The news, "I have breast cancer," shook my heart to the core when my best friend, Gillian, who at the time was 35 years old and 36 weeks pregnant with her 2nd daughter, delivered the shocking diagnosis. It was a Friday afternoon in December 2018, and I was calling her to figure out what time I would be picking her up when she relayed the prognosis she had just received from her doctor. She would deliver the baby a few days later and then start four months of chemotherapy as soon as she healed from the cesarean. A double mastectomy and hysterectomy would soon follow, all with a newborn and toddler to take care of at home.

We've been best friends since our Kindergarten days at St. Mary's School, and Gillian has always been a rock, an entertaining one at that. And her journey with cancer was no exception. She hosted close friends over to her house the day she shaved her head when going through chemo and had each one of us help cut a piece of her hair. Instead of crying over losing her gorgeous long locks (like I would have), she created an experience full of laughing over old stories and gabbing about the many good times we've had together. She also kept assuring us how great she looks in headscarves and that we didn't need to mourn for her.  It was an incredible experience for me to witness and be a part of -- I was, and still am, simply in awe of her.

Like everything she does in life, she took the challenges of cancer with such courage, grace, and a no-nonse attitude. Now in remission, she reaches out to anyone and everyone going through Breast Cancer to help be a resource of incredible insight along the way, including my family when my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last year. Fortunately, my mom's cancer was caught very early and treated with minimal surgery and radiation, but it was still terrifying and traumatic, especially during the pandemic. Gillian is always eager to help others; she brings a ray of informed, straight-shooting light to anyone she can.

That light is her authenticity. She is who she is, through and through. You can see that in the eclectic clothes she wears (the woman loves a good thrift), the care and connection she pours into every friendship she has, the music she listens to (preferably on vinyl) and plays on the guitar, and the loving mother she is to her two girls. She has a gift of making friends with everyone she meets...and never forgets a name or face. When she showed me the "HAPPIEST IN ALEXANDRIA" shirt from Mint Collective that she picked for the photoshoot, I couldn't think of a better option. A third-generation Alexandrian, she loves where she lives and undoubtedly loves our community.

On Sunday, October 24, we are signed up for the Walk to Bust Cancer (team The Rack Pack!) to raise money and awareness for the National Breast Center Foundation. If you aren't aware of this incredible organization, NBCF is in Old Town, and their goal is to improve the lives of women by removing barriers that prevent them from getting proper screening, diagnosis, and education about breast cancer - our region has the highest incidence and mortality rate from breast cancer in the nation!!!  Monday's Child is hosting their gorgeous pink Angel Wings at the store on Saturday to raise awareness - stop by, take a picture with the Wings, use #walktobustcancer, and be entered to win a $100 gift card from the store. You'll be seeing the Wings throughout Alexandria all month, and as we kick off October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I hope you will get involved in the fight to end Breast Cancer. 

We had a blast taking these pictures at some of Gillian's favorite spots in Old Town (she got engaged at Windmill Hill, we couldn't resist a quick photo at St. Mary's, and we are obsessed with everything at Mae's). I hope you enjoy reading about my beloved G and her one-of-a-kind style.

Photography credit: Renée C. Gage Photography

@reneecgagephoto

 Gillian is self-styled with items from Mint Collective.

ABOUT YOU

Neighborhood: Old Town

How long have you lived in Alexandria: My whole life except for college and law school in Charlottesville and a few years in my 20s when I lived in Arlington.

What is your hometown? Alexandria

What brought you to Alexandria? I’m a 3rd generation Alexandrian.  I grew up in the house my dad grew up in.

What would surprise people about you? I would say approximately 90% of my wardrobe is second hand. I love thrift shops, Poshmark, and Ebay for shopping

You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? Teleportation through time and space.

Favorite cocktail: I’m a gin gal – dirty gin martini or gin and tonic with lime.

Last book read or movie seen: I’m currently reading Sally Rooney’s new novel Beautiful World, Where Are You

Guilty Pleasure: Candy Crush

Phrase you overuse: Honestly…

Facebook or Instagram? That’s like picking my favorite child! I waste quite a bit of time on both

Latest binge-watch: All 11 seasons of Bob’s Burgers on Hulu

Bucket list travel destination: Iceland

If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Please don’t make me pick!

FASHION

Define your style in three words or less: Offbeat collected bohemian.

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: A grey distressed tee shirt.

Favorite trend ever: Denim

Favorite current trend: multiple ear piercings

Beauty product you can’t live without: Guerlain bronzer

Favorite fragrance: Juliette Has a Gun

Heels or flats? Flats

HOME

Favorite room in your home: My living room. I have the coziest thrifted leather couch and armchair, built-in bookshelves filled with all of my art, coffee tables books and collected treasures, candles galore, and a Samsung Frame TV.

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Antiques.  Even with new things, I’m looking for vintage-inspired

Last item bought for your home: A new dishwasher

Next planned purchase: Wallpaper for my living room

Favorite way to entertain: Friday night Shabbat dinner

Clutter-free or well-lived in? Well-lived in.  The biggest design disagreement between my husband and I is the lack of surface area in our house.

Wallpaper -- yes, totally modern or no, so dated: Love me some wallpaper

FITNESS

Your go-to work-out: I do 3 miles on the elliptical every morning while I listen to the Armchair Expert podcast

Most fun way to exercise: A walk with a friend

Group exercise or solo: Solo

Fitness goal: Continuing to stick to the morning exercise routine I’ve been doing religiously for the past 2 years

Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Any sort of a fun run

Proudest fitness achievement: I can run 3 miles in 23 minutes

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: It’s a tie between my office on South Patrick Street (where my dad also worked) and the bench at Lee Street Park where my husband and I got engaged

Last purchase in Alexandria:  Old Town tshirts from Periwinkle (one for me and one for a friend in from out of town)

Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: Misha’s/The Old Dominion Boat Club/my current favs are Barca or Ada’s

Favorite charity: National Breast Center Foundation

Favorite annual Alexandria event: My husband throws a flag football game at Lee Street Park the morning of Thanksgiving and I look forward to it every year.