Copy Cat

So as many of you know, it has been a long standing joke that I "copy" Kari. When people say this it irritates me to no end, because I don't. I'm me, and I don't want to be like anyone else. I know of one other person that is close to Kari that people say this about as well, so I very much hope that this person is not one of the people who say these things about me, because they should know how it feels!

Unfortunately, this has been said about me throughout mine and Kari's whole friendship. That's probably why I'm so defensive about it. I can definitely see as a teenager people saying that. Teenagers are very much trying to find who they are, and end up sometimes copying people. So I have gotten over the fact that people use to say that. It doesn't bother me, because although I do not remember consciously copying her as a teenager, it is quite possible that I did.

The only time I have not had to worry about people saying these things is when Kari and I did not work together. I can only assume it was because we had very different friends and most of them didn't know the both of us.

But now let's come to the present. I am an adult now, and I make my own decisions!!!! If Kari offers me good advice, then I will in fact probably follow it. But usually friends do that. So I'd like to put to rest some of the things that people say I have copied her on.

1.) Getting engaged: Now first off in case nobody noticed, Kari had been married for about four months when Tyler proposed to me. I guess if I really wanted to copy her I should have fell in love sooner, and made the guy propose to me after we'd been only dating a few months or so. Seriously?!? Why would anybody think that by getting engaged somebody is copying somebody else? I can't help it when I fell in love. I met the right guy, my soul mate, God designed that one. It had nothing to do with Kari.

2.) Getting married: Hmmmm, that usually comes after one gets engaged. Well, Tyler and I will be getting married almost two years after Kari and Matt got married. If I wanted to copy her, don't you think I would have made the wedding date as soon as possible? But I didn't. We will be engaged a year and three months when we get married. We wanted a long engagement so we could have time to plan and save money. That was just what was right for us. Also, I know about ten other people who have gotten engaged or married in the last two years. I think it's because we are all around that age where you get married. Or maybe, Hmmm, are you sure I'm not actually copying them?!? Or maybe they are all copying Kari, even the ones that don't know her? Uh- oh, I better let Kari know.....
And Kari had a nice quiet little beach chapel wedding. I believe there were about ten to fifteen people there.
Tyler and I are not having a HUGE wedding, but are guest list is approx fifty people. I'm wearing a wedding gown and having a bridal party, and am actually going the opposite way from the beach!!!! It's at a nice little bed and breakfast. We'll be married outside under a giant tree, not in a chapel. Our reception will not be in a beach house, it'll be in a wooded structure thing (lol, I forgot what it was called). And guess what? I'll be drinking real champagne since I won't be pregnant at my wedding. Of course I don't know I'm going to have a minister at the wedding, just like Kari did. Whoops, I guess I am copying her!!!!

3.) Having a baby: Now first off in case none of you noticed, Rylee is almost 1 1/2 years old! And I love her too pieces. But even if I were to get pregnant RIGHT NOW, our children would be a little over two years apart. And let's be real, if I really wanted to copy Kari on this one I could have. I mean I could have just stopped taking my BC as soon as I found out that she was pregnant and gotten myself knocked up. Seriously people!!!!! Tyler and I are not planning on having children for probably another three years. We want time to enjoy our marriage, and well make sure we are in a good financial situation to support a child.

4.) Buying a house: As you know, Tyler and I just bought a house. During that same time period Kari and Matt were planning on buying a house. Tyler and I decided to buy a house, because our rent was going up and would be as much as a mortgage payment. Our lease ran out at the end of April. Josie and Kari suggested looking into buying houses. The government at the time was offering a $7500 tax refund for first time home buyers (it's gone up since then). And well it's just a really good time to buy a house, because it's a buyers market. So Tyler and I found a house, that looked nothing like the one Kari and Matt were planning on buying. We put an offer on it, and we moved in this past weekend. Well during this whole time period, due to personal reasons I am not stating here, Kari and Matt decided not to buy the house that they were planning on buying. Well guess what, Tyler and I hadn't closed on our house yet, when they decided not to buy theirs. So if we wanted to be just like Kari and Matt we could have backed out on the house. Hmmmm, that doesn't sound much like copying to me.......

5.) We go to the same doctor: Kari and I go to the same doctor's office. But guess what this is going to be a complete and total shock to you, but I went there first!!!!! I've been going to that doctor's office since I was fourteen. I guess I have ESP and knew that several years down the road, the doctors that worked at Kari's doctor offices would end up switching over to my doctor's office. Wow, my psychic abilities are amazing! Or maybe Kari's actually copying me?!? dududuuuu......I better be careful and watch my back on this one. I don't want a copy cat running around!

6.) We go to the same dentist: Yes Kari went to that dentist first. She said she really liked it and that they were really nice. I had been looking for a dentist at the same time, so I decided to go see the same one she went to. I trusted Kari's judgement, plus the office was literally one minute from our apartment! Kari never went back to the dentist, but I have continued to return. Don't you think if I was copying her that I would have stopped going too?!?

I could go on and on about all the things that people say I do, because I want to 'copy' Kari. Everything I do, I do because it is what is best for me and my family. I love Kari to death. I've known her forever, so I trust her advice, and I always consider her opinions on matters. I kind of thought that was how friends worked. Also, has it never occured to any of you, that Kari and I may just have some similarities. We grew up together, and she has been in my life for over ten years, we're bound to rub off on each other some. You guys can continue to say what you want to say. I know the truth. Kari knows the truth. And those I love and care about know the truth. In the end, that is all that matters.

But something I would love for you people to do, is to confront me!!!! I consider it petty and juvenile that you talk about someone behind their backs. GROW UP!!!! If you have a problem with me tell me, not everybody else. Trust me I won't take offense. We'll talk through it or I'll just say well that's your opinion. However, if you talk about me behind my back, I will get PISSED!!!! Don't jump to conclusions either. Bring the matter up with me, and I will explain myself or choose not to. But if you come to me, you'll get a whole lot more accomplished than if you choose to run your mouth to other people! We are all adults here. This is not high school. Let's start acting like it!!!!