Sweet Southern Hospitality

"Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends."
[1cor13:7-8]


I have lived in Maryland for almost 10 years now and I have come to the conclusion that you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl. Everything is so much better in the south. People are laid back, super kind, and if you don't say "yes ma'am" or "no sir" then you would get a talking to.

Growing up I have been blessed to have many adopted family friends. This particular story begins a very long time ago when my dad went to high school with this girl named Peggy. My parents started dating and mom and Peggy became very good friends. They been together through the good times, and the bad times. They been there for each other during moves and kids. Let's just say they are live long friends.

When I came along into this world, for some reason I "named" this family friend Mimi. At the time we were in Roanoke, she and her kids lived in West Virginia. They would visit often and I remember her youngest daughter Mandi would teach me how to do cartwheels down the hallway. We would also go on many adventures. We went to the Roanoke Express hockey games (which aren't in existence now) and mix popcorn with M&Ms and peanuts, and also went to several baseball games.

Fast forward to Christmas 2011. Mimi and her husband David had been living in Frederick, Maryland for quite some time. This particular year all of her kids and grandkids came to their house for Christmas. My parents and I went up one evening and we had dinner together and enjoyed each other's company and also played an intense game of Apples to Apples. This was the first time I met John. For the most part he seemed nice, and he was certainly one of those guys who wasn't afraid to be involved in the family activities.

To make a long story short, John and Mandi fell in love, got engaged, and just recently got married. We had the great privilege to drive 8 very long hours to a little mountain town called Banner Elk to participate in this exciting event. During non-wedding events my parents and I did some sight-seeing around town, but the wedding was one of the most thrilling parts, and the setting couldn't have been more perfect.

The wedding itself was small and cozy. There couldn't have been more than 60 people there. The ceremony was short, but that didn't stop a chorus of tears and sobs to happen. I don't think I have ever been to a wedding where there were so many sniffles holding back the tears. Even poor Mandi and John had trouble getting through their vows.

The wedding decorations were simple yet elegant and Mandi and John thought of everything. They had mason jar glasses for guests to take home as favors, toiletry items in the bathroom if guests needed them. They even had a fire specifically for roasting marshmellows and making s'mores.

 Besides everything being so perfect, the company couldn't have been better. For part of the evening they had a country band playing music, and my oh my did people's southern, country roots come out.

If something went wrong during the evening you wouldn't have known it. Mandi and John had smiles on their faces the entire night. They were calm, and nothing in the world could have ruined the moment.

Having adopted families is one of the best things someone could have. Of course your immediate family is the best thing you could have, but having those people in your life who are more than just friends and acquaintances, who will support you through your darkest storm, who love you just as much as your immediate family is an incredible blessing.

Panda, I am so incredibly blessed to be your little sister. Every day I thank God that He allowed our parents to meet so very long ago and that they became life-long friends. John, I know without a doubt that you are the right man for my sister. I am so happy that you are in our family and am excited to get to know you better - and taste more of your awesome cooking ;)

Louisville (part 2)

"I can't wait for you to be my wife,
To live this life together.
And I won't let you go,
I need you to know,
That you are my heart, forever."
[runner.runner]

One half of our Louisville journey was dedicated to the typical touristy stuff, but the other half was dedicated to the happiest days of one of my best friend's life. And my oh my was it a happy day.

The day started off with all the bridesmaids and mother of the bride and groom going to get our nails done.

Our time at the nail salon was full of laughter, memories, and mimosas! (of course...)

mimosa servant

DJ also met some new friends at the nail salon and told them all about her big day, and even shared mimosas with them. She also got a shout out on the radio station booth set up outside the salon.

"this is what he looks like!!!"

Every girl dreams of having the perfect wedding. Well, God answered our prayers for the day. A week before the wedding DJ frantically texted all of the bridesmaids asking to pray for good weather because when she checked it said it was suppose to rain all that weekend. There was hardly a cloud in the sky and no sign of rain anywhere. And the backyard wedding setting couldn't have been more beautiful.

Two of the three things were checked off our list for the day: beautiful weather and beautiful setting. The last thing that needed to be completed: beautiful bridesmaids. I think we did a pretty good job of that, not to be vain or anything :) We spent the entire afternoon getting all pretty with make up and getting our hair done - who knew it took so long for girls to get ready.

some of us thought we were the center of attention

And what is a wedding without having a little fun while you get ready? The entire afternoon we had a wide variety of music to listen to that caused random dance parties, even the wedding coordinator got funky with her hair do for the evening.

One of the special parts about getting ready was taking time to sit down for a minute or two and enjoy a slideshow made by one of the bridesmaids, recounting memories from year's past.

So far during the day we had many laughs, and we had many tears - and the tradition continued as DJ, after what seemed like forever, finally put on her wedding dress. Drew even got invited to stand outside the door and have a special, "private" conversation with DJ.

Everyone was dressed, and the wedding was finally about to start. 

just wait until you see her

We were under strict orders from the bride that we were to all carry our phones behind our bouquet and take pictures during the ceremony. Not a problem for six technologically savvy bridesmaids. The ceremony itself was lovely. The weather was still gorgeous. There was a nice breeze to keep us cool. The mosquitos were biting like crazy. And a fly decided it was okay to attack my face during part of the ceremony. But in the end, they were married.

The reception was delightful and the bridal party pictures? Well, they were equally as special.

It is no hesitation when I say that this was the most magical evening ever. The weather was fabulous, the fellowship was grand, and the end result?

They were married and lived happily ever after.