A toast: not the kind with jelly but the kind you give to a Mr. and Mrs.

Here is a riddle for you: What's thesis, maid of honor, and first week of school all over? Oh yeah, me last week.  Ok, so its not a good riddle but I am serious, last week was busy.  I would like to take a moment to celebrate the completion of a lot of things last week.  *moment*

This Saturday was the wedding of my dear friend.  We have been friends since 4th grade and let me tell you, of all the makeovers, made-up dances, hours at Starbucks, and general shenanigans, this event has been the climax of our friendship thus far.  You do not know this girl, perhaps, but you should know this incredible story. 

Read incredible story here:
(for the record the incredible story is titled incredible because of events not because I wrote it)

Upon proposal, almost two years ago, this couple was in love.  During their engagement period, there was a point when they could have called it off.  It would have been justified.  This couple however chose to stick it out.  People have divorced for less, yet they fought.  Most would call them crazy but I find them anything but.  This is a testament to God's grace and redemption. The world is full of brokenness and this brokenness results in this search for a source of perfection.  In a time when everything was telling them to call it quits, they ran to God and God, the Author and Perfecter, brought them closer to Him and closer to each other.  Since this, they have let God write their love story.  Almost two years later, they are now married.  It makes me want to shout from a rooftop, "Wooooo marriage!"  Their relationship deserves celebration and points directly to the glory of God and His power.  I know that they would have not been walking down the aisle if God had not given them His strength, His grace and His love, which surpasses all.  People fail, God is unfailing.  Let Him write your love story, because it lets you get your hair did, invite your friends to wear matching dresses, dance down the aisle, enjoy delicious food, and get your groove on. 

I am praising God today for this couple.  I know that their choice to stick it out will bless them in their marriage down the road and has prepared them for inevitable challenges to come. I also know that it will allow them to mentor others.  God is going to use this couple to bring more redemption to marriages elsewhere.   I love that God gets to use these two broken people to do huge kingdom work. Praise. the. Lord.

^{1 Corinthians 1:27-31
"27} But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

"Who likes married people?????!!!!!????" -(quote of the wedding, maybe you had to be there... but this blog could not end any other way.  Sorry. But not really.)

Things I wish I would have known before, um, now.

So, today's story begins with an anecdote of something that happened yesterday that I am still laughing about. I was at a beautiful wedding celebrating a truly blessed union between two dear friends, Amy and Justin about 24 hours ago, where you would have found me (24 hour younger me)  in a dress.  A black polka dot dress with leggings.  A black polka dot dress that also is of the style of a puffy bottom within those that can make one look pregnant when one is not.  This is not a feature of the dress I was aware of but I quickly learned as we stood in line to get our food.   Someone mistook just that.  Asking, "Awwww, are you pregnant?" is not a question one wants to hear after dropping two dress sizes in a summer, especially with her man standing right next to her.  So I sat there, corrected her kindly and then filled my plate with twice the vegetables because welp, I might as well if people already think I'm eating for two as a result of this dress.  I then thought of this Brian Regan skit. 

Word to the wise: Never ask a girl if she is pregnant unless the baby is like coming out of her, cause you never know with styles this days. 

Word to the unwise (myself): Tuck this dress away until you are actually pregnant many years from now to avoid confusion.

In other news, for my birthday I got 3 dessert cookbooks and a whole creme brulee kit.  I will be a well-fed preggers when the time comes.  Until then? I will make some goody bags for my man. A way to a mans heart is through his stomach, right?  Lets see how this stomach likes tropical or cranberry pumpkin cookies.

Since Proverbs 17 says a cheerful heart is good medicine, I thought this story was good to share.  I love life's funny moments and am a strong believer of the necessity to share and spread the joy.

Until next time,

Me (Joyful, 24-hour-older-and-maybe-slightly-wiser me)