Another Chosen Day

I've mentioned Chosen Day in the past, created by John's family to celebrate his arrival from Korea in February 1985. I look forward to it every year. It's a day to honor John and what a gift he's been to all of us.

We often marvel at the twists and turns that brought us together, and there were many. John went from Korea to Atlanta to Nashville to New Haven to Oklahoma, where I was waiting to meet him. Meanwhile, I started in Aiken and went to Spartanburg which took me to Pennsylvania and Baltimore and Oklahoma. And there he was.

Music was a key player. After John got to Atlanta, it dictated both of the paths described above. At any point, one of us could have made a tiny decision that would've prevented our lives from intersecting. John almost won two big gigs that at the time, seemed like his dream, but they would have kept him from Oklahoma and in the end, our marriage. His career would look different right now, but isn't that funny? The thing that looked devastating at the time now looks serendipitous.

We're so thankful for the moments - even the bad ones - that brought us this partnership.

Happy Chosen Day, John.

Magnificent, that "surely"

My grandfather passed away this week. While it wasn't entirely unexpected, there's a certain depth to the sadness that surrounds a family member's death. Despite his strong 84 years with us, it's still shaking in a fundamental way to lose a lifelong fixture. He felt like a pillar, always there, and always the same.

Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays means different things for different people. Hopefully, all of you had a great time, and if you're lucky, you might even be starting this week with one or two more stories for the books. Perhaps you bravely got on your little cousin's trampoline, only to feel closer to 30 than ever before in the grasp of the motion sickness that ensued. Your little brother might have convinced your dad to go to Black Friday at 1 am "to get shampoo" and visit Waffle House. Your dad might have even gotten up to dance Gangnam Style during Saturday dinner.

These things all happened in Aiken this Thanksgiving.

Update.

We're back!

We're married!

We're so happy!

Et cetera!

Hi friends. We have lots of catching up to do. First, an update:

1. Our wedding day was, without doubt, the best day of our lives - both individually and as a couple.
2. Our honeymoon followed suit to make it - you guessed it - the best week of our lives. 
3. We are overwhelmingly touched by the amount of love and support we felt from our friends and family the weekend we got married. We have more gratitude than I could possibly express in words.
4. Said friends and family are SO MUCH FUN.
5. San Francisco would be an incredible place to live. 
6. California's wine country is unbelievably gorgeous.
7. We're on a serious wedding and love-related high right now, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  

Coming soon:

Our Wedding

Our Honeymoon

Planning a Wedding

Next Project: Home Decor (or even just buying a bookshelf)

Mr. and Mrs. 

Have I Told You Lately

Dear Friends,

I've neglected my blog! This was bound to happen pre-wedding. The past three weeks have been full of events and parties - with my college friends, my Aiken friends, and my soon to be mother-in-law's friends. I've said it before, but I can't say it enough: I am blown away by how much love and support we are being shown as we take this step to join our lives together. Thank you, everyone, for being so wonderful! We are truly grateful.

Lately - ribbon galore, pretty paper, little bro, and John.

xo,
          L

Valentine's Baby

Today is my mom's birthday.

Having a Valentine's birthday suits Mom really well; she looks good in red, she savors a good box of chocolate, and she loves her family more than anything.

She displays her affection by working harder than you could imagine - Mom cooks and cleans. She answers endless wedding questions. She went joyfully to every voice recital and every basketball game. She has spent the last 17 years devoting hours and hours each day to my littlest brother.

Mom loves to have a good time. She taught us not to take ourselves too seriously. She taught us that family is most important, and she showed us how to find a bargain. She taught us about being selfless.

Happy birthday, Mom! We love you so much.

A Day for John

Yesterday was Chosen Day, a holiday created by John's family to celebrate his arrival from Korea. I feel very lucky that I've become part of his family and their sweet day, and it's a chance to reflect on the unlikely paths that brought us together.

I also love another excuse to have dinner together, so this year the theme was Southern food that won't kill you.  He says it's "better than Chick-fil-a," which really means something coming from a Georgia native. I get really excited by reasons to give him presents, too.

xo

Lauren

Change is so good.

via Black Olive Photographic

It's funny how blog posts reflect life. Currently, mine are scattered and unsettled, with no regularity whatsoever.

John and I have continued our tour of the Southeast, along with the good time. We couldn't be happier. Great things are happening.

1. I am so pleased to say that I will be joining the Outreach and Enrollment Team at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities as Program Coordinator, beginning later this month. My last job was a learning experience, and as one would hope, it paved the way to a much better position. This kind of progress doesn't often happen in just four months, so I feel very lucky.

2. John and I have decided to BUY a condo in Greenville, and we are thrilled. These grown up things are so fun. And because we never even had time to unpack in Vermont, the thought of settling into a place of our very own makes us giddy.

3. Getting back to the Upstate has let me revive contact with some fantastic people. I've been talking to Converse ladies about networking and community advice in the area. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to be in contact with my (both pink and red) sisters.

4. Friends! I've already seen my ex-professors turned very close friends, and this weekend I'm going to paint the town red, quite literally, with my college best friends: Mary Carolyn and Grace. I still haven't gotten to coordinate with my childhood friends Brittaney and Tara, but it will happen soon!

5. Family. Both of our families have been so wonderful, and it's so nice that us moving closer to them makes them so excited. We've been overwhelmed by the support and love from the Maxwells and the Concklins! Whether it's watching Herbie while I house hunt or taking us out on the town in Charleston, it's been just lovely.

6. John loves the charm of the South, along with its warmth (not the weather - but there's that, too). He's such a gentleman. It's adorable.

I hope all is well in your lives, too, and have a relaxing weekend.

xo,

Lauren

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.