'Tis the season for...

'Tis the season for: Fab Leopard print hand gloves 

 'Tis the season for: Chunky oversized scarves 

 

'Tis the season for: BEANIES :)

 'Tis the season for: Faux Fur (YES, FAUX. Love the animals!)

'Tis the season for: Big, Comfy boyfriend sweaters

'Tis the season for:Earmuffies!

'Tis the season for: To-die-forrrrrr OPI nail colors

'Tis the season for: Starbucks Red Cups

My fave, Yummy Chai Soy Latte 

'Tis the season for:Drake in my Ipodizzzzle

'Tis the season for: A Benizo photoshoot

Dear Santa: www.Benizo.com

'Tis the season for: A yummy smellin' casa

'Tis the season for: The perfect pair of cozy house socks

 'Tis the season for: A holiday party dress

'Tis the season for: traveling the globe 

'Tis always the season for:  

FRIENDS, FAMILY & LOVE. 

God Bless & Stay Tuned...

-Britaña

1 Corinthians 13:13 ...And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The right place at the right time...

I hopped on a plane this past weekend; after a very fun, spontaneous time.
Sat in my seat, buckled my seatbelt, made a pillow out of my rolled up sweater, pressed it against the airplane window, rested my head on it and closed my tired eyes. About 4.3 seconds later I felt a little tap on my thigh.


"Noooooo, please not a talker" is exactly what I thought to myself before I opened my eyes to see what my fellow passenger wanted.


"¿Tu eres Mejicana?" He asked. Which in Spanish means....Are you Mexican? (I always take that question as a compliment, after all Mexican women are some of the most beautiful women in the world!) 


I kindly nodded my head and said, "Hispanic. From New Mexico."
As much as I didn't feel like talking to this person because I was so tired from my fun weekend, I forced myself to wake up because this man reminded me so much of my own Grandpa.


He stuck out his hand and said, "Hector Gonzales, nice to meet you." 
From that point forward, the hour and a half plane ride felt like 15 minutes. The second he started his conversation, I knew that plane ride was one of those moments where I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. 

My new friend Hector talked mostly about the most special person in his life; his wife. Her name was Argentina. They have been married 50 years this year. The way his smile swept across his grandpa-like face every time he spoke of her was so heartwarming. I couldn't help but to think to myself, "my husband will be like this man someday." 

He told me in detail how hard he has worked his entire life; very strenuous and tiring positions. But he made it clear that no matter what job he had, he has never worked as hard as Argentina has. While Hector was out working and supporting the family financially, his wife was at home raising their five children. She made sure they all were well-mannered, educated, fed, clothed and influenced by a strong faith. And he makes it clear that their children are all successful today because of HER. 

He talked of her beauty; he said even today she is still, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman in the world to him. At one time, his eyes became glossy, nodded his head and slowly smiled. He said he was thinking about the first time he saw her.  He knew in his heart she was the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Although it took 18 months (Yes, he said 18 months) to convince her father to even let her "go steady" with him, he knew he had to "scoop her up for a lifetime."   

This 71 year old man simply lit up every time he spoke of his wife. (Meanwhile, Britaña is in awe of his love story and the fact that she even forgot she was exhausted in the first place)

I don't know how many times I thought to myself....this man was put on this airplane, on this very day, sitting next to me, for a reason. That reason was to remind me of what my husband should be like someday. That reason was to remind me that real Love is unconditional and that it is BEYOND possible to have a sought after fairytale. Yes, it's rare; but oh so possible. Hector and Argentina are living proof. 

Why Hector wanted to talk to ME, why he wanted to open up to ME and tell ME about his love for his wife, or the fact that for the longest time they suffered (together) and had a hard time healing (together) after the loss of their eldest son, Hector Jr. Why he chose to share all of this with ME, is hard to believe. But I thank God for putting Hector Gonzales on that plane next to me this weekend.

It's just one of those opportunities to look at your own life and appreciate the choices you've made and are about to make. To look at life from a much more humble perspective; the perspective that shines a very bright light on the most important things in life: Family and Love. 


It was a genuine and significant reminder that no matter what job you have, no matter what trials or tribulations you may encounter, no matter how successful or wealthy you become....nothing---Absolutely NOTHING--- compares to the love you have for your spouse, children and family. 


I cherished this plane ride so much. And I simply wanted to share it with you all.
That fairytale love story is out there waiting for you.....be patient; it will find you. 
Dear Future Husband, wherever you are: I got Hector's phone number, so you can take notes ;-) 

Cheers to true LOVE and the people that have kept their irreplaceable, special flame lit. 

God Bless & Stay Tuned...

-Britaña 

Oh the things you gain.....even when you lose.

7 years old, sitting next to my mom on the couch, eyes glued to the our television set. I was in awe.

We were watching the Miss USA pageant. I remember like it was yesterday, the host asked one of the delegates this specific question:

"What three things would you take with you into a time machine and why?"

That night, I grabbed my hair brush from the bathroom, closed the door to my room and practiced in front of the mirror just how I'd answer that specific question. I remember thinking to myself...maybe I could take my Gameboy, hmmmm OH I HAVE to take a toothbrush, and maybe a photo album filled with pictures of my family. Yup, THAT answer with those three things would definitely be the winning answer. :)

Funny how 16 years later I'd be standing on a stage being asked similar questions; none of which involved that retro gray Gameboy nor a toothbrush; but rather questions that forced flashbacks of my childhood aspirations to enter my mind in those short few nerve racking moments. What an experience.

I can't tell you in words how great my experience as a Miss New Mexico USA delegate was this year. Incredible, unforgettable, motivating, yea I'm even going to go as far as saying it was life-changing.

Brittany Toll told me through out my preparation, "The crowning moment is probably no more than 6-12 seconds. But the preparation makes it all worth it; so worth it."

She couldn't have been more on point.

It was an opportunity to be a prime ambassador for our state; and yes that's what I was there for. I was there to serve and to deliver....for New Mexico. So in turn, if I didn't win the crown (which I didn't) I was ok with it, because I wasn't necessarily there for the sparkly headpiece and glitzy sash; I was there for the opportunities that come WITH wearing that crown. And you better believe Britaña will still put what she set out to do in the first place, into action. :)

I'll blog more on the actual experience here very soon, for now here are pictures of my incredible time!

God Bless & Stay Tuned...

-Britaña