SincerelyErin

I think she is FABULOUS!

01 Dec 2011 3 Comments

by Erin Elizabeth Jones in Birthday, Bridal, Fashion, Funnies, My Favorite Things, Weddings

Well, today is the birthday of one of my dearest friends.  Today she is turning 30!  I want to celebrate her on my blog today!

Here goes:

Tina D’Ariano.  Her first name is actually Diamantina.  I think it’s beautiful!  A few of us tease her that no one can pronounce her name right, so it never sticks!  ;)

I met Tina about 4  years ago at our church.  I remember her big, curly, fabulous hair & of course her cute clothes.  She is a fashionista for sure.  As a matter of fact she has quite an elaborate shoe collection.

Shortly after meeting her she came to the young adult ministry my husband & I pastor & I got a chance to invite her to my small group.  She always had things to say & add to the group as we met, but she was still not completely sure about the whole church thing & the whole Jesus thing.  We joke that she would come to group/church and then go wild after she left.  I loved her all the same.  Slowly but surely she became more & more serious about her relationship with Jesus.  I was so proud of her.

There is really so much I could say about our journey/friendship together, but the bottom line is that she has grown so much in so many areas of her life.  She loves Jesus, she loves her family & she loves to give to others.  There have been countless times that people from the church have needed a place to stay and she ALWAYS has opened her home.  Whenever someone was throwing a bridal shower, birthday or baby shower she would always volunteer her house.  I remember when she moved into her new home she said that she wanted to use it to be a blessing to other people.  Tina is so unselfish.  She is always thinking about others.

Tina is super determined.  When she sets her mind to something she is going to do it!  Sometimes her determination has made me laugh about certain things she has been “determined to do.”  We won’t go there on the blog today.

Tina & I have had our ups & downs, we’ve shared happy times and sad times, we have sat with one another and prayed with one another, we have celebrated joys & successes, we have recognized failures & defeats together & I can truly say she is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet.  I love doing life with her.  I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to share my life with her & her share hers with me.

Some of the things Tina does that make me laugh:

She buys things and then returns them like nobody’s business.  She always finds something “better” or “just what she was looking for.”  I remember the first time I went with her on a “return spree” I looked in the car at all the bags & thought to myself, “this chic is not playin’ !”

She spends so much time accessorizing.  Not just with her clothes but with her home too.  I will never forget the day I went shopping with her for a birthday outfit.  HILARIOUS!  She spent HOURS toiling over the perfect accessories for her ensemble.  Don’t get me wrong, I love accessorizing, but she is one of a kind!  Even with her home….One week certain vases or pictures will be in one spot and the next week they will be in a totally different room.  It’s hilarious!

Some things I appreciate about Tina:

When I got engaged, she was there in NYC with me.  What a special moment.  I’m so glad I got to share it with her & another dear friend, Elishya.  She celebrated with me and shared in my joy.  You don’t always find that in every friendship. It’s easy for jealousy or discouragement to come in. This is not the case with Tina though.

Tina was there with me through some of the planning of my wedding.  She was such an encouragement through the whole process.  She was always excited when I shared wedding details with her, you know stuff us girly girls love.  Even when I was sick right before my wedding her & a few other friends came and wrapped all my candy apples favors while I laid on the couch.   She celebrated with me at my bridal shower & picked out an amazing Diva handbag cake (I still think about that cake), then when my husband & I bought our first home & so many other exciting life events.  She’s a friend that is there & truly shares in your joys.  I truly believe Tina is going to reap all of those things back to her because she has sewn so much love, joy, goodness, kindness & encouragement into so many people’s lives.

Tina is sensitive.  She is sensitive to how others feel.  She is really good about noticing when people are down or need a hug.  That is such a great attribute to have.

Tina teaches & leads ladies in our young adult group, she is an example to so many.  She is passionate about helping others & there have been countless times that her acts of service & her ability to lead have brought me to tears. (Yep, I am crying now)  I’m not here saying Tina is a perfect person, but I’m saying she’s am imperfect person who strives to do her best!  Tina is what I’d like to call, “Real.”  I love “real” people.

I really could go on & on but I don’t want to make my other friends sad.  Haha.  Just kidding.

Today I celebrate Tina’s life.  I celebrate the woman that she is.  I celebrate the life that she gives to so many around her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FABULOUS TINA!

If you know her & she’s impacted your life in some way, show her some birthday love & leave a comment at the top of this post (under the date)