Tag Archives: Best Friend

My Crystal Baller: 🔮

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Happy Birthday

It’s been said a time or two that opposites attract. Crystal and I are the mere definition of that saying. However, our relationship has been fierce from the start. Nearly three decades of one million memories, ten thousand jokes, one hundred shared secrets, all for one reason: best friends. Today is my number ones 30th Birthday and I couldn’t have enough lovely things to say about my unbiological sister and how happy I am that I found her in this big, wide world.

Crystal, there’s not many things that our friendship hasn’t endured. From the time we were little you were a sweet cupcake in a world full of muffins. We’ve been through crazy times, weddings, funerals, good times and bad, but we’ve never turned our backs on one another — even when we did a little soul searching of our own we were still imprinted on one another’s hearts and souls. May the next thirty years be just the same.

My wish for your coming year is that it’s filled with a little magic and madness, but the good kind of folly. Travel to your hearts desire, see the world and share your many adventures. While you’re at it, read some fine books along the way and get lost in the words and your imagination. Sing at the top of your lungs, Mariah Carey style. Relax and let the world spin madly on, whilst you sip on a fine glass of wine. Do something to surprise yourself. Treat yourself and splurge on something without feeling the slightest bit guilty. Live only as you can. And most importantly, come visit your best friend. Just remember, in an mmmbop it’s gone. Happy 30th my beautiful forever friend. I love you more than any word I could ever write.

Love your best friend for eternity,

Britt x

Almost Thirty: Memory Lane Part II

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The dog days of my youth have commenced, yet the remembrances of my beloved pups over the years have always maintained a place warm in my heart. Weary of most creatures (basically anything but dogs and horses), I wouldn’t dub myself to be an animal obsessed person. Always finding that I keep my distance and woo from afar, there have been a few special dogs over the course of my life have left a print, or paw print if you will.

Timmi was my main man. He was around long before I, as my Mum and Auntie Bev got him as a puppy when they were younger and moved to America. I’m so terrible with breeds that I wouldn’t even be able to tell you what he was, other than my very best friend from the start. It’s true what they say, “LOVE is a four legged word.” Bossing Timmi around, hanging on to him as if he were a miniature-pony and singing Dolly Parton to him incessantly was just a part of every day life in the Webster household. Kind and gentle, he’d always give me kisses good night and be there for me all over again the next morning. Forever my #1!

Timmi and Britt

KEG! A character in his own right and a proper English gentleman, he was a part of the package when I began dating Steve. Initially Keg was Steve’s sister’s, however once Steve returned from overseas and moved back to Phoenix the two instantly became a pair and have been inseparable since. It is without a shadow of a doubt that Steve and Keg were made for each other and their bond makes my heart swell. Keg loves me too…I think!

Keg Balloons

Steve and Keg

The newest addition to the Ochoa family is literally the love of my life, Zoila. Far be it for me to have ever judged anyone on social media that is dog crazed. Over the last four weeks, I have single handedly become that person. Initially when Steve suggested that we get her, I was hesitant. Nervous to add any stress to my already stressful life, I hummed and hawed almost to the point of no return. Yet, as soon as she was born and I saw a picture of her, I knew she and I belonged to one another. Kind of like the opposite to Holly Go-Lightly and her no-named cat. Zoi and I had an instant bond when Steve and I picked her up six weeks later. Since she has come into our lives I feel I have become much softer and a bit more forgiving of my health and my life, filling a massive hole in a once vacant space. It would be the easiest thing for me to gush all day, but I am sure I will be writing about all of the love she has brought into our lives for years to come!

Zoila One Week Old

Britt and Zoila

Zoila Unicorn

Last, but certainly not least is Comet. He wasn’t exactly MY dog, however he was my family’s dog and although I didn’t live with him, he brought such life for my brother’s and sister as they were growing up. Shortly after my family moved back to Arizona, Comet passed away, but as we know ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN!

Comet and Britt

Comet RIP

Thanks for taking this walk with me and some of the purest spirits to have graced my path with their unconditional love. Always kiss your dog goodnight.

Check back tomorrow! x

Love, Britt x

I F*CKING LOVE MY GIRLFRIENDS!

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WHO RUNS THE WORLD

If you drink too much, cuss too much and have questionable morals, you are probably my friend. Okay, all jokes aside, I don’t take the time often enough to say “I F*CKING LOVE MY GIRLFRIENDS!” and the thing is, I do. I’ve always been one of those lucky ducks when it comes to friends, whether past or present, I’ve always had solid girlfriends of all shapes, sizes and opinions. Absolutely there have been a few sour apples in the mix, but the rest of the batch has been unmatched.

After going through the trenches of cancer for the past two years, I realize that I have not been the greatest girlfriend in return. I’m notorious for forgetting to respond to text messages, I make plans and bail and even sometimes become self consumed with my own, crazy life that I don’t spend enough time expressing interest in yours. Yet all the while, without a doubt I still get love and you never fail to leave me off the invite list, even though you know I most likely won’t leave my house (((because, because))) and we can go days, weeks, months and even at times a whole year without spending more than an hour together, but at the drop of a hat I know you’d be there.

This one is for my girls;

Thank you for keeping it real when I have a tendency to do the most ridiculous things or have the most outlandish ideas. I come to you because I know you are wise and honest and will always have my best interest at heart.

To my friends that are now Mom’s — GOD BLESS YOU! None of you will ever truly know how in awe I am of you. I can barely remember to brush my hair and take my crazy pills and yet you manage to not only take the best care of your kid(s), but you also look crazy beautiful and effortless while doing it. I endlessly praise you!

To my friends who have traveling souls, you may not realize this but as a cancer patient I live vicariously. I have been very fortunate to be able to travel even going to Hawaii and the UK just this year, but it’s difficult due to energy levels, treatments, etc. It’s so lovely to see photos or hear stories of your travels, its beautiful to see the thirst people have for adventure and living life to its fullest and the way you see the world is wildly contagious and inspiring.

To all my #Girlboss friends out there, no matter what profession you are in, you work damn hard and deserve it all. Your insane ability to manage squillions of things at once and be on point as a friend is beyond me. Get it!

The fearless friends that hone in on things they love to do and put effort into practicing their craft. With having the attention span of a fly and the energy of a snail, the fact that, unlike me, you take the time to run a marathon or belly dance at the nearest coffee shop means you took the time to learn something, to better yourself and immerse yourself into your passions. How truly motivating, I mean, really.

My point is, I’ve been blessed with friends from all ends of the earth and all walks of life. We may not talk everyday or laugh over brunch and a mimosa(sss) on a regular basis, but in some way you all do what you do and still manage to be a brilliant friend. So, I guess what I am trying to say is, THANKS. On days that are a bit darker than others, I can still smile knowing that I can call the most kick ass babes, my friends.

Cheers, GIRLS!

Love, Britt x

A BROAD, ABROAD WITH A BLOG, ✈

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Hello, my shining moonbeams. It’s been a minute. Within that minute I have entered what I feel to be a new phase in my life, a freeing phase that is catapulted by happiness. For nearly a month, I spent time across the pond and rediscovered my life and the things I want out of it.

To start off, wow. Can I just say – I LOVE ENGLAND! I’ve always known that and I had been there times before, but this time felt different. As most of you know, if you follow my story, I have been on travel lock down since my cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2013. By nature I am a jetsetter. I enjoy being in unknown places, without being attached to my “real” life and the troubles within. When I travel, there is a certain romance to it, a freedom that allows you to be whomever you want and for me, that is living without a terminal illness. I’m able to go back to being me; an adventurer with thirst in my blood for worldly experiences. When I was diagnosed, I felt that one of the biggest losses to having cancer was the fact that I could no longer be as free as I wished to be. My citizen of the world passport would no longer apply and I’d be stuck doing treatment after treatment without an escape. My escape had become writing. If I were no longer going to be able to leave and experience life, then I’d write about it, which I have.

