Girl's Night Out | HeartStories

You’re still here

Today is my dear friend Miranda‘s birthday. When I scrolled to her profile on Facebook to wish her a quick HBD, I noticed a video in the “music” section of her profile. It was a familiar face that drew me in. It was Nichole Nordeman and her song called, “Sound of surviving” it stopped me in my tracks.

I remember when I first heard that song.

I remember what I felt. I remember how much it encouraged me. I remember how much I needed to hear it in that moment. I clicked the play button and let that song play on repeat.

It turns out I needed to hear it again today.

I don’t think those words will ever get old. It’s this beautiful, vulnerable, empowering outlook that comes from seeing the purpose in pain. It’s about sifting out the meaning and the growth that comes from struggle. It’s the perspective that it’s …

Have you ever had one of those days when you’re feeling super stuck and you need friends to support you, but you feel like you’ve asked too much? You think they’re too busy to help. You don’t want to bother them by making your fire drill their fire drill.

I had one of those days recently.

I was feeling especially stuck with regard to our marketing of the HeartStories GNO. Krystin, who has been running all our marketing, found out that she is pregnant with twin baby girls (YAY!). We’re all so happy for her! AND, that means her life is changing significantly, so she won’t be able to continue this fast pace with us through our current level of rapid growth. Amid what felt like a million simultaneous conversations, I thought I had exhausted all my resources but then, I had this sudden inkling to reach out to my friend Brooklyn. …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Our Story Leave a comment chat

I can tell you right now this beautiful lady is going to kill me as soon as she sees this post. That’s alright. It will be worth it.

She’s worth it.

This was the day we visited Cut! by Cinemark to walk the venue to finalize the plans for our Chick Flick GNO next week. The plans for the site visit fell together at the last minute and Kim, our events assistant, had a previous commitment at that time, so I just jumped in the car. Meanwhile, Vanessa (our official HeartStories Photographer) wanted to come with me to scout out the space and lighting set up. Most anyone who has worked with me can attest that when I’m working, I’m looking for efficiency, especially in the summer. I’m passionate about what we’re creating in the world, AND when it comes to my to-do list, I’m all about getting it done. Vanessa is a …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love in Friendship Loving Others Our Story The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

One quick glance at this image instantly spreads a smile across my face. It’s from our “fireside chat” time at last month’s girls night out. Brooklyn was clearly telling one of her hilarious “Brooklyn” stories, the way only she can. Meanwhile, Sally and I are smiling those “Oh my gosh, is she really about to say this right now?” smiles. I love it because I couldn’t possibly tell you which story she was telling. Brooklyn tells wild, colorful stories. She pulls you in with details, suspense, and surprises at every turn.

What I love most is her determination to keep moving forward, despite the fear.

The stories Sally and Brooklyn shared that night were full of moments when they could have allowed fear to hold them back. They could have listened to their fears. They could have allowed the fears of others to be the guardrails that “kept them safe”. But instead, …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Priorities The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

This is Shakari, she was a fangirl for a minute. We met last week while I conducting our first “official” site visit at the new Cut! by Cinemark movie theater, where we’re hosting the Chick Flick GNO. We were there measuring all the spaces, talking to all the people, and of course, taking all the pictures. As soon as we finished a quick video, we noticed Shakari taking our picture like she thought I was someone famous. Instantly seeing what was going on, Vanessa offered to take a photo of us together.

I ran back behind the bar, hugged her, and we had a good laugh before Vanessa snapped this photo.

Shakari is awesome, and I hope she ends up working our event with us. She instigated a good moment for me because we’ve been having a lot of internal conversations of late, about me stepping out to be more “the face” …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others Loving Yourself Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life 2 comments chat

“One day you will wake up and you will be so glad you did not settle. You will be so glad you did not give up. You will be so glad you did not sync yourself to someone else’s pace and you chose instead, to anchor yourself in a steady rhythm of grace.” ~ Morgan Harper Nichols

The images came in last night from Jenny Martell of JMar Portraits, our HeartStories GNO 3rd Birthday Party and I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling for one moment since. The album is brimming with photos of women laughing, smiling, hugging, connecting and enjoying life together. It portrays EXACTLY what I’ve spent 6+ years dreaming of, and 3 years building, through this girls night out. It’s happening.

Every single month, we get the privilege of reconnecting busy women to inspire the joy they crave and the courage to pursue their purpose.

At the end of the night …

by Crystal Gornto Community Female Social Entrepreneurs Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love in Friendship Our Story Purpose The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

Girl’s Night Out

You’re still here

You’re not asking too much

I’ll go with you

Just me, just you

A steady rhythm of grace