A Semi-Wordless Update

Once Upon A Time...

We arrived at the most beautiful, perfect beach house ever made.

No, seriously, it was wonderful.

I relaxed with old friends.

Spent calm moments alone.

Of course brought Sara.

The bride may have possibly eaten more ice cream.

And reclined pensively on plush couches.

Spent time with the most incredible Mommy, exchanging memories.

And exchanged glances with friends who know me so well.

Spent a night like a bachelorette.

Enjoyed a bridal brunch with the most personal, touching elements I could have never expected.

Laughed with 'nother mothers.

Stared at my brother for as long as possible, memorizing his face because I don't see it enough.

Was awed and amazed by the most wonderful friends a girl could ever have.

And ate a beautiful meal.

Rehearsed a ceremony with the sexiest man alive.

In the most intimate and wonderfully decorated banquet hall.

See.

Got to hug sisters from far away. (Gorgeous isn't she?)

Laughed a little too much.

And then it was time to don the dress I dreamed of wearing for 26 years.

Zip it up.

Place the veil.

And shed a tear, because we're finally here, Dad.

Say "farewell" to singleness.

And walk just a few steps on my Dad's arm.

Put my hand in the hand of that man who will hold it evermore.

And smile.

Eat and laugh with the best people in the world.

Run away to a lavish honeymoon in Ft. Lauderdale. What's that? A picture? We uhm, we don't have many. Yeah. So....moving on.

We moved into a perfectly remodeled, wonderfully inviting home that my husband and in-laws spent all their summer months preparing. Thanks Mom Hoggard - you are wonderful in so many ways!

I fell in love with our den.

And the nook in which my table fits so snug and comfortably.

And the black cabinets in my kitchen.

And the mantle my father-in-law hand-crafted for us.

Fall came.

My husband went hunting.

Winter came. And I embraced my loved of scarves all over again.

We put our Christmas tree up, stood back, sighed, and cried together because we waited so many years for that moment.

And here we live, happily every day. (Or at least most parts of every day ;)