Our Wedding {Ceremony 2}

Our longtime friend Sue helped my vision for flowers become a reality. I told her I wanted them to look slightly wild, with lots of peach and yellow and soft orange. Not only did she do a gorgeous job - she was also a joy to have around. It makes a difference to surround yourself with sunny people during a time that everyone seems to think should be stressful. 

John and I are both classical musicians, which is probably why we didn't want that style for our ceremony. We had been thinking fun, laid back, and "bluegrassy" all along, but when I decided to walk down the aisle to a folk song, it sealed the deal. I remember being surprised to hear singing when I walked out expecting instrumental - and laughing in the back of my mind, thinking if this is what will "go wrong" today, it's fine with me.

A Very Sunny Thanksgiving

I know I grew up in South Carolina, but no one ever told me how gorgeous it was! Leaving for a few years made me so grateful for this bright blue sky and gratuitous sunshine. Or maybe it was Cleveland's Lake Effect Clouds. Either way, I was in awe of today's beautiful weather - spent celebrating life with my wonderful parents, brothers, fiance, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandfather.

I was always the tall big sister, but look at how tiny I look next to my baby brothers!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. If you're reading this, chances are I'm pretty grateful for you, too.

xo

J-U-S-T-I-N

My family loves basketball.

My dad played forever; I started when I was six; and even my mom played when she was young. Both little brothers have played their whole lives, and Dad coached us all. So, Justin's first college basketball game is a milestone for us.  We're so proud!

Our height doesn't hurt us. My dad is 6'4" - I'm 5'10" - and Justin is a regular giant at 6'6". He shoots well from the outside, but what I really love about his game is the passing. It's fantastic. Beautiful passes go to places no one expects. In the past, they've been known to surprise even his teammates.

Basketball was always special to my dad and me. It was our thing. It was the one activity we could always do together, just us. For years.

For that reason, this cheeseball segment from Father of the Bride has brought me to tears more than once...and not just because I love Steve Martin. Dad and I started with Pistol Pete videos and had a state championship somewhere along the way, and to be honest, I doubt I'll ever stop missing those games of Horse in the driveway.

So for the next four years, I'll be cheering for the Lee University Flames. Go Justin. If you're lucky, I might even give you the orange and white basketball I got when the WNBA popped up in '97.