Mojitos & Milestones

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Well it happened today: the blog hit 30,000 subscribers!

I am so excited and humbled and just grateful that you would care to read my words. So with all my heart, thank you.

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I thought about what I could do for this post to commemorate it, and I’m not going to bore you with a list of “30 Things” or “A Walk Back in Time” or anything like that.

I mean, come on. Ain’t nobody got time for that. #snoozefest

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But I will share something that happened to me last night that really sums up this blogging journey.

I’m in Ohio right now, staying with my brother and sister-in-law. And I say “sister-in-law,” but really she’s just my best friend, who just so happens to be married to my brother.

But anywho, I booked a job here, and so I got to hang out with them for a few days.

Well. Last night, after the shoot, my sis-in-law (SIL) invited me to a girls’ night with her and a few of her friends.

I know. Wednesday night. Middle of the week. Sometime’s you’ve just gotta flip your hair and do something a little irresponsible. #YOLO

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Anyways, it was a really interesting mix of women. We had a 52 year old, a 40-something, a 30-something, a 30 year old, a 29 year old, and then me. In the group there were a couple mothers, a business owner, a teacher, a tennis wife, and then this sorry sack.

It was. so much. fun.

Seriously! We had representatives from four different decades, and three different life stages, and it couldn’t have been a better time.

SO much rosé….because…basic 🙂

After closing down the restaurant, literally…at midnight, we went back to this woman’s house. And we continued on with drinks and Drake and dancing and we even jumped in the pool with our clothes on.

But after the wildness quieted down a little bit, I found myself sitting with this woman on one of the pool chairs. It’s like 1:30 in the morning. I had been up at 5am for the shoot — I was tipsy and exhausted — but I rally and go hard.

Anywho, after talking for about 10 minutes, I found myself telling her my life story.

And not just the “radio-edit” version of my life story — you know, the one where I tell about my ulcerative colitis, but conveniently forget to mention my battle with anorexia. — Not that one. My whole life story. Warts and all.

She had kids that were starting high school, and wanted to know about this mystery book that she heard I was publishing from my SiL.

And I told her. Everything. Not a detail spared.

Two years ago, before I started this blog, I would have never had the courage to share my story, let alone bring up God in a conversation.

Before this blog, I had stuffed my story away in the dungeon and had vowed never to speak of it again. It was ugly. It was shameful. I felt it defined who I was: a dirty, rotten, deceitful former-anorexic that was a disgrace to her family.

Honestly.

But through this blog, I have come to reclaim my past. Reclaim my story. And see it for the beautiful restoration God has instilled in me.

My story is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a story of victory: His victory through me.

By the end of the conversation, we both were in tears. She told me how she had no idea that I had gone through such pain and struggles in my life. That meeting me at a dinner party, I just seemed to be the happy, care-free girl who had a bit of a mystery behind her smile.

There’s something really beautiful about opening up and being vulnerable with someone. Because the cool thing is, you never know how it is going to resonate with another person.

At the end of the night, as I was leaving, this woman pulled me aside and told me how much my story inspired her, and how she couldn’t wait for people to get ahold of my book.

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Such a meaningful interaction with a woman, I probably would have never had the blessing of meeting otherwise. I mean, I’m not a soccer mom in Ohio. And yet, we connected, and it was beautiful.

So really, I have you to thank for allowing me an outlet to share my story. Because the more I share it, the more confident and courageous I can be about putting it out there.

You have accepted me. You have loved me. You have given me grace as I learn to do those things for myself.

So thank you, with all of my heart.

Have a great weekend.

Love, Caralyn

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

333 thoughts on “Mojitos & Milestones”

  5. Wow, such a huge accomplishment!!! Congratulates on your book as well. I pray your story will continue to bless and inspire.
    God bless you 👑💜🙏🏾

    Liked by 1 person

      1. OH I can’t believe I forgot, well, yes I can, I seriously need to take notes! But congratulations on 30,000 readers. Oh my goodness 30,000! I don’t even feel like congratulations even covers it. Great accomplishment, among many accomplishments.