This year, 2015, I vowed to myself that it would be different than the last two, that I would yet again spread my wings and live a little. In the beginning of the year I approached my Doctor and pleaded for some independence from my chemotherapy week after week, to which she obliged and advised that 2015 could be my year of travel with chemo squeezed in between. It was the best news I had heard in quite some time and immediately booked a trip to Hawaii with Steve-O and planned the trip for Nan and I go travel to the UK together to attend my beautiful cousin’s wedding and share laughs and love with the family over there that we don’t get to see often enough.

The trip was so important to me and I wanted to ensure that I soaked everything in. My Nan in her very own way was my wish-granting factory, as she made the trip happen. Being that we were returning to her home town, I was fortunate enough to visit her previous homes, where she grew up, the house she was born in, the hospital she had my Mum and Auntie Bev in, where my Granddad went to college, where the two of them were married and so much more. Being able to experience England through her eyes was more than my hearts desire and something I will never be able to thank her enough for.

There were endless amounts of stories, laughs, fish and chips, tea and best of all time with family on both my Nan’s side and my Granddad’s side.   My roots are in full force over there and it was lovely to get to know that side of myself so much more. The posh wedding of my cousin, which we attended, has built memories that will last a life time, as well as traveling to Chester, Liverpool and all over the Wirral with my cousin’s and their other halves, of course also visiting London with the best company and seeing each and every friend and family member. Howls were had, love was expressed and England will forever hold the key to my heart. Quite literally, as Nan and I locked our love on Albert Dock in Liverpool and threw the key into the River Mersey. Our loved ones can continue to visit us in Liverpool, even though we may not physically be there, our spirit will always remain.

Since I’ve been back I have been reliving each moment in my head and finding it difficult to write about. My time spent there was so special, that it is difficult to express. I feel rejuvenated and feel I have a new sense of direction for my life.   Suddenly gears have started moving upon my return and from that, fresh goals have emerged. I’m super excited about the future and what it holds and as things get closer, I’ll share more deets.

In the meantime, check out some photos from my trip and watch out for some upcoming projects and collabos. Big Kiss x.

Follow me on Instagram for daily updates: bestillmyheartblog

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Love, Britt x

Dear Friends, ♡

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#ABC #Friendship #LoveGoals I #BSMHB #BeStillMyHeartBlog I www.BeStillMyHeartBlog.wordpress.comThe most beautiful discovery is realizing how good you’ve got it.  Just when my heart was filled with a tinge of sadness over the thought of potential heart problems, it was irreversibly filled with love, elation and gratitude for the friendships that I hold.  It may sound cheesy, but it’s plain and simple; you can truly get through anything when you have the best of friends by your side.

As if it were divine intervention, my best friend flew in this weekend from California, to spend a glorious few days that was full of banter, laughter and endless amounts of fun with the threesome that is known as “ABC”, (Allison, Britt and Crystal).  With conversations impossible to understand by other people, we enjoyed the weekend to the hilt.  It’s true what they say; hard times reveal true friends and I have so many to be thankful for.

As I enter the new week, I have my cardiologist appointment coming up where I will find out if there are any issues with my heart, due to chemo.  The delight that the weekend carried, I can happily move into the new week with a positive attitude in hopes that I will be in the clear.  If not, I know I can get through it based soley on the company that I keep.

In addition to spending quality time with two of my favorite ladies, they showed an even greater amount of devotion by supporting Colon Cancer and the fight against it via the Colon Cancer 5K marathon that will be taking place in Phoenix next Saturday.  Unfortunately, Crystal will be back at her home base, but will be cheering us on nonetheless and Allison has created a team called, “Britt Ochoa” and has encouraged all of our friends and family to walk or run in the marathon in an effort to raise awareness and money towards Colon Cancer research.

My friends have reminded me through their steadfastness that splendor exists in the world and that regardless of circumstances there are people that love and support each other through thick and think. Cancer is not a barrier between loved ones, rather a force that compels people to come together to formulate an unrelenting presence full of tenderness and encouragement.  For that, I am eternally grateful.

***If you are in the Phoenix area, please consider walking or running to support research for the cure.  http://support.ccalliance.org/site/TR/5K/UndyNEW?team_id=33040&pg=team&fr_id=1805

Love,

Britt x