TBT: Treasure Chest

This is one of my all time favorite blog posts. I originally wrote it in May 2011, when I was struggling with a lot of friendships and relationships. I'm happy to say that my friend who came up with this analogy is still a friend of mine today. She is the girl who promised she would never leave...which may not sound like much to some people, but to me, it means the world!

My friend's sister came up with this analogy when she was in high school and I think it's very warrior queen so I wanted to share it. It's my new philosophy that I've adopted. It encompasses all aspects of life in dealing with people and (sometimes) their toxicity.

Inside each and every one of us, there is a treasure chest of gems - rubies, diamonds, gold colins, emeralds, etc. And before we form a relationship with anybody, we must evaluate if their treasure will be as valuable as the treasure we are giving them. This is true in any relationship, whether it be friendship (what originally sparked this conversation), a relationship (which is what started the philosophy) or any sort of partnership.
Basically, is this person going to be as good to you and for you as you are to them? Too many times we form bonds and relationships with people who are just not a great match. We like to try to fix them, but no one can fix another person, they must fix themselves. You can offer ideas and advice and support them, but why support something that is toxic and will only drain you? This becomes a parasitic relationship and you will resent that person.
Now the part that I was struggling with is that I have been feeling deceived. When these relationships of mine began they were anything but toxic. Our treasure was of equal value. But as time wore on, my treasure held its value (as it always does because I'm more focused on relationships than anything else) but theirs did not.

People change, circumstances change, events transpire...but it does not mean that the treasure I was originally given is cubic zirconia compared to my diamonds. It just means that that relationship has expired. It can be renewed in the future, perhaps if the value hasn't deteriorated completely.


It's like this:

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Wedding Wednesday: Our Proposal

Today marks 366 days since Iman proposed. :)

Big Bear, CA

Yesterday we celebrated our two year dating anniversary and one year engagement anniversary. I want to share our little proposal story with you. It's part really funny and many parts romantic. I, of course, tried to ruin it the whole time without knowing it. I'm a ruiner of romantic plans because I am so awkward and ridiculous...

Engagement Party Dec 2012

After almost a year of officially dating and letting my wall down, I finally answered Iman's requests to "maybe, someday get married." It was shocking that it took him less than a year because I'm the girl who always has her running shoes on, including the beginning of our relationship. When I agreed to be official, I had already decided we would have a someday. That someday was going to come in the distant future, though. I was happy with where our life was going.

To infinity...and beyond

In September, I agreed to the tattoos. His first real sign that I was getting ready. It wasn't much of a shock in October when he sent me pictures of rings. In fact, it was a giddy shock. I think I squealed at work. A few weeks later he surprise took me to pick out rings...

Iman's got mad photography skills

I knew that we couldn't afford that ring though. I knew that our someday was coming quick, but I didn't expect it for our anniversary weekend. I almost expected it, but then forgot as we traveled up to Big Bear. I was just excited that we were going on a romantic getaway at a very low cost. [Thanks, Grandma Nita for the timeshare!]

He's just so cute and unsuspecting! 

Our first morning up there was glorious and we were excited to go on a hike. I love hiking but I'm probably one of the worst hikers ever. Of course, I stayed true to that...

After breakfast, we scoped out the perfect hiking place. Iman was being weird with his jacket and seemed distracted. He wanted our hike to be perfect! I, of course, was oblivious to this. If I had remembered that I thought he was going to propose the jacket thing might have signaled some alarms...but I was just blissfully excited to go hiking in the glorious weather.

Eventually, we decided to hike to the highest peak where we could see all of Big Bear Lake. Coincidentally, the path was one where people who hike cross country walk on. That was way cool. We were silly for the first part. Laughing and playing and taking a million pictures. We met some people.

I kept my complaining to a minimum, compared to usual. I just kept saying "This has to be the highest point! We're here. I'm tired." Iman just kept telling me it would be worth it. Fine. The view will be beautiful, of course it will be worth it.

So up we went...up, up, up.

He was right, though. It was gorgeous all the way up there. Just the two of us. We took a ton of pictures :)

I was standing on a bench so I could be as tall as him and after a few minutes I jumped down...

"Ready?" he asked me.

I turned to grab our jackets and prepare for the easy descent...

