Tara I didn't become serious about painting my nails until the summer of 2012. I have always enjoyed the process, but it wasn't until then that a sweet stranger and I began to bond over it. It was a mutual interest and it was how we formed a friendship. We would spend hours talking about boys and sorting through colors just to change our minds midway through. What I realized during this time was that I wasn't just looking forward to doing my nails--but I was looking forward to spending one-on-one time with my new-found friend, Mary Claire.
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Our friendship blossomed and we ventured into other areas, but we never forgot our love for nails. As time went by, our array of colors and fun personalities opened doors to other friendships along the way. We even joked that painting nails could become our "Ministry". It isn't often that you set aside an hour to chat about life with the only distraction being what color you will choose.
After settling in from my move back home, I realized that it was time to invite someone new over to "do our nails". I knew I wouldn't have to search them out--they would come to me. Soon, a conversation with a co-worker led to a mutual interest in nails. I invited her over and we hit it off. We quickly bonded over painting our nails and girly TV shows. I gained the sister I never had that year. Abi and I became the best of friends (regardless of our 7 year age difference) and she has taught me just as much as , if not more than, I have taught her.
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As our final farewell--we celebrated the only way we knew how. We went to have our nails done with no distractions, only time to chat (and a Chik-fil-a milkshake of course). One day, after she made the move to Virginia, she sent me a picture of her freshly painted nails. Believe it or not, I had just painted my nails the exact same color that day! Facetime and Snapchat are now our main forms of communication, but nevertheless we love sharing life and nail advice.
Though these two particular girls are ones I have grown to love and keep up with regularly, there are others I have shared my love for nails with along the way. We've had two "nail parties" in the last few months and little did Roxie know, she loves gold nails!
Jorjanne was blessed after her accident when we gathered at her house and did her toe nails for her after dinner. This Christmas I had the idea to put together nail kits for teen foster girls, and it was SO MUCH FUN! I found a manicure set that said "The only time a woman is helpless is when her nail polish is drying." How perfect. I hope that those girls felt the love and encouragement I was sending their way.
Painting your nails take time, patience, and practice. The result of painting your nails is confidence, joy and a finished look. My goal in painting someone's nails is that they feel loved, cared for and beautiful. I hope that they saw the meaning behind my efforts, knowing that I care about their heart more than their nails. I hope that they enjoyed our time together and were encouraged in who they are and who they're meant to be. This is why I think nails were meant to be painted.
If you're not into nails, but like the direction in which this is going, what can you embrace with this attitude? What can you utilize as an avenue to strike up friendships and start conversations? Walking, gardening, craft projects--whatever it is, just choose something you love and you will love the results.
If you're not into nails, but like the direction in which this is going, what can you embrace with this attitude? What can you utilize as an avenue to strike up friendships and start conversations? Walking, gardening, craft projects--whatever it is, just choose something you love and you will love the results.
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