What happens when you take 15 women from all over the US and Canada and plop them into a house in Delaware for 5 days? A lot of people were asking this question when my girlfriends and I decided to take on this challenge. Were we crazy, would there be cat fights, are there going to be enough bathrooms?  These questions will be answered but first some background on who this crazy group of ladies , the SES are..

Until about two years ago, none of us had met in person, we all became friends via an internet message board about Disney World.  We would talked daily on those message boards and funny enough, rarely were the conversations ever about WDW. It was always about us, our lives, work, adventures, etc.

Over time, several of us would meet in person if we happened to be going to the WDW parks at the same time, or if there was a business trip to an others home town.  That type of thing that led you to or near one another.  At least that was how it was until December 2009 when a group of us decided to attend a holiday gathering at WDW.  Some traveled solo, like me, others traveled there with their DH’s, kids, significant others, partners and friends, etc.

Over that weekend, magic happened….. A core group of us ladies (and yes a few of the guys) became so much more than friends that weekend. it is hard to explain how we became so tight unless you experienced it. it just happened.  Memories were made that will last a lifetime and friendships were born that I must say are stronger than some you may have had your entire life.

 

When the trip ended we all returned home to our own world and lives after promising we would get together again next December for another fun filled weekend.  Unfortunately, before that trip would happen tragedy struck and one of our ladies lost the love of her life.

We were all shaken up over it, and even though we lived throughout the US and Canada we rallied around her via the phone, text messages, Facebook, the message boards and in person to make sure she was okay and would continue to be okay.  Several other ladies helped along the way in providing the support “B” needed and soon they were all part of this extended family as well.

Time moves along and six months later we were together again, but this time not just in WDW but also on a Disney Cruise. We all hung together, family, kids, the whole large crazy group of us and it was a blast! Meals were  shared, drinks were a plenty, a little karaoke between friends and dancing, lots of dancing!  Shortly after we returned home a few of the ladies (Jen, Dodie and Becky and myself) were talking about the cruise, the past years ups and downs, etc. and what we wanted to do next December. Somehow the conversation turned and we decided we weren’t waiting a year to see each other, what we needed was a Girls Weekend!! Within hours the word was out, SES Weekend 2011 was happening. Who was in, who was out and where would we go? It was so funny to watch the emails and messages fly as we are all over the top vacation planners but in just a few short days we had a plan, place (thanks to Jen).. Rehoboth Beach, DE and a date… May 2011!

So here we are, the first girls weekend was planned and executed, successfully I might add. It was so much fun!

We all traveled to DE different ways. I picked up Annette who lives just down the road from me and off we went to Baltimore to meet Dodie, Brandie and Debra who flew into BWI, the NY ladies  met up with each other in NY and drove down together while all the other ladies flew into Philly where Jen rented a U-haul to get them and all their luggage to the beach house.

There was eating (thanks to Kathy and Tonya), and drinking (that was a definite joint effort), and dancing (you ladies can move), and movies (finally saw Mama Mia )

There were walks on the beach, shopping and more shopping (we do that very well) and more electronic equipment than I thought possible. Oh and the Fascinators, can’t forget those

Yes there were a few small tiffs, I certainly would not call them cat fights, nothing major and nothing that wasn’t over in a few moments. So to answer the questions posed at the beginning of this posting, yes 15 women from different lifestyles and backgrounds can share a house for 5 days as long as if it has enough bedrooms with roommates carefully chosen, (we had plenty of beds) bathrooms, lots of bathrooms (we had 5 or 6) and room to spread out and be alone if you wanted or needed to be. If you have a close group of friends I certainly encourage you to plan your own weekend. The memories are priceless.

Here are a few of the pictures from this memorable weekend.. and thanks ladies fort he great time! I love each of you!

Out to lunch while shopping

Getting ready to head out for our dinner on the town

My roommates for the weekend!

 

and yes we are doing it again in 2012, not sure where yet but I am starting to hear that tents may be involved