1. First and foremost, I am very excited to get married, as I love Vance and all, and we’re going to have a wonderful, goofy life together. However, I am also sad because that means my picture on this table will likely disappear and be replaced with a beautiful picture of our wedding day. I mean, it’s just such a classic mugshot.
3. Showers are funny. Of course, my family will be there, but then so will many of my Mom’s friends who watched me grow up. I don’t know if they know how much it meant to me to grow up around such faithful women. It doesn’t seem like they should be giving me gifts. Seems like I should be giving them gifts. But, whatever, I’ll take the gifts.
4. One woman fasted for me to find a husband. How sweet is that? I haven’t spoken to her much over the years years, and yet here she was, across the country, praying for me.
5. I just poured myself some coffee and wished I had sweetened condensed milk to put in it.
6. I love Vietnamese coffee because the sweetened condensed milk makes it so rich.
7. Last week, I went to the wedding of two friends in Charlotesville, one of whom I traveled across Southeast Asia with. I think there’s a grammatical error in that sentence.
8. It was so fun to be back in Charlottesville and introduce that part of my life to Vance. We went to my favorite burger bar, had brunch with my old tennis buddy, his wife, and newborn, and stayed with one of my best friends, Armin.
9. Of course, Armin and I discussed religion and politics as we used to. Funny how you used to be able to have those discussions and disagree without angering anyone. We still can do it, but we seem to be the exception.
10. Armin approved of Vance and the holy union which is good. I obviously needed his approval.
11. And, man, was the wedding great. I missed weddings. It was so sweet seeing Kyle and Joyce just as caring, driven, and goofy as when I left. And so lovely to look around and be reminded of the role Charlottesville and everyone there played in shaping me.
12. We danced. I’m getting better at being led by Vance.
13. Both in dancing and in life. It’s funny – having been single for so long, I’m used to leading myself (or just roaming around aimlessly).
14. And now I have this man who is led by God. And it was always an interesting dynamic for me to picture before meeting Vance, but it makes sense now. A wise friend once told me to pray for a man who I wanted to follow because he was led by God. And I really do.
15. That doesn’t mean it’s not hard to figure out sometimes. We’re thinking about where we want to live after we get married.
16. On the one hand, houses in Seattle are $750K for a 2 bedroom, you have to show your vaccine passport to do mostly everything, and my car was broken into last week. Car break-ins seem to be a common occurrence.
17. On the other hand, this church! It’s amazing, and it is such a strong community that is really building us.
18. Chipotle! Important to inject this here, because my roommate bought me Chipotle for my birthday. Loyal readers know my obsession with Chipotle. That’s how great of a roommate she is. She intuited it because I talk about it constantly.
19. Chipotle and I had a minor falling out for three days when I got very sick at a football game. But we mended our relationship quite quickly because it’s so good.
20. And on the foot we have family! We all know how I feel about family. It’s funny though, I’ve always missed them, but maybe I’m used to missing them at this point.
21. Going back to Charlottesville, I was reminded that when I was finally settled there and had an amazing crew – multiple amazing crews, actually – God told me it was time to leave.
22. Wouldn’t it be funny if it was the same for Seattle? Regardless, the point is, I’m getting used to having a peace about God speaking to my husband and leading him as well.
23. On to less complicated topics. My first bachelorette party! Yes, I’m obviously having two bachelorette parties. What a hoot!
24. Talk about people who have been in your life forever, my best friends from high school joined. Crazy to think I’ve known them for almost twenty years. Kelsey’s just as excited all the time, Amanda’s just as sarcastic. I'm just as Anna.
25. We melded Chardon, Charlottesville, business school, and Seattle – well, Pilar. I don’t even know why Pilar wasn’t in my life until now, but man, I feel like she's always been there.
26. That’s one thing I really appreciate reflecting on life. In every stage, God has blessed me with wonderful people for that stage.
27. And normally, it’s only for a period, because life takes you different ways, but that doesn’t make that period less sweet.
28. Even in Seattle, I see my core group of business school friends far less often at this point, but they still mean so much to me and were integral in my transition there.
29. Occasionally, God gives you those gems. The people who will remain an integral part of your life no matter where you are.
30. It’s really humbling to be reminded of that, and quite honestly, it is undeserved.
31. Of course, everything God gives us is undeserved, and that’s the beautiful about Him. He wants to bless his children.
32. This past year, in the midst of the surrounding chaos, I have an acute awareness of how blessed I am.
33. There is a peace in that that surpasses all understanding and assures me that whatever the next year brings, God will continue to be faithful, and I will continue to be blessed.
34. Finally, and always - go toppers! Sidenote - if you've really been missing my writing, you should check out our wedding website. Great stuff here.
