Back in the day, I use to see people cry of happiness and I didn’t quite understand it. I was taught that we cry when we are sad and we laugh when we are happy. This past weekend, I finally felt what it was like to cry from joy while vacationing in the Dominican Republic with my friend Tara who was celebrating her upcoming wedding. Tara and I met when I was in first grade and we carried out our relationship as ‘besties’ until Freshman year of college when she left to attend school at Hampton University.
Years later, I showed up at her house with everything I owned in my car. I had just started a blog and was on my way to Atlanta with no real plan. She had just bought a new home, had graduated dental school and was now referred to as a much deserved ‘Dr’. She was so sweet and un-judgmental of my circumstances but I remember feeling a real sense of ‘I have failed’. When I left her house that night, I told myself “Necole, you have to get it together’. Standing there with my former best friend was my wake up call of what you can become when you are focused, goal-oriented and determined.
Our vacation this weekend was wonderful. I was so filled with joy and so happy for her upcoming wedding that I couldn’t stop crying. You would have thought I was getting hitched. LOL! We spent the weekend poolside, eating fresh mangos while talking about life. We also parasailed, received spa treatments (well some of us.. I overslept) and visited the local club. There was not one dramatic or bickering moment and proof that sometimes what you see on reality TV when women get together isn’t really reality. There was a gathering of nine successful women, on an island with no access to phones, internet or a clock and we bonded in a major way.
I was particularly inspired by Candace who owns her own dentist practice, while juggling a 1 and 3 year old. Her husband is a teamplayer who helps take the kids to school and starts dinner before she returns home from work. She was a testament that you can juggle a successful career, marriage and kids as long as you and your husband are working towards a common goal and you are willing to work together as a team.
Tara and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking until we fell asleep like good times. Throughout the years I have been so lucky to have an amazing friend like her in my life and I love her to death. She is going to be such an amazing mother and wife and I can’t wait to see it all unfold.
Enjoy the pics!
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Hi, I'm Necole!
Love this! I’m a 20 year young woman and I pray to God that as I get older, I find a group of women to gel with and to be able to share anything with. God bless, Necole; love your blog!
Awww I love it. Yes, you and your friend are inspiring! *stay blessed*
I absolutely love that you posted on this, I think its amazing to have friends that you have known since you were a kid, have time apart, and still come together as friends in the end, no fighting, no bickering, just adult stuff. Also really glad you mentioned that when two people work toward a common goal there is nothing else to be but successful. My husband and I are a true testament!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! YOU GO NECOLE! You are an inspiration. I am 26 years and started a degree at 24 in biomedical science after putting it off for some years due to some personal problems. I’m half way there-THANK GOD- I myself hope to have good, grounded friends who will support me along the way. I love and read your blog everyday and you are proof that you CAN become whatever you want as long as you have faith, determination and a willingness to work hard. Congrats to your friend Tara and all the best for her future as a married woman. Cheers to you Necole.
This looks and sounds a lot like my vacation to Cancun with 9 other wonderful ladies I am proud to call my friends! I have come to the conclusion that reality tv isn’t reality it’s ratings tv. Futher more it’s not my reality!
I follow your blog faithfully. Your stories have inspired me in more ways than one! Every time I read your story on how you got to where you are, it literally brings tears to my eyes because I am following in somewhat of the same footsteps but its involves fashion. Thank you for being a leader to young women like myself. You never know the power of your words and how they can lift someone’s spirit or help them to take that extra step! This post has helped me to appreciate the true friends I have, hopefully one day we can go and enjoy the Dominican Republic. Stay blessed! Live….Love……Inspire
I love to see such positivity where Black women are involved. There is so much negativity in the media especially towards us and where our relationships are concerned that I really wish that lovely experiences like yours would get more attention. I’m glad you all had such a great time and don’t feel bad for crying, that’s very emotional stuff! Congrats to your friend and I hope to have moments like these, myself with my group of girls.
I remember all those time necole…we had so much fun back then…so innocent and carefree…those weret the days…if it weren’t for those days we wouldn’t be the ppl we are today….our down points jus make us stronger…tara is my sister and I opened my heart to u as well when we al used to hang out..I kno it wasn’t always easy for any of us but I’m extremely proud of u..I wish u nuthin but happiness and success..much love…CSD c/o 1998….
You have me crying. The funny thing is I have wanted to get together with a bunch of my friends for the longest time now the only thing I was worried about is who would get along with who. I am the social butterfly so I mesh with everyone. Thank you for sharing this awesome story with us.
Beautiful! What a great place to visit. =) So happy for you and your friend Tara! Staying up talking to friends till the wee hours of the morning is the best! Haha. Good times!
As a 20 year old, I only hope to have my friendships blossom into something like this. I pray for much success and a man to build a life with, including children. This is beautiful. Sometimes wanting more for ourselves can help inspire our friends. I’m glad you have Tara in your life because she helped set you straight and make the blog because I love it and can’t go a day without it…
Tara seems like a great woman who has life figured out, Candace too. Nine STRONG BLACK woman together, enjoying life is a BLESSING! Just make sure you continue to thank God for her, your success and most importantly, your life.
Love you Necole! xoxo!
Awww that is so sweet Necole. A group of successful black women, how about that??? Yes, black women can get together without all of the drama and jealousy and have a great time.
I lost my very best friend (since the age of 5) in March to cancer, I survived my cancer at an advanced stage, but she didn’t. Life is so unfair sometimes. I will always cherish our friendship and I miss her so very much.
You are so blessed Necole. Continue to be there for one another through thick and thin. I sincerely hope that the next celebration will be for you and your upcoming nuptials 🙂 God bless.
@Ashley: I agree a 100% with you!
To have good and loyal friends is very good and rare! It is good to have good female friends supporting you when you need them. I wish that as I get older they good ones stay. Wish you Necole all the best!! 🙂
Hey girlie! Loved, loved, loved your blog!!! I came home and added your websites to my favorites, and today when I checked it I was pleasantly surprised. You are such a beautiful person inside and out. I’m so glad we all had the opportunity to spend some time together. Keep doing what you’re doing, keep learning how to balance your professional life with your personal life. Some people are purposeful and some are eternal. I’m so glad you and Tara are the later. Love you!
Is one of the girls in the pic named Tiki Swain? If so, I went to school with her.
Hey Necole!! It was such a pleasure meeting you this weekend in the DR! It was a fabulous time with a great group of women – A big reflection of Tara!! What a wonderful friendship you two have. I am loving your blog and you should be SO proud of how much of an inspiration that you are to young women. What a compliment you gave me and my family on your blog! I was truly touched by what you said. Keep going and I wish you THE BEST in your career, love, and life!! You deserve it. I’ll see you at Tara’s wedding! Much love, Candice
I just found your blog and I absolutely love it. SO refreshing to see something positive, uplifting, and sisterhood.
Your story is inspiring (read your bio) and is very timely as I am in the throws of launching my own business. Much success to you and your amazing peers. I’ll be revisiting your blog often.