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  12. Many congrats!!! You have inspired us all though. Most of the time in my heart you feel like an adoptive daughter to me. You just share so much that one cannot help but love you.

    I am proud of so many followers but at times when I see all the comments and the like, I wonder how you do it??? I told my husband, “If I had her blog I would go insane!” 🙂

    I know you thank all of us, but we thank you also. You give to me, “the older generation,” hope for the future. My grandkids who are small will thank you and those like you one day. I worry so much about the nation they will live in. I want them to have the freedom I have enjoyed since 1954, and leaders who will inspire them and guide them in the right direction. Hopefully, that will somehow be you when I am gone. Again congrats, you know I love you, and how is your Mom? God Bless, SR P.S. Be sure and tell her I said, “Job well done”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much SR! hahaha yeah it is definitely quite a job to respond and stay on top of it! i was literally down to the wire tonight! haha thanks so much for being such a great friend and supporter. and thanks for asking about my mom. she’s doing amazing. she’s a trooper! Hugs and love xox

      Liked by 1 person

  13. First, congratulations on 30,000! Bazinga! Second, and most importantly, be darn proud of your story! It has made you the wonderful, beautiful, smart, talented, lively and inspirational woman you are today 🙂 xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Pastor, I’m not surprised by the number of people who read your blog. I started mine years ago and still only have one follower…that would be me! I’m not sure how I found your blog but from my first reading I was and am a person in your corner! Prayers for you and your family! Say hi to your Mom for me! Your readership will continue to grow as you do! Like you said about your confidence….with God’s Holy Spirit, you will become more confident and continue to touch hearts and lives in a way that only you can! Because there is no other you! You are younique, talented and beautiful and I love how your sense of humor finds places in your writings! Love n blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey Rick! thank you so much 🙂 aw, what a kind thing to say. I am so grateful to have you in my corner. you’re an awesome friend and mentor 🙂 thank you for your continued prayers and generosity. know that you are in my prayers as well. Hugs and love xox

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  15. Congratulations on the milestone! I know people say it’s not about numbers, but the way I look at it every number is a person….a real live individual. So it’s not 30,000 followers….it’s 30,000 real people you are reaching.
    Prayerfully write, hit publish and let God give the increase.
    Celebrating with you!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Full color! I wander bookstores when it’s too hot outside to sit elsewhere. I’ve saw the ED book rack and the covers are dark and not as inviting. This is great it will stand out in any section. I was reading old sermons late last night from Francis Atterbury. I saw Isaiah 60:22, “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation.” It kind of stuck with me. It’s like what you did here.

    Will your book be in electronic version? I’ve been meaning to get a real mailbox…I’ve been meaning to for seven years. Haha

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Aw. Thanks. Atterbury preached to the Queen. Oh, so is there a Kindle version? Or some other electronic uh, thingie? Oh, I guess I could wait for the actual announcement. I’m leaving this as a vote for an electronic version for us, travelers.

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      3. Rosé, is not basic. 🌞 It’s traditional and laborious. Most vineyards only have one day to crush the grapes and barrel. All done without oxygen so, when and where it’s poured is really where the flavor comes from. Unlike the others, that the grapes are pampered with orange groves and even, grazing cattle. Every vineyard has a gimmick but, Rosé grapes just enjoy the sun all year and then sit on a shelf waiting to be poured. They are the happy grape.

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      7. If you make it to a farmer’s market try to find strawberry or peach wine in the next month or two. Similar to Ride
        Rosé, but not the same. When I’d get done farming I’d bug the Sommelier they kind of know, everything wine.

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  26. So, so happy for you!!! When you liked my blog, last year, when I first started, I saw the number of people following you. I had less than 5 or so followers at that time. And I felt, if someone like her, who has a gathering of people that love her writing, if someone like her, likes what I have to say, then I think God is showing me I can reach others too.

