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”

  2. 30,000 subscribers! What a great opportunity to project something positive through your blogs, something you do very well. Congratulations! I think you’d be surprised at the huge part of the human race that hurt in one way or another. It’s good for them to know they are not alone and opening up in the way you do would be a great encouragement to the majority of those who subscribe to you.

    Liked by 4 people

  4. Congrats and well done Caralyn, what a testimony of courage, you felt the pain and did it anyway. The spin off from your hard work and perseverance is a shining light blessing many others following behind. Blessings Nanny.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. So refreshing to hear the voice of a young person navigating this world, being authentic, covering the touchy subjects, and real about her faith. Can’t wait to read your book!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I love this entry. This is also how I feel about blogging. It has allowed me to step into a better version of me, and express myself to be more vulnerable. Congratulations on your anorexia battle, and for your wonderful connection with the woman. Thank you for sharing

    Liked by 3 people

  14. Congrats on the milestone! I just got started so thanks for stopping by. I’m new to your story but it sounds like an amazing journey. Looking forward to getting caught up and all God has in store for you!

    Liked by 2 people

  17. That’s so amazing your blog has done so well. I’ve been doing this for a little while now, and well…. It’s doing well, but I wouldn’t say it’s doing that well. You should be proud of your accomplishment for sure. Praises all around for how well you’ve done.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I know it’s not about the numbers but my numbers aren’t actually improving. I’m about the same place I was 8 months ago when I started. I pray I can continue to reach people.

        Like

  19. This is truly amazing! Though I’ve just started out here, your words have this amazing inspirational and healing ability! Congratulations and blessings to you. Live happily ❤❤❤

    Like

  21. Hey, I know your name now… Caralyn, congrats on all those subscribers! We’ve all recognized the beauty and inspirational aspects of your blog. It sounds like this has been a catapult for growth and I imagine you’ll just keep getting stronger. Love and light to you.❤😎

    Like

  25. I love nights like that. But usually I am on the receiving end the receiving end of a life story that is. I have heard a lot of life stories. There is nothing I learn from more. Thank you for the share.

    Like

  31. Hey there BeautyBeyondBones, I really appreciate you reading my post and liking it 🙂 I am an amateur to the blogging world, as you could probably tell from my post… But reading this was awesome. I am pretty excited to follow your journey. Keep going GIRL! You are inspiring all the light bulbs in my mind.

    Sincerely, me (haven’t figured out a cool name yet)

    Like

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