"So, HOW did you guys meet again?"

That seemed to be the common question we got asked when Jess was in town.

Most of my friends and family know I have a blog, but I don't think they realized I'd actually meet people in real life because of it. Uh..hello! of course. ;) When Jess showed up to our house on Friday evening, she drove up and down our street passing our house not 2-3 times, but 4 times. Even with me standing in the doorway and driveway to greet her. I knew right then and there that A. I could blame it on her hair color, or B. that she was quickly changing her mind about meeting me and was trying to get out of it quickly. I'm gonna go with option A.

Friday night plans consisted of sippin' on the Honeycrisp Apple Sangria I made (the recipe floating around on pinterest-it's GOOD), showing Jess our house, introducing her to everyone, and dinner at PF Changs with a big group of my closest friends and family. All of Billy's cousins came in town, except one, and his brother surprised me at the last minute by showing up at the restaurant after telling me he couldn't make it.There were 12 of us total who went to dinner and I give Jess MAD props because she didn't know anyone, but was still outgoing and sweet to everyone.

{see my hubs and jess bottom right? adorable.}

After dinner we headed back to our house and had a few drinks before heading downtown. Downtown Columbus is so much fun...everything is very new and modern and it's basically bars after bars. aka party time. I was so excited to have Jess meet all of my good friends & Billy's family. Downtown quickly turned into tooooo much fun because at one point I looked over to see Jess and one of Billy's cousins all lovey dovey together....and by lovey dovey, I mean making out for a solid 10 mins at the bar. GOTTA LOVE IT.

The night was crazy fun. We danced, sang, and laughed until our stomachs hurt.

Oh, and I lost my credit card and didn't realize it until Saturday. Way to go Katie. After one too many drinks, we were walking to get a cab ride home when we saw Jess and Billy's cousin topple over eachother and Jess fell smack in the middle of the street. Then Billy's cousins proceeded to fall on top of her, but kinda still held himself up over top of her, and he scooped her off the street and carried her to the cab. It. was. hilarious. let me tell you. I thought I was going to pee my pants. The cab ride followed suite and was one of the funniest times spent in a cab. Billy's brother Kevin is the funniest person I know and he comes up with these long stories / conversations with cab drivers. Let's just say we left that cab ride with a new friend named Reggie who wants to hang out sometime (you know, when he's not driving his cab) and referred to us as the "most entertaining people he's ever met". 

Saturday morning we all got ready and headed down to OSU's campus to start the tailgaiting. It was freezing and rainy, but we didn't hold back at all. I HAD to show Jess what we were all about (besides losing terribly to Michigan State).  She kept saying how she couldn't believe how many people / places there are to tailgate on campus and that UK tailgaiting doesn't even compare. CHA-CHING. I'm not lying, ladies. I only speak the truth :) We went to Varsity Club, a friends tailgate, and made our rounds around the bars. Jess fit in wonderfully and even got to hang out all day with my bff Lindsay. They both love eachother now. :) 

Here are some pics from the day.

Keep in mind we tailgaited from noon until about 10pm.

Jess may or may not have caught the attention of a different cousin of Billy's this day (a girls gotta keep her options open, right?) and they are now texting buds. I'm tryin' to get her in the fam, you know...

that night we kareoked to *NSYNC's Bye, Bye, Bye at the bar and got it on video...

maybe I will share sometime. ;)

Sunday morning Billy and I showed Jess the city where I grew up, my office, and showed her all around town. Billy and I took her to my parents house and they got to meet & chat with her for a while! She even got to meet one of my little step nieces, Lia.  After my parents house, we were so starving & went to breakfast at First Watch (one of my faves) before Jess headed home.

Jess went the extra mile and gave me some gifts...totally not necessary. She got me a OSU shirt, a dog toy for Rocky, and a health book that has a TON of healthy smoothies and shake recipes! Girl knows me far too well. So sweet of her.

Overall, the weekend was a BLAST. Nothing about meeting Jess was awkward or weird, and I can't wait until she visits again. All my friends and family loved her. If you are contemplating having a blogger meet up, my suggestion would be to DO IT!  Jess ~ Thank you so much for my gifts. We are so glad you felt welcome in our home and we welcome you back to stay anytime. I'm soo glad we're friends! :) I hope you will be attending some of our family get togethers as well. he he he. ;) Love ya!

Want to know what Jess really thought about us? and if she thinks I'm a big weirdo?

Read about her view of the weekend: here.

...it's pretty good I must say.




*I linked up for {WILW} with Jamie to share this blogger turned real life friend experience..because well, I do LOVE it.*