Chat With Chels: The Girls Are Back In Town
Hey girl! I know this may seem crazy, a stranger, coming to you for advice. I have been reading your blog for shy of a year now and through your writing I feel like I know you – ha! Do I sound crazy yet? The reason I’m reaching out is because one of my college roommates is coming to visit me in my new ‘home’ of Chicago. I haven’t seen her since graduation, two years ago, and even though I am overly excited I hate to admit it but I’m pretty nervous as well. I feel pressure to ensure she has a great visit and that I should already have a list of activities lined up for us. Do you have any solid suggestions? What do you do when friends come to visit?
Thank you,
Hostest with(out) the mostest
Dear Hostest With(out) The Mostest,
Oh honey, I know exactly what you’re feeling! You want to make the most of the time you will have together, show off your city in the best light and create memories that in another 2 years you two will look back and still laugh. Below are a few suggestions that I personally participate in when my bestie comes to town.
1. Girls night in
Curl up on the couch, throw your hair in a messy bun, order in dinner, pop open a bottle of wine and enjoy being with your best friend. If you ask me, these are the best kind of nights. Make it a priority during her visit to have uninterrupted time together to talk about the old days and catch up on the current days.
2. Girls night out
Remember those college nights that you and your girls would sing at the top of their lungs while taking hours to get ready? Do that. Play your favorite Beyonce song, test out 15 different outfits and have a blast doing so. You two deserve a fun night out together. Go dancing until the wee hours of the morning or only stay at the bar for 45 minutes – that part doesn’t matter. What does matter as that you two are together!
3. Walk in your shoes
I believe a key to staying connected with your friends post college is to allow them into our every day routine. Walk them through that, literally. Lace up your tennis shoes and go for a walk around your neighborhood. Show her where you get your nails done, where you go to yoga, where the guy you met on Bumble took you for drinks. Make the extra effort to show your bestie the ins and outs of your ‘new’ life - it will go a long way.
4. Friends who brunch together stay together
Don’t let the stigma that sometimes surrounds introducing old friends to new friends keep you from doing so. My biggest tip would be to plan accordingly. Let your friends in Chicago know that you have a girlfriend coming into town and set a date and time for brunch.
5. Do something new
Entertaining can without question be exhausting. Take the stress off yourself by exploring something new together so that way the “well, you should know since you live here” vibe is thrown out the window. Not only do you give yourself a breather but experiencing something new together will create new and fun stories to tell.
6. Tourist Attractions
Lucky for you, Chicago has an endless list of "must do's." If I were you, I would talk to your friend before she gets on her flight and gauge her interest in seeing all of the tourist attractions. She can't fly all that way and not see The Bean! Make a list of places / sights you want to check out and turn it into a fun afternoon of running around the city!
