Reason to Celebrate

This past weekend I lived on the couch of a dear friend, and former roommate, from Cincinnati. I had arrived on Friday night and enjoyed dinner from Ambar, the best Indian restaurant on the planet; that just happens to be located in the Clifton neighborhood in Cinci. After dinner came dessert, more old friends, introductions to new ones, and plenty of fireworks. Even though we had over a years worth of living to catch up on, it felt as though we had only been apart for a few days. We celebrated new babies & pregnancies, new homes, and stories of my many adventures through the year. We shared our hearts and our passions with every laugh, hug, and smile. The men drank Cognac and smoked cigars; the women sat around the kitchen table and shared "remember when" moments and what are they doing now updates.

Saturday, Emily Caine, one of the most precious women I know married Justin Carabello a man I had not met before that day but, from the moment I saw them together I knew he was perfect for her. