Forever on the Dance Floor.

Celebrating the Spences in Napa Valley.

:: It's like I waited my whole life for this one night

It's gon' be me, you, and the dance floor. ::

-- Chris Brown

Brad Blakey is always the best date because he unabashedly loves to dance. He was my date to Pi Phi formal my senior year at Pepperdine and that was when I realized how much I appreciate it when people can dance anywhere, anytime. Besides the fact that I adore him, this was a huge factor in my decision to ask him to be my date to Karli and Nick's wedding in Napa Valley. Another good thing about Brad is that he doesn't seem to mind when I repeatedly want to get down to Chris Brown's, "Forever," my favorite dance party jam. And by repeatedly, I mean every day.

I would prefer to have dance parties on a daily basis, but because of jobs and other such limitations, I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll just have to wait for epic occasions like Kar and Nick's nuptials (although sometimes, I admit, I've been known to host impromptu dance parties in parking garages, friends' kitchens, and grocery stores). In those situations, I depend on a date like Brad to be just excited about the evening's dance party as I am. And he always lives up to the expectations I have for him. In fact, he usually surpasses them.

I've noticed that many people are uncomfortable with strutting their stuff on the dance floor, and this realization has allowed me to learn how much I appreciate those people who don't give a care in the world what others think about their moves. So here's to you, Mr. Blakey, for always being the perfect date, the perfect friend who will never fail me on the dance floor.

Also, I would like to have the acoustic version of "Forever" played as
my first dance at my own wedding someday.
Please, no one steal this idea.

Thanks be to Libby Senna.

:: Considering life's brevity, we should travel abundantly, with great enthusiasm. ::

Peter Megargee Brown

The balcony of Chateau Smith in Malibu. Long live 21228.

So. I haven't updated my blog in TWO MONTHS. How does that happen? Complacency and busyness, I suppose. I had a few faithful blog followers mention something to me about how I hadn't written in awhile, and, because I appreciated that they read my blog, I promised to update its content soon. But I never did. It wasn't until a serious fire was lit underneath me by Elizabeth Senna. I met Libby through Katie Van Buskirk and, to be honest, our friendship has grown thanks to social media. I think it's safe to say that we keep tabs on each other through Facebook, Twitter, and our blogs. Except that she couldn't keep track of my blog because I wasn't writing anything. Which must have prompted her to send the following message via Twitter:

• "RayJ, I religiously check your blog to see if you've updated and you NEVER DO. As a loyal reader, I'm begging you to update!"

I don't know if it was the capitalization, the use of one of my favorite nicknames (also fondly used by Jonathan Clark), or the compliment of securing her readership, but I was just thrown into writing/updating gear. Libby is an incredible writer, so her encouragement was just what I needed to get me back to blogging.

So why did I spend so much time away from my blog? I'd have to blame it on the travel. I am so blessed that I lead an insanely busy, beautiful life, full of exciting adventures that focus on the exploration of the world. Since I last updated in July, I've:

• Lived in a beach house in Malibu (thanks to the Smith brothers, who kindly let Erin Macdonald, Dave Kob, and I move in)
• Toasted to Karli and Nick's engagement at a couple's shower in Pleasanton, CA
• Checked "see Coldplay live" off of my life's to-do list by attending their concert in San Diego with Becca
• Gallivanted around Los Angeles, going to Dodgers games and sailing across the Pacific Ocean (maybe not quite across it, but definitely from Marina del Rey to Malibu)
• Celebrated Karli's engagement (again) by having a bridal shower at the gorgeous, '70s/James Perse-inspired Ace Hotel in Palm Springs
• Traveled home to Chicago for a Jantsen's Gift book party honoring Pam Cope and Aimee Molloy, while rounding out the weekend by enjoying Mike and Renata LaBelle's wedding
• Gone to Ghana for two weeks to volunteer at the Children's Art Village, work with my incredible boss (Pam), and rescue 13 sweet children from Lake Volta
• Been honored by the greatest group of friends when they threw a "moving-to-Dallas" surprise party for me in Malibu
• Loved on Jonathan and Mallory Clark as they recited their vows, and reveled in another Commune-ist reunion
• Paddle-boarded in the ocean off of La Costa beach in Malibu with Nick Mason, constituting one of my favorite adventures in Southern California
• Spent Labor Day Weekend with Karli and her other bridesmaids, soaking up the sunshine, drinking Steve King margaritas, and enjoying the few weeks Karli had left as a single lady
• Moved from Chateau Five Oh Nine, my sweet apartment in Santa Monica, and road-tripped to Dallas, Texas, where my new loft awaited me
• Participated in the most beautiful wedding of all time in Napa Valley, also known as the union of Karli Megan and Nicholas Michael Spence

As you might imagine, this didn't leave much time for blogging. But after I read Libby's message, I started wondering why I didn't carve out the time to write. I guess part of it is due to the fact that I'm a people-person; given the option, I'd always rather spend time with loved ones than absorb the peace and quiet of an evening in. But pausing is so important. It allows us to give thanks for the amazing adventures in our lives, reminding us of the little details that compose our very beings and make them so much richer.

I will continue to travel, abundantly, and with great enthusiasm. But I will begin to document the details so that I can properly celebrate the little things. I'm talking about the little things that compose the bigger picture that is life. You know, the little things that, deconstructed, are the things that mean most to us when our confusion about life and love is at its height. Those little things that never cease to remind us of the blessings found in every crevice of life. And I will continue writing about them. I will continue blogging. Abundantly, and with great enthusiasm.

Spending Fourth of July on the beach with Becca.

Mike Miller and I could be soul mates, I think.

Mom visited Malibu and, of course, we had to take out one of her favorite friends (and mine): Nick Mason.

Karli and Nick's couples shower in Pleasanton.

I love that no matter what changes in our lives, we will always maintain the most beautiful, creepy friendship.

The Coldplay concert in San Diego. Perfection.

Family (Brody, Erin, Mac, and me) at the Dodgers game.

Sailing all over the Pacific Ocean. Our best adventure yet.

Karli's bridal shower at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.

There's not much better than a night of outdoor living rooms, not having to change out of your bathing suit, fabulous food, and the best friends.

We were obviously addicted to the photo booth at the hotel.

At the Jantsen's Gift book party in Chicago with Mom, Pam, and Aimee, three of the most influential women in my life.

High school girlfriends (Molly, Katie, Kelly, and I) re-unite for Mike's wedding.

Oh, how I love my brother and his return to the United States.

Back to Ghana, where I left my heart.

Momma with three of my favorite boys: Famous, Dodzi, and Moses. How lucky am I that my mom and I get to have these adventures together?

With Emmanuel and Joel. So beautiful.

Pam and I with our irreplaceable staff (George, Jr., George, and Kofi) on Lake Volta.

I have the best boss on the planet. No contest.

Sweet Joseph, waiting to get a check-up at the clinic in Kete-Krachi. One of the most difficult and important days of my life.

My best friend in the whole, wide world, who orchestrated the most fabulous surprise party.

I had NO idea. My friends are epic.

With my fabulous bests (by the way, yes, you can have more than one best friend; though it's a term I've used throughout this post, it doesn't diminish its meaning because the women who earn its title deserve it), Erin and Bec, at Jon and Mallory's wedding.

Commune-ists together again.

Floyd brought us some sweets before we hit the dance floor.

Nick took me paddle-boarding so I could check it off of my Malibu bucket list. We had the greatest afternoon.

Nicky, you are just too fantastic.

Gettin' it, with Chateau Smith in the background.

The most perfect Labor Day weekend spent at the most perfect lakehouse.

I just don't think I've ever laughed as hard as when Katie and I were tubing.

Chateau Five Oh Nine, you served me well.

I will always be able to call Santa Monica "home."

Roadtrip nation. Do it to it, Lars.

Somewhere in southwestern America. Let's say Arizona or New Mexico.

Dallas, Texas. Loft life begins.

My beautiful best got married!

With the bride and the maid of honor.

Bridesmaid-ing.

Bradshaw Blakey is always the best date.

Another fantastic reunion. We are good at this game.

Soaking up time in the vineyards. Napa Valley, I will be your resident someday.