Incroyable

I don’t know how to convey how wonderful this past weekend was.  I know I’ve talked about family dinners and my roommates from college and how very special and important everyone is but how exactly does one put into words that feeling.  That comfort one finds in friendships that will last forever?

We were in Athens, GA this past weekend to celebrate one of my best friends, Josh and his new bride, Erin.  Josh is one of those guys who, I’m sure, everyone feels comfortable with.  He’s sincere, he’s genuine, he’s real, he’s raw, he’s emotional, he’s hilarious, he can get serious, he gets mad, he’s passionate about everything that is important to him.  I love him dearly and value his friendship so very much. I rely on Josh probably more than he realizes and maybe even more than I do.  We’re both busy adults, I mean Josh is in Grad School and working a full time job and fixing his house and making pots and playing soccer and always finding time to spend with Erin. We all know I work too much.  But when the two of us actually have 10 minutes to reconnect – it’s instant.  We weave back and forth between life questions and jokes about the fact that we’re “adults” like it’s nobody’s business.  This past weekend was for him and I am honored I was able to participate.

Josh and Erin have so many important people in their lives, so many people who value them and cherish them – this led to a wedding full of incredible company.  Myself, two of my best girlfriends and former roommate (Sliz & Scare) and two of Erin college girlfriends (Ellen & Neha) were asked to be their usher-etts, it was great. We were able to say hello to every single person who came through the school house doors.  Ellen, the night before had struck up a conversation with her husband Ben and Rory and I by telling me that we were being too Wittenberg centric, which I totally appreciated and really enjoyed their company.  Josh asked me to do a reading for the ceremony, from Kahlil Gibran’s the Prophet, on Marriage.  It was so beautiful.  As I was reading, something compelled me to turn towards Erin and Josh and deliver the passage to them – to connect to them because this day and this reading was about and for them.  Not that I didn’t want to include everyone else, but this was important for me to say to them.  I want to share the passage because I think it's so true for relationships.

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. 




Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. 




Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

The reception was awesome.  I can’t wait to send you to their photographer’s website so you can see the venue.  BEAUTIFUL.  More than once Rory and I were like – this is our reception.  This is what we’ve already talked about.  It was rustic and classy. There was a Bluegrass Band playing.  There was mac ‘n cheese, there was BBQ, there was pie.  PIE, guys.  I want pie instead of cake.  It was the rustic simplicity.  I also, want to make strawberry jam for everyone, Josh made fig preserves.  It was great.

All is all it was worlds colliding in the most beautiful way possible.  College friends, camp friends and Rory.  I was so happy to be able to introduce him to so many incredible people.  And, it was kinda nice to see a wedding similar to how we want ours to go – funny that one of my best friends would give us a test run. :)

How was your Halloween?  Anything exciting? Also - the best chicken pot pie I've ever made is coming soon. !