Going Together

Today marks five years of "going together." Our first wedding anniversary fast approaches, but I couldn't let this special day go by! I feel it will always be a day set aside on my calendar.

Our relationship has been far from perfect, but we have a God who continually teaches us what it means to love well. When we fail one another, it is that love that makes restoration possible. 

Jesus said of the woman who wiped his feet with her tears and hair, "[H]er sins, which are many, are forgiven -- for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:47, ESV)

I want to learn to love much because I know the extent of my own forgiveness.

Emptied and Filled Up

What a whirlwind of serving and receiving, of outreaching and fellowshipping, of striving and rejoicing!

My childhood best friend, Tali Rose, was wed last night. I joyfully bore the title, "Matron of Honor," and at twenty-three years of age I was the oldest of the eighteen attendants beside Tali and Garrett.

 I'm not sure I can remember ever being this tired -- except for maybe a 24-hour period when I had to give a piano recital and take a music history final exam. In the end, I came up full and not empty. While I gave everything of myself, I felt poured into ten-fold.

Here is my numbering of gratitude this weekend, for I discovered bounty upon bounty.

1. I ate lamb for the first time and loved it.
2. My dietary needs were accommodated splendidly! I am craving another slice of homemade grain-free cheesecake that I was served at the rehearsal dinner.
3. My SIL, Kelly, rescued me from "outfit crisis." I had spent so much time getting other things ready that I neglected my personal details for the rehearsal dinner. I called her last-minute, and she stepped in marvelously!
4. Our friends, Erin and Justin, kept Brooklyn overnight for us while I ran the bachelorette party and again during the rehearsal. Huge blessing!
5. Ty's family kept Brooklyn the entire wedding day. I never once worried.
6. Good (and might I add unexpected) conversation with new friends
7. Time alone running on the beach
8. Hosting Bailey, one of Tali's bridesmaids. I fell in love with her instantly! Her positive attitude and sweet spirit were a blessing on our home!
9. My dear friend, Haylee, made it down for the wedding. She spent the entirety of her short visit assisting the wedding party and me. I know she saved the day at least five times yesterday. At least.
10. The rain held off. For the bachelorette party, the rehearsal, and the wedding. This is no small feat in the middle of June. Thank you, God!
11. Exchanging words with my bestie. Mine were pronounced in the presence of witnesses, while hers were tucked away in an envelope. Both instances are sealed upon my heart.
12. Seeing myself more honestly. This is a scary thing, for sure, because my heart is so entwined in idols of control and acceptance and pride. In many moments of potential stress, I found myself taking a deep breath and choosing not to nag or question. I definitely found myself overreacting at times, but at least I was beginning to see my tendencies.
13. My husband selflessly ran around all day for the wedding party (okay, mostly for me!) without complaint.
14. The best man asked me more than once how he could help out. He even gave Tyler his tie, which matched my floral dress. Again, blessed by someone I met only Saturday.
15. The bridesmaids are the most wonderful bunch of ladies. Multiple times throughout the day, they checked in on me and asked me how I was. They even brought me food and made me sit down more than once. I received so many hugs that I was beginning to feel like the bride. Wow. Those girls love well.
16. Tali loved the decor! We worked so hard on the decorations and room set up in the morning. I had left the mostly-necessary information at home, so our group improvised instead. When Tali arrived and exhibited sheer delight at the sight of her reception barn, I was overjoyed.
17. My mom stepped in today and did an airport run for me. I enjoyed Dumbo and a nap with my newphew. Perfect rest and recuperation!

Bridal shower at my mom's! Missing three bridesmaid.

Bachelorette fun! Only missing Mary Elisabeth here.

Wedding superhero by day, hottie by night (Haylee, that is!)

I love this man. Can you tell? Shout-out to Kelly! My entire outfit belongs to her. The hair is mine.

Shuffleboard rehearsal?

Wedding party, minus Mary E. She was stuck in London due to flight cancellations, poor thing!

Love these girls!

Poor lighting, but I insisted on a picture. I have zero from my own rehearsal and dinner.

One of the best parts of the wedding day! Tali's ankle was hurting, so she was icing it in bed. Eventually a bunch of us ended up piling in, too!

Blessed to have met Bailey, Tali's ID bridesmaid!

Mary Elisabeth! All the way from Scotland! She has the best laugh.

Sweet Mollie! This girl and I are planning our first marathon...details to come!

My gorgeous friend (Photo by Kait)

The barn! (Photo by Kait)

First dance! (Photo by Sierra)

A little R&R with my favorite nephew! I can only say that a few more months, because IT'S A BOY! Baby boy will be joining us December 2nd.

In honor of the men and women who sacrificed for my freedom. They all gave everything, and few returned home.

This is a re-post from my trip to Normandy two summers ago, complete with photos of the American Cemetery and my reflections.

While today is just another day for us, June 6, 1944 was an important day for our country. It remains an important day for many families who were affected by this day sixty-nine years ago.

I want to remember.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Just returned home from a grueling trip to Normandy.

When I mentioned Flexibility the other day, I didn't realize how much more closely I would become aquatinted with her.

I'm fighting the temptation to grumble and complain any more (was able to rant to Mom earlier today :), but today was very frustrating. So I'll keep it short. Let's just say that we were misinformed and sold tickets to the wrong station in Normandy. We were fined on the train for not "validating our tickets" (never told we had to) and arrived three hours away (by car) from Omaha Beach. One bus, another train, a taxi, and 5 1/2 hours later we made it to the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach, in time to walk around for 45 minutes before it closed.

We never made it to the ocean (the site closed), but the short time we walked through the cemetery was worth every minute, every euro, and every trouble.

Our time at the cemetery was very rushed and emotionally charged, but I was able to slow down and take it all in while we were there. The two-hour train ride home gave me some time to detox and think over the day's events. I'll just share some photos and then something I wrote in my journal on the way home.

Train no. 1.

The city where we first arrived from Paris. We didn't realize how far were still were from Omaha, so we enjoyed ignorantly moseying around the area and walking near the coast.

It's beautiful here.

Banana break.

Some very good, stress-free moments of the day. :)

I've resolved to come back to this place and spend time getting to know the area. It reminded me of Wilmington, NC and PEI, Canada for separate reasons.

Bus trip.

Train trip no. 2.

Taxi.

We finally made it, and this was the first thing I saw.

Though we were pressed for time, I made sure to sign the guest book.

We seriously ran through the exhibit hall, so we could make it to the cemetery. I still managed to snap some shots to show Dad.

That's the real beach. 

My first glimpse.

You may look at all these many pictures and think they're the same.

But they're not. They're different names and different people.

This is when I really broke down.

Closest view of the beach.

How can my response be anything but thankfulness after such a sobering experience?

We had a few close moments today, but all the stresses and frustrations washed away when I felt with my heart the vastness perceived by my eyes. So much loss. It is unfathomable. To say it was sobering does not even begin to portray the gravity and reality of the experience. I've read, watched movies, and talked with Dad, but even the raw nature of those things falls incomprehensibly short. The hour spent walking ghostlike among names and past teal seas which were bloodstained will never leave my heart, though I will fail to express in words how I have been changed.