Flashback Friday When I Felt Pretty

It was December 31st 2007.  New Year's Eve.  All of my bests and our men (those who had them) were celebrating at Sirico's Catering Hall in Brooklyn.  This was pre-baby so I was still getting lots of girl time: dinners, dancing, bars, movies, game nights, even a day at The Painted Pot pottery shop.  I felt good in my place in the world.  Andy and I were over that first year struggle in our marriage and we were really happy and I felt really close to all of my girlfriends.  But more than that, this was the first time, including my wedding day that I actually felt beautiful.

Not just pretty.  But really beautiful...and thin.  This was the only time I can actually recall loving my body.  I was newly vegan and had dropped about 15 pounds in a little less than three months and I felt fantastic.  You can't see it in the picture but the dress has a cut out back, which is something I would shy away from now because of unsightly back fat.  But at that point in my life I was healthy, thin, beautiful and surrounded by people who made me so happy.  I know I'll never get down to that weight again, unless I go vegan again, but I'm hoping to one day love my body and my life like I did that night.  It really was one of my very best memories.

And my girls looked pretty good too (from left me, Crotch, Christina, Christie.  Meg, Teresa and Lara are not pictured)