Friends with Benefits

Friends with benefits? What is this? Click bait? A confession? Are you thinking: Marcy's married so what the heck is this blog post going to be about? Is it going to be a juicy story?! You best believe this story is going to be great, but no juicy drama here.

Ever been around someone who just RADIATES excitement for something? It's contagious. "Oh you are obsessed with X? Ah me too!!!" Goodbye 3 hours of life. We are going down that rabbit hole of shared fun. Buttttt it doesn't have to be about anything you are interested in. I honestly love it MORE when someone's passion is nothing like mine. I feel drawn to learn. And that feeling is just as strong. One of my college best friends was a math major. I have never seen someone exude so much excitement about a research paper on The History of Pi. And after being asked so nicely to read it, I can tell you I don't remember anything from the paper (ok that's a lie... 3.141592653 is forever in my brain), but that feeling he gave off still lives in me. Every year I feel compelled to celebrate. Thanks Dustin!

So that feeling. Man is it great. You feel it in a non-tangible way. Inside your gut and you want to jump on whatever bus they are driving. I so vividly remember feeling this way when I took a fitness class with Dave Murray. Anyone else?? His excitement and energy level made me WANT to be all in with his class. I already loved fitness. But fitness class with him ignited something extra in me. I'm pretty sure he made everyone love burpees. Is that even possible!? His classes were always PACKED with people. For that very reason! THAT feeling! Hell, I can still feel it now: TEN YEARS later. That is someone feeding their purpose and gifts to the world. We all have those. And I'm your biggest fan. Anyone doing the thing that makes them feel alive, and trying to make a business- oh yes. Let me ride whatever train that is WITH YOU. Math, fitness, giraffe conservation, cell phone repair, vegan cooking, WHATEVER. If you are giving that feeling, I'm along for the ride.

So after JUST finding out one of my other college friends has a business I didn't know about, I felt like it was time to use this platform to shine light on my amazing network of friends taping into their passion and connecting that entrepreneurial spirit. I have THE coolest network of people doing THE coolest stuff. And there is nothing better than supporting those people who have FIRE for their business. And these people do. I want to support them all. So what better way than to share their gifts here with you all.

So let's meet all my friends with benefits!

Firstly, my college friend who I just found out is expanding his business!

Meet Tate Tullier.

Tate's biggest gift to this world: his energy is magnetic. Everyone just wants to be around him. He glows fun, empathy, and interesting & deep conversations. Could there be a better combo?

If you couldn't instantly figure it out, Tate's the guy in the bow tie. And I'm certain you can feel the fun in this photo? Because we were having fun. One of our besties was getting married and when you bring together long time friends who haven't seen each other... well its going to be epic. So Tate's second gift: He is an extraordinary professional photographer.

https://www.tatetullier.com/

My 1st photo shoot with Tate in 2008.

And he was the only person we wanted to photograph our wedding:

When we met back in 2005 (nearly 20 years ago!!) I just knew this was someone I enjoyed being around. I was learning ASL at the time but even while learning (and I can promise you I was NOT very good at reception/understanding or expression), I could understand his language of positive energy. Looking back I have no clue why he had so much patience with me. He definitely is one of the reasons I am the skilled & seasoned interpreter I am now. My gratitude for his friendship is something I think about with deep care and appreciation. He is a connected spirit, so there is no surprise he thrives as a photographer and that his newest business embodies that.

Cosmic Sobbing

The humble soul which he is, didn't scream about his newest endeavor. So when I stumbled on his newest Instagram page, I immediately did a deep dive. I know nothing about astrology, zodiac signs, or birth charts. I mean, I grew up reading my horoscope. But lets be real, the newspaper in the 90's often said something generic that could be about anyone. But being a Pisces always seemed to match my general way of being. I am patient and thoughtful, empathic and prefer to give more than receive. Plus I like to keep the peace. All things noted about Pisces. But that was the extent of my knowledge. So when I saw Tate's business, I had to know more. His social media does an amazing job educating about astrology. And when I asked him about his work here's the response I got:

"It’s all the beauty of free will and the chart is just a guide that can often showcase you a way of re-thinking about your ways of expression, desires, hopes, love, and all the other various facets of our lives. I also like the fact that it’s just further proof that nothing in our world is concrete. What we know, there is always a polarity - what we don’t know. And that itself was one thing I had to move past. I had my own struggles (and i still do!) but somehow - learning about my own chart enabled me to grow so much AND actually improve my own relations/ways of accepting others who do not share the same world goals as I do. It’s a nice way to see that we ARE all wired different and to grace forgiveness upon each other, give room to grow on both sides of whatever, and so forth."

Wow. Did you read that twice? I always do. Tate doesn't claim to be an expert or a guru or THE thing that will change your life. But his message of compassion, continuous learning, openness, and equality is what this world needs more of, for sure. So, I don't care if you "believe" in astrology or not, I believe in THOSE words above. Those words above give me goosebumps. I want to be more in THAT headspace, more often. So it was a no brainier to support his business. Wearing this sweatshirt helps remind me stay connected to that message. It's not a fix for the struggles we all have, but a gentle reminder, paired up with the insane feeling I get when Tate shares a passion.

So I'm excited to wear and learn more along side Tate and Cosmic Sobbing. You should too! If you felt that spark by any part of this blog post.... whether it is because of his profound words, your interest in astrology, curiosity to learn something new, because he gave so much into me, you love an awesome sweatshirt, love his photography, or are loving to support a Deaf-owned small business, then I suggest you check him out.

Instagram @CosmicSobbing

IG @TateTullierPhotography

Love ya Tate. Continuously amazed by you. Keep shining. I'm here for it ten-fold!

Now.... shit. I'm 3 days into writing and only just touching the surface of one friend doing one truly awesome thing. I have so many others. And there is only so much time and rambling from me I imagine you will read. So while this post was supposed to include SEVERAL of my incredible friends, this is going to have to be a series. So I promise MANY more inspiring friends to come. I hope this series of blog posts gets you excited to see and support someone new. And if that isn't incentive enough, I have been going deep into the vault of old photos. So if learning, expansion, community, and support aren't your thing, maybe old crazy photos of Marcy are.

Enjoy.

New Orleans 2008.

Stephan Wedding 2009

Mexico 2012