    Again, I’m so happy for you. ❤ I wish you the upmost best! Keep going strong girl!!!

    Liked by 3 people

  32. Wow! I noticed last week you were getting close. 30k before 30? Now that’s a milestone. I don’t know whether I am happy for you or envious. 😛
    Either way, congratulations. 😀
    And I have a feeling this is only the beginning for you. Soli Deo Gloria.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. This was a beautiful story. Jesus has brought you a long way. You are beautiful inside out and this blog is really inspiring. Thanks for being brave enough to share what you went through. I pray you touch many lives with the truth…and inspire others to keep going on even through the dark times. God bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. 30,000! I’ve been keeping a watch for that number to turn! Congratulations and all for this HUGE accomplishment!

    After picking myself up off the floor from you having told ALL to a complete unknown, well, all I can say is dagnabit, if I’m not more than just a little proud of you! After so much time talking to us from the shadows, you’ve grabbed yourself with both hands and owned it all! Now where is that party horn emoji??

    So much symbolism lies in your article tonight! First you jump into the pool with both feet, and then you jump into the pool with both feet! And the water? Well, I’ll stretch it here and point out that this night sounds to me like your baptism back into the whole world. First you speak from the shadows. Then you give us a name and a face, but hope others who know you don’t find out, because of possible repercussions to family and friends.

    By the pool side? Well, there she is in all her (damp) glory, owning every second of her amazing life!

    Maybe that woman will need to use what you shared with her, God forbid! Maybe you’ll have saved another life or two! And yes, I said “another!”

    So here’s to the Beauty who, BY GOD’S GRACE, slayed the ED Beast, evicted him from her soul, chewed him up, spit him out, and washed the taste out of her mouth with a nice rose’ at the pool side in a lounge chair under the light of the moon and stars that God lit up just for the occasion; a subtle spotlight for the star of one of His better “saves!”

    Love, hugs, & laughter!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aw Jeff, thank you friend 🙂 party horn indeed! And thank you for sharing in the excitement. Another awesome result of this blog was crossing paths with you!! 🙂 ps sorry for the delay in patreon. At my bros house bedtime is early and so I can’t record right now. I’ll have it up tomorrow after my flight gets in. Maybe I’ll even chat with the person next to me and have a story to share on there haha thank you friend. 🙂 hahah damp glory – that made me chuckle. Amen! God is so good and I will sing His praise from the mountains any chance I get because I am *alive!* hope you and Julie have some fun plans in store this weekend! Hugs and love (and laughter!) xox

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you for your kind words, You’ve been, and continue to be a blessing to me also. No worries about Patreon tonight! Have a safe flight and I pray you have a great seat mate to chat up! As always… Jeff

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  43. Congratulations Caralyn on passing 30,000 by now. The numbers will continue to soar, I am certain. The reasons for the increase to continue, I believe, is you speak the truth; you speak straight; you obviously care for people; you desire to help others; you share what you have lived, and the new improved life you are living.
    Mostly, I believe the increase will be due to God’s Favour as He smiles upon you. His smiles are because you speak of God openly and freely, expressing your love for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, that He is the life changer, and He is needed by all, and available to all.
    God’s Abundant Blessings Caralyn,
    Luv and hugs 😀🌹❤️

    George

    Liked by 1 person

  46. Heeeyyyyyyy! That is the book. I want a signed copy of, yes, one of those that was shipped to you. C’mon now Ana, don’t…the wait is PAINFULLLLL! Just tell me where to pay (paypal works or someplace else) so I can start reading. C’mon…..DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!…pleaseeeeeee!!! Oh…congrats on the 30,000 followers. May that tripple by this time, next year.

    Liked by 1 person

  48. Yay for 30K, a celebration in order. I have discovered as you have when we share our struggles and overcoming we are admired. People are so isolated in their afflictions and it’s a comfort to connect with one so open. Bless you Caralyn

    Liked by 1 person

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