As I turned around, I panicked. My tall man was NOT taller than me. I seriously thought he was falling down the mountain and started to say so before realizing what was happening [which, in retrospect is funny, since I was falling when we had our first kiss...]

"Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"

"OMG! You're so cute!!" I said as I rushed closer to him and grabbed his face.

"Yes, yes of course!"

:))

Excited face!!

My little heart was exploding and I didn't really know what to do with my hands...

Hands...

Then, as we turned to go back down the mountain, he told me I had the whole hike back to call people. After that, was our time.

So I called my mom. She told me she loved the ring...SINCE she had already seen it a week before!
Then I called my dad...and his whole office shouted Congratulations!! Of course, Iman had told him!

Then I called Molly...my aunt nik...all of the besties.

I left the funniest message for my cousin ever "Hey, it's Raewyn. I wish you would pick up your phone because I'm going to need a hair stylist for my wedding. Give me a call back.Love youu"

Clearly I didn't know...I would have had my nails done! 

Then we got drunk at one of the restaurants and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon nap before I cooked us pasta and we watched some movies.

AH! I can't believe that was a year ago :)

I want to hear your engagement story!!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. For every e-book purchased I will receive commission. 

 Creating a Beautiful Little Christmas.

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Warrior Queen Swag

Oh my gosh! Let me just tell you I'm really excited about this post. I've been so excited about it and almost bursting since last Thursday. I hope you're super excited as well!

Let me preface with a little flashback that probably no one remembers. WAY back in the day of this little blog there used to be a page that said "Wear Your WQ" and it always said "coming soon." In 2011, I finally decided to do something more with the blog. I started researching Trademarking so that I could make it a brand. I have notebooks full of ideas. I had a friend who was excited and working on it with me. We had a falling out later that summer [I'm still not sure what happened]. So, I've been building things much slower. I have never stopped wanting to create the brand and make a difference. In the past few months, I have felt the blog growing and the support has been amazing!! This is my life dream and you all love and support the movement and myself. THANK YOU!

So now, it's finally happening!

Paulina @ Color Me Brave and I have been talking about selling shirts and other products since the summer. We were both really busy and didn't have time to do the research. Now that I'm only working one job I've had some more time. Paulina and her mom also lost their jobs last week and she and I think that this will be a great way for her to stay on her feet.

The two of us are pairing together to sell some Warrior Queen and Color Me Brave swag! Please fill out this form so that we can know what type of specifics our readers would be interested in!


Happy Tuesday!!!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. For every e-book purchased I will receive commission. 

 Creating a Beautiful Little Christmas.

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Carabox Reveal!!

Happy Monday!!

Have you linked up for 5 Little Grins yet? What are you waiting for??

Two posts on a Monday because I'm motivated! Also, I've been so, so excited to reveal my carabox from Sarah @ Crazy Beautiful Life.

Have you heard of the Carabox Exchange? If you haven't, head on over to Wifessionals and check it out!

This exchange I was matched with Sarah who sent me this wonderful gift box and Nilda @ Entirely My Own. Head on over to Nilda's blog to check out the gift I put together for her. I super loved putting it together with fall things!!

It was amazing getting to know these women.

Nilda is a fellow teacher in a warm state who got married over the summer. Her wedding pictures are GORGEOUS and we bonded over football and teaching. I could just tell getting to know her that she is an excellent teacher. I hope she loves the gift I put together for her.

When I met Sarah she was days away from getting married!! I loved hearing all about her wedding and, I seriously think that we're going to be friends for a very long time! She's just started a Scentsy business and social media consulting. She has such great things ahead of her!

She got me the best fall box ever!

CANDY

Sorry for the bright living room...

She asked if I wanted to have some gifts specific to Kentucky and I said HECK YES! 

I love these mini bottles!! 

Candy in a Skull travel container!! I love it!!!! 

I also got a cute, delicious smelling candle. You can see it in one of those bright pictures. I was too excited to find a less bright area to take pictures -__-

This is going to be my last Carabox exchange for awhile because I have so much other stuff going on! It's wedding crunch time + amazing WQ stuff [find out more tomorrow!]

Have a wonderful Monday! Don't forget to link up -- and check out Creating A Beautiful Little Christmas!!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. For every e-book purchased I will receive commission. 

 Creating a Beautiful Little Christmas.

Check out one of our featured Warrior Queens: