Madelyn: 2 Booze: 0

What's the opposite of a hangover? Whatever it might be, that's how I feel! My girlfriends wedding this weekend in Santa Barbara was so lovely and not one single person noticed I wasn’t drinking alcohol the entire time. Two of the cousins were pregnant (sweet sisters I've known for years and years, our family ties goes back 3 generations) so being not drinking at this stage of life, I typically have more company than if I attempted this in my 20s. It's interesting that Alec and I both realized not a single person asked what we did for a living - I swear we were extremely social! In Seattle it's quite noticeable how many people ask the 'What do you do for work?' question right away when getting acquainted with someone. Wedding attendees were from all over, but primarily in from Southern California or New York state. Most conversations started with 'Who do you know, bride or groom?' then landed on discussing what part of the country you lived in and swiftly bloomed one of those fast friendship wedding's are so great at facilitating. Each toast I clinked a champagne glass, but sipped on my water the whole night. Ninety percent of my time was spent on the dance floor as usual. According to the 'Quit Lit' I've been tearing through, everyone who gives up alcohol is worried they won't be able to dance anymore because they are too insecure about their dance moves without the booze booster. Not me! Thanks mom for investing in years of dance classes, I was basically performing choreographed routines in made up in real time (brag!). One of the bridesmaids is a personality/influencer for Barstool Sports and I know for sure if I was drinking there would be mentions of my drunken antics reported somewhere on that part of the internet. My sober senses allowed me to avoid that kind of attention completely! I spent some quality time with the bride's grandmother, La La, who went to college with my grandfather and has been dear friends with my paternal grandparents ever since. It was special to see a matriarch like Lala be proud of the fruits of the multi-generational friendship she fostered all those decades ago. She was absolutely beaming watching her granddaughter make her dream of marriage come true. So what's the opposite of a hangover? Participating in sweet moments and cherish the present when they are happening, the ability to remember and reminisce on those moments, and being able to work all day the next day and do 2 workouts. Now that I've conquered and thoroughly enjoyed a vacation and a wedding without alcohol, next challenge will be a work event! Madelyn: 2 Booze: 0.

 I'm sitting on the dock in my backyard right now, watching two baby ducklings dive for tadpoles - so cute!