Shawizms

I love weddings.

And I had the honor of helping coordinate a wedding today for a very dear friend of mine, who I have known for lots-o years. I love her to death, and was so very excited to get to share in her (well, and his…) special day. They have such a special story, and are such a wonderful testimony of what solid, Christ-like faith looks like.

It was a beautiful ceremony, that thankfully went off without a hitch (not like that was my job or anything…)

But really, I seriously love weddings. I love wedding dresses and wedding music, I love seeing the “unique to the couple” decorations, and reliving all the wedding pictures after.

I absolutely love watching the groom when he sees his bride for the first time (true confession, I hardly ever watch the bride walk down the isle, I usually look at the groom. Top ten reasons you’ll see a grown man cry!).

I also love watching couples during the ceremony. From newly married themselves to more seasoned couples, I love to watch them remember what it was like at their wedding, and why they fell in love in the first place (amazing how weddings will do that to you…).

And cake, who doesn’t love wedding cake??

Plus, it’s a great opportunity to get all fancied up for a few hours. Don’t we look good?

All that being said, for all the fun, weddings are a TON of work. I think I was spoiled when I got married, since apparently everyone did the work for me. I just showed up (late to boot), and clearly had no idea how much goes into the wedding day (ok, so maybe I had a small idea…). But I was deep in the wedding day nitty-gritty details today, and I absolutely loved every single minute of it. Maybe wedding coordinating is in my future? (Just kidding hun, I promise I won’t start a new career…again…)

But after all that work, now it’s over, and they’re married and off on the honeymoon. I wish them the very best as they begin their lives together, and pray for many blessings, patience, strength, and laughter as they do this thing called marriage! (But that’s a post for another time…)

Well, after a few poke and prods from those who call themselves my loved ones (I’m looking at you, honey…) here I am, joining the world of blogdom (is that even a word?). However, in an effort to avoid being another redundant (see what I did there??) beginning blogger, and in honor of another Labor Day passing by, I hearbye present you with some of my favorite pictures from this summer. There is no particular order…just memorable moments.

So, please enjoy these pictures of my family doing things you were not involved in (I am going to be SO good at this blogging thing…):

Ok so technically this wasn’t this summer proper, but it’s hard to let it go when you get an opportunity to meet one of the COOLEST Penn State Football players. I mean really