My Friend Maddy

A month or so after I started my MBA program I had a girl reach out to me via LinkedIn who was also pursuing an MBA. We were in the same finance class (still can't believe I actually passed that class) and we quickly became friends and moral support to survive that first block in the full swing of things. Jaden and I had made the decision to choose the EY internship and I kind of couldn't believe that my new friend from school lived in Chicago. We made plans to meet up while we were there for the summer and this week we made it happen. 

Jaden and I drove down south of the city where my friend Maddy and her husband lived and had a barbeque with them. I think it is so crazy that two girls doing grad school through a university in Utah were able to meet up and hang out in Chicago of all places. It was fun to actually meet and talk to her in person. They had us over for a backyard barbeque and we contributed a salad (in our recently purchased mixing bowl... I already miss my dishes). It surprisingly cooled off a lot so we moved inside and met their poofy Pomeranian dog, saw her husband's Lego collection and chatted for a little bit longer before heading home. She and her husband just purchased a home in St. Louis and will be moving there for his work and school so it really was perfect timing that we could see them before they moved. 

The rest of the week was pretty foggy and cloudy so we stayed inside a lot and watched movies and I did homework. I will say that it has been tricky juggling everything over the past few months but it's been even more difficult here in Chicago because I just want to spend time with Jaden and explore the city. It's tough being the only one who has homework but I'm pushing through. 

Jaden did take me on a date to a restaurant called the Dearborn which was really yummy. They have a fish and chips dish that was featured on Beat Bobby Flay and actually won the competition so of course we had to try that, I had their burger that was really yummy. Then we walked down to see Jade's office building. I am so proud of him and the hard work that got us here. I told him sometimes I have to pinch myself that we are living here and making so many fun memories we'll look back on with fondness forever.

There's a song by Gabby Barrett called "The Good Ones" that I love because it reminds me of Jade. He really is one of the good ones. 

This week made me think back to a phrase my mission president's wife would always say "we're here on earth to help each other back home." It is so fun and fulfilling to go through life and see how our paths cross with people as we take advantage of opportunities that have resulted from lot of hard work and faith. 

Peaches

• Meeting my friend Maddy
• Jaden picked up the famous Stan's doughnuts on his way home from work we were shocked they still had some available usually they are completely sold out by the time the evening rolls around. Blueberry cake is the best one for sure
• Saw a vacuum that had Norma written on it which reminded me of Suits our current fav show
• Seeing Jaden's work
• Eating at the Dearborn
• I love having a gym in our apartment building 
• Groceries are cheaper here than in Pittsburgh which was shocking 
• Church meetings focused on father's and our Heavenly Father were really good

Pits

• Feeling slightly concerned I am going to kill Jacquelyn and Dane's plants they gave us custody over for the summer
• Homework
• Missing family especially our dads on Father's Day