Why Everyone Needs An Ashley Around

Happy Tuesday, y'all! This title may seem a little conceited, but I assure you I am not talking about myself today! 

Back in November, I did a blog post on, "Why Everyone Needs A Melanie Around" in honor of one of my best friend's birthdays. As previously mentioned, the post was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Dana Mannarino, creator of The Champagne Edit, who did a blog post in honor of her best friend for their birthday. 

And I couldn't help but want to do one more post like this for my best friend, Ashley. Ashley and I have been friends since sixth grade, so we are going on 15 years of friendship at this point. I honestly have no doubt that Ashley and I will be friends well into our elder years - definitely my life long friend! 

With that being said, you know you have an 'Ashley' in your life when:

SHE'S DOWN FOR ANYTHING & ALWAYS LIFTS YOU UP

Ashley has always been the "up for anything" type of gal. I've always been a little more on the timid or reserved side, and Ashley is anything but. She's confident and super outgoing -- which allowed many opportunities for her to encourage me to live outside of my comfort zone every once in a while. I'm still a fairly shy person with people I don't know, but when Ashley is around, I genuinely feel more comfortable and more of a lively person. Her positive energy always shines through and is easily reflected on those around her!

SHE WILL NEVER JUDGE YOU

Through many years of friendship, Ashley has seen all sides of me. The good, the bad, and the ever so ugly. I know that when I come to Ashley with any mistake, she will never judge me for any decision I've made. Don't get me wrong, Ashley will always tell me like it is, but when it comes down to it, she won't cast judgments on anything -- and I truly think that's because she always tries to look at things from your perspective and finds the good in your heart no matter what.

SHE WILL ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK

No matter what is going on, I know that I can always count on Ashley to be there. She's definitely a loyal one when it comes to sticking up for you, doing whatever she has to do to be there for you, and protect you. It's probably one of my favorite things about her - having that full confidence that she will always be on my side. Even if I may be in the wrong, she's with me - and I know I can count on her 110%.


BONUS: She is always down for 2000's pop music. 
Hello Usher & Jesse McCartney (two of our absolute favorites to play)! We enjoy listening to all of their songs still to this day on occasion and we will jam out hard core as we sing every single word at the top of our lungs.

DOUBLE BONUS: She likes to go to Chili's with me and order the exact same thing, every single time. 
We like stawberry margs, house salad with ranch, sirloin steak medium well, with loaded mashed potatoes and broccoli. What can I say? She's my other half.

Check out these cute photos of us! We were so young in some of these!! Oh how I wish I could have that waist size again LMAO!

Do you have an 'Ashley' in your life?