All About Love

Last weekend Jason and I had the priviledge to travel down to Montgomery for my friend Sarah's wedding.  I met Sarah back in 2004 when we both interned for Senator Jeff Sessions in Washington, DC.  Sarah was a definite answer to prayer in that we wanted similar things out of her internship (to learn about Congress and explore the city) and so we spent the four weeks of our internship pretty inseparable.  Once we got back to Alabama she returned to Samford and I continued on in Tuscaloosa but we kept in touch.  We got to live in Tuscaloosa together during her first year of law school and my first year of marriage.  If you know anything about those two things you'll know that we didn't have a lot of free time to get together but we occasionally met for lunch during the year.  After we moved north we continued to keep in touch and I was so excited to hear from her a little over a year ago that she had met someone and that they were seriously dating.

Sarah was in our wedding four and a half years ago and I was so blessed that she was able to stand by my side while I said "I do."  So as the years progressed I continued praying for Sarah and for her future husband.  When Sarah called and told me that she had met Brent she described him in the most glowing terms and it seemed like they were very well suited.  We didn't actually get to meet until one of their bridal showers in October but when we met I knew that he was just as Sarah had described and that they were pretty perfect for each other.

So I was excited to get to join her for her special day last weekend.  Jason and I left Charlotte with his parent's and enjoyed a night away and time to enjoy the wedding festivities.  They got married in a beautiful old church in Montgomery and then had their reception in the church hall which, honestly, looked more like a beautiful museum than what you would expect in a church hall! Everything as beautiful and I was so glad that I got to be with Sarah as she joined her life to Brent's.  Here's wishing them many, many happy years of marriage!

Before the wedding with Sarah

At the reception with Jason.  Since our dresses were tea-length and strapless I opted to add my jacket for the reception because it was freezing!  Notice the beautiful room in the background, it was gorgeous!

Ben and Christen's Wedding

Last night our friends Ben and Christen got married in a beautiful ceremony. We took Charlotte at Christen's insistence but I was too nervous to let her stay through the ceremony so Jason took her out right before it started. I could just imagine her crying or something during the vows. Christen was always nice enough to say that it wouldn't matter but it would matter to me so I sent them out. :) It was a beautiful ceremony and I'm sure that God will bless their marriage. I absolutely loved the song that was sung while they lit the unity candle. It was called "This Kind of Love" and I'm about to go find it on iTunes because I loved it!

After the ceremony there was a super fun reception at a local farm with a beautiful tent with chandeliers and lots of flowers. It was gorgeous! And thankfully the weather couldn't have been better! It was actually cool when the wind blew which was totally unexpected for a wedding in the south in August. Charlotte was a little overwhelmed with all of the people and music but she behaved great and we got to show her off to all of our friends. She finally crashed in Mom's arms! We left a little early because she started getting fussy, but it was a beautiful reception. Christen, could you give me the name of the song that y'all danced your first dance to? It was great too! And the Father/Daughter dance was so sweet! It was a song called, I think, "Daddy's Angel".

We are so excited for you Ben and Christen! We hope you have a fantastic honeymoon and enjoy married life! Congratulations!

Mac's Wedding

Last night Jason and I got to go to the wedding of someone who I've known ever since I can remember. Mac was always someone who kidded around like a kid. I wasn't ever allowed to say "Yes, Sir" to him so I had to say "Yes, Mac" since my parents wouldn't let me just say "Yes" to an adult. He, his brother David, and his sister Karen threw a "pre-wedding" party for Jason and I the Thursday before our wedding which was so much fun.
Mac is a great guy and last night he married Ruth in a beautiful ceremony. Here are some pictures from the night and the picture of Mac and I from my wedding!

Charlotte hung out with Kelly, Tripp, and Caroline last night. To check out pictures from their fun evening go see Kelly's blog.

Leigh and Justin's Wedding

Yesterday my friend Leigh got married.  It was a beautiful wedding that was a perfect picture of their relationship and their love for God.  The wedding was fairly casual (it was at 11 am).  Leigh walked down the aisle to a guitarist which played absolutely beautifully.  The scripture that was read was perfect and talked about God's love for us.  The songs chosen were beautiful and also pointed everyone back to our Savior.  After the ceremony there was a wonderful reception at a neat warehouse downtown that has been turned into an event hall.  The location provided the perfect ambiance for "The Sinatra Guy" who sang.

Overall, it was the perfect wedding and perfect day!  Hopefully Leigh and Justin have made it to their honeymoon location and are enjoying a much deserved vacation.  Congratulations Leigh and Justin!

Leigh and I before the wedding.  Her dress was beautiful and so Leigh!

Jason and I before the wedding

Some of my favorite "getting ready" pictures

Leigh's cake was great! Justin had cupcakes which were divine also!

*As a side note, I used Picnik to make the collages for this post.  I'll provide more info on how to use Picnik, etc in a separate post.

Happy Anniversary Carrie and Scott!

Happy Anniversary Carrie and Scott!

On this day, maybe 14 years ago, my aunt Carrie married my uncle Scott (he wasn't my  uncle at the time, don't worry).  There is not a time in my life that I don't remember Scott being around at all family gatherings.  Carrie and Scott started dating in high school (like Jason and I and almost everyone else in my family) and got married right before Christmas.  Their wedding wasn't the first one that I was in but it was the first that I remember because it was spectacular. 

My other oldest cousin, Anna, and I were Junior Bridesmaids in the wedding and we got to wear these beautiful green velvet dresses.  When I say it they don't necessarily sound beautiful but the wedding party was gorgeous!  We had green velvet dresses, the bridesmaids had green velvet skirts and these pretty white (organza maybe?) tops.  Carrie's dress was beautiful!  My little brother was the ring bearer...although the wedding planner refused to let him carry the real rings.  He was like seven! That's another story altogether but I'm pretty sure that my family still very much dislikes that woman.  Which is why, at our wedding, Carrie and Scott's son Sam definitely got to carry the real rings down the aisle.  I didn't want to be resented for the rest of my life and I knew we could trust him!

Back to the real story, the wedding was right before Christmas with poinsettias and candles and Christmas tree's in the sanctuary and the reception.  It really was beautiful.  If I had any pictures of the wedding here I'd post them (Carrie if you have any on your computer send them to me and I'll post them to show everyone how pretty it was).  It was tons of fun and so special for me to get to play a part in their day.  Not only did I feel SUPER important but I got to see the beginnings of a beautiful marriage.

So, Congratulations Carrie and Scott! I hope you have a wonderful anniversary!  Thanks for setting such a great example of marriage!

Going to the chapel...

One of my oldest and best friends called me Monday and told me that she got engaged over the weekend!  I've known Leigh since pre-school and she has always been the best friend.  If I ever needed a shoulder to cry on, someone to rejoice with, a prayer buddy, an acountability partner, anything I have always been able to count on Leigh! And now I am so excited that she's finally met the man of her dreams and they're going to get married.  Jason and I got to meet Justin at dinner tonight and he was so nice.  The best part was seeing how they looked at each other....just so in love!

Congratulations Leigh and Justin! We could not be happier for you!  We pray that God blesses both of you as you join your lives and that you have a wonderful marriage full of God's richest blessings!