I am so excited to blog right now! If my mind had its own wedding planning tank [which, I'm pretty sure it does], then it would be on full/overflowing today. In the last 4.5 months, I've had days when flowers & cake toppers & guestbooks couldn't be further from my mind. Today however, is not one of those days. Nope. Not one of those days at all. I've pretty much been browsing wedding websites for the last 2 hours straight. Paying no mind to the countless projects & papers I have due before Spring Break starts next week. *Yay!
What conjured up this overflow of enthusiasm, you may ask? Well, it all began this morning during a simple breakfast at Panera Bread :::Iamsoobsessed::: with my dear friend Ali Conerly. Ali & I met our freshman year, and she was one of--if not the very first friend I made in college. We ended up living together our Sophomore year, and to say we were heartbroken when she moved out that summer...was an understatement. We saw each other through lots of ups+downs during a huge period of transition in our lives, and as a result, her friendship has meant much to me.
That being said, you can imagine my excitement when, just a few months after Walker & I got engaged...so did Ali, to her fiance Matt! Ever since their big news over Christmas, Ali & I have been dying to get together and talk about all things bridal. Finally...our busy schedules cleared just enough to allow us a couple of hours together this morning. [You see, we are both busy brides! Well, I am just the normal kind of busy. Ali however, is the super-human-warp-speed-crazy-lady kind of busy.] And our time together was such.a.blessing. I'm tellin' ya!
We talked about everything. From photographers. To honeymoons. To shoes. [FYI the search for yellow heels is s t i l l on. I know, I know. Its ridiculous. All I want is a pair of satin, canary yellow peep toe pumps. Ya know? Is that so much to ask?] It was so refreshing to talk to another bride-to-be who knows + is experiencing the same trials & triumphs that I am. Not that my unengaged friends don't listen to my wedding woes, but I sometimes feel like all my bridal babbling is burdening them. Wow, apparently I am obsessed with alliteration right now. I don't even know why I am doing that. Cheesy.
My time with Ali this morning was just extra good to my bride-to-be soul. It got my creative wheels turning all over again, and my mind has been thinking about all things wedding since then! Today has been a good reminder of the fun & excitement that can come from the literal aspects of planning a wedding. It doesn't all have to be crunching numbers & addressing envelopes. With only 120 days to go, I am thankful today for the listening ear of another bride-to-be! Love ya Ali! September 24th will be here before you know it!
:::A+A our sophomore year!:::
:::dream shoes:::
These last few days have been such a beautiful blur! Friday & Saturday were spent at a Marriage Conference in Raleigh. What a blessing! Walker & I both went in with mixed feelings and a bit of awkwardness...but we couldn't have asked for a better experience! We had the privilege to hear some great truths from God's word, as well as spend some time digging deep into the hearts of our future spouse. We also met Kevin & Kelli, another engaged couple from Charlotte, NC. We were thankful for their fellowship throughout the weekend!
[I should also add that attending this marriage conference would not have been possible without Walker's willingness to sacrifice. He chose to forgo a Choral Festival in Mars Hill so we could attend this conference together. And I am so thankful! Walker:::Your sacrifices humble me. Thank you for always making our relationship a top priority.]
The rest of our Saturday was filled with fellowship, as we had the rare opportunity to spend time with both of our parents, at the same time! We were able to share a meal together at Noodles & Company [So good! Fingers crossed that Asheville gets one by the time I move there!], and make lots of progress on wedding plans. We took Walker's parents to see the church, as well as the reception site--and they loved it! Later, Walker & I got a chance to sit down with his dad and discuss some specifics about our marriage counseling, which will start soon!
By Sunday, we were both back at our separate corners of the state. I enjoyed a beautiful Sunday filled with friends, fellowship, and football! Well, in my case--Fergie. Because I pretty much just watched the half-time show. Oh and Finn. Because obviously I watched the Glee episode that immediately followed. But, I can't lie. It kind of scared me.
Enough alliteration. Bottom line, my weekend was lovely! But gone way too fast. I am looking forward to the week ahead...no tests, AND on Thursday my best friend Ashley Miller comes into town! Ashley is one of those friends that female country artists write about. The kind that is always there when I need a laugh, a listening ear, or a shoulder to cry on. I cannot wait to soak up some sweet time with her!
Now...I'd love to keep writing, but to be honest, I'm too distracted by The Bachelor's Michelle's crazy antics to write one word more. She is insane! This show is too much. Yet here I sit. Week after week. I'll be sure to blog again in the next few days while I'm NOT watching bad, yet addicting, reality TV.
To quote a kindred spirit of mine, Taylor Swift: I'm in my room. It's a typical Tuesday night.
Really! I am. And really, it is.
This semester, Tuesdays are my one night of the week where I don't have one place to be. I change into my pajamas at 5pm. I do laundry. I watch the entire hour of E! News without moving. And then I watch bad television [read: Hellcats] while folding clothes for the rest of the night. I know, I know. Please. Don't judge me.
But tonight is a bit different. My roommate is hosting her Girls Bible Study group at our apartment, and I can hear them right on the other side of my door! I can't hear every word, but I hear laughter. And encouragement. And awesome Godly discussion. As they share, and ask questions, I am reminded how important it will be once I am married to find a group similar to this.
The only problem is: I don't know how to do that. I checked, and they don't post Bible Studies on Cragislist. And you know what? Even if they did...I'm just not really sure I would attend. A bible study for serial killers? No thanks. Anyways. I need help. When Walks & I get married I'll be on the other end of the state and I won't know anyone and I won't know how to get anywhere and it will be just like starting college all over again except for I will actually like my roommate. [Run-on sentences are all the rage.]
The last 4 years, through my involvement in the Baptist Campus Ministry, I've been spoiled with tons of good, clean, fun female fellowship. And I'm so responsive to that. I thrive in a social environment that allows me to learn, and laugh, and grow with other Christian women. I'm nervous that I'll get to Asheville, and have no social life. Which will make me grumpy. And I'll fight with Walker. And he'll make me sleep on the couch. Or not let me get a puppy.
As you can see. Severe consequences could ensue if I can't find some form of a social outlet. It is my prayer that even now God will begin to match my heart with a group of women in Asheville that I can fellowship with. But: I am not in Asheville YET! And I am going to soak up this last semester in Greenville with the wonderful girls God has put around me. May I see them as the blessings they are each day, and may I learn as much as I can from them before I make the big move.
Now. If you'll excuse me, I must return to eavesdropping.
