd be great if he played an instrument, maybe the guitar or piano. You know I like that. :) Also it'd be awesome if he loved movies and did not ride a motorcycle.” 

Please leave a comment with your email or blog link if you would like to get know my dear, sweet, Melissa more!

Jen

Labor Day Weekend

Over the weekend we have a our wonderful friends come to visit! We saw them last year on this same weekend! Candace and David lived here in NWA for a few years then got a chance to move back to their home town in TN. So off they went :( . Even though I know how much they LOVe being back home and close to their families, I miss them terribly. Candace and I became such great friends in a short period of time.
I am ALWAYS thankful when they make the long drive back to see their old co-workers/friends and us! They stay at our house and I just love having them!
We had a fun, relaxing weekend filled with shopping and eating!! We managed to fight the crowds at "Cabela's". We walked around for a bit but found a spot at the fish tank. We figured they had one but we kept telling Amelia we were going to see
fish. She kept yelling "I see fishy now!"
Every where we went over the weekend Amelia was silly. She was always well-behaved but just loud at some points. I think she was showing off for our guests! Thankfully, she is good 90% of the time!
Candace and I enjoyed shopping a few places at the mall while the guys entertained Amelia for us! It was so nice to send time together!! After shopping we ate there at the mall. Amelia was sleeping for part of dinner in her stroller, but woke when the food came! :)
Sunday morning I made breakfast thn Candace and I went to a store called "true treasures" it is one of my
Favs! We also made a stop at Target before going back home. At dinner on Sunday she was banging the table saying "I eat pig... I eat pig!". Since she doesn't eat much of anything she was lying. The kid won't eat like she needs too. The restaurant had paintings of pigs hung everywhere and she LOVED it. She enjoyed waving and saying hello To the staff as they walked by. "Personality Plus" is what I call her!
After dinner that night we took them to see Crystal Bridges. Since it was after 6 on Sunday we couldn't go in but we walked the trails and went to the lookout point. While we were on the trail and we saw whole family of deer! They weren't even scared of us and our loud toddler! I couldn't believe it.
Overall we had a wonderful time and I am already looking forward to the next time we get to see Candace and David. I am hoping we can get out to see them and their "neck of the woods".