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Girl’s Night Out

Signs of life

When I look at this image, I see women filled with joy and wonder.  I see laughter. (It may only be because of the awkwardness of the posing and looking in all different directions, but there is laughter nonetheless.)  The day we made these floral crowns was supposed to be about a creative photoshoot for the Crowns of Clover Girls Night Out (happening tonight!).  But it ended up being about authentic connection through friendship.  It ended up being a life-giving break in the middle of the day.

That’s because that’s what happens when we show up for each other.  

Even in the rush and the frenzy of getting everything done.  Even getting ourselves, and everything else cleaned, ready, and set just exactly “so”, almost instantly gave way to laughter and connection.  It’s the magic of friendship that emerges when we set aside time, away from the frenzy of our overscheduled lives for …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Words Love In Action Loving Yourself The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Signs of hope

Have you ever met a new friend and you didn’t feel that instant connection in the very first moment? Like it wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows and magical BFFs at first?  But once you took the time to really see her for who she is, you can’t get enough?

That’s my friend Stephanie.  

I met her at the end of one particularly fun HeartStories Girls Night Out.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  She stayed afterward, waited to introduce herself and say “hello” to me.  She was so kind and genuine.  She mentioned how much she appreciated what we were doing and I thanked her.  We spoke for all of about 3 minutes and then parted ways.

I had no idea that we would later become friends. 

I was tired and in search of a bed.  (I dont think I would have known Reese Witherspoon if she was standing there that night.)  Fast …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspiration Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Loving Yourself The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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You, are a queen

I didn’t grow up loving fresh-cut flower arrangements.  In fact, I’ve always mostly thought they were a poor choice for a gift because they die so quickly and they make more work for the receiver who has to water them and care for them.

That is until I met florist, Lauren Sorden of Blue Posy Floral Design.

You think I’m kidding or exaggerating, but I’m not.  For our first six months, to one year of HeartStories Girls Night Out, I would cut wildflowers and drop them in little Edison bulb vases on each of the tables. Voila!  We had flowers! But when Kelly Simants temporarily joined the team to elevate the entire experience, my wildflower dreams quickly transformed into the fresh-cut professional floral arrangements.  They were stunning, but I knew they weren’t sustainable without a long-term floral partner.

That’s when I met Lauren. 

Not only did she begin creating stunning displays for Girls Night …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspiration Inspirational Women Love in Friendship Leave a comment chat
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Give us Galentines or give us death!

Does Valentine’s day sometimes feel like an over-commercialized, forced attempt to celebrate a holiday for lovers? 

The tradition started simply because Chaucer, in The Canterbury Tales, decreed the February feast of St. Valentinus to the mating of birds (because English birds paired off to produce eggs in February).  This led to nature-minded European nobility sending love notes during bird-mating season and eventually lovers everywhere began celebrating love on Feb. 14.  Industrialization has increased expectations with mass-produced cards, gifts, flowers, and chocolates. Nonetheless, the idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day has become second-nature as we shower the ones we love with declarations of love and that’s certainly not a bad thing.

But today on February 13th, we celebrate a newer (and more fun) tradition called Galentine’s Day!

Galentines Day is a celebration of female friendship.  February 13th is the day women across the world celebrate female friendship! Women, both single and in relationships, use the …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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When it rains . . .

This is a moment of behind-the-scenes truth being told.

We had wildly different plans for our Galentines Sip & Stroll GNO.  It wasn’t supposed to be a Sip ‘n Stroll at all.  It was supposed to be a “Galentine’s Pamper Party”.  We had all the fun plans for how it was going down.  Until, at the last minute, the week of Christmas, with a house full of guests, I found out about an unexpected change that upset the entire apple cart.  Suddenly we needed a new location to host our giant pamper party.  You know the saying.

When it rains . . . it pours.

In moments like these, I try to practice breathing deeply and remembering that every problem has a solution.  It may look very different than the solution I was expecting, but every problem has a solution . . . as long as I’m open to discovering it.  It will …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Our Story Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Showing up matters

It’s been a rough week it’s been on so many of our hearts. I’m not even a sports fan, unless my kids are playing. Kobe Bryant wasn’t on my radar.  Though he was a legend, he wouldn’t even have ranked in 10,000 people I was thinking about going into the weekend.

But oh, what a difference a day makes.

His passing in such a tragic event, while being an engaged parent, seemed to stop the heartbeat of the world momentarily.  It felt like a sucker punch in the gut to sports fans and parents near and far.  It’s been such a heavy few days, even for me, until a random moment with Noah, we just happened to catch the quick clip of Elle Duncan, a sportscaster on ESPN (at about minute 1:20) offering a tribute to Kobe’s life.  Through tears, she shared:

“I suppose that the only small source of comfort for me …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Motherhood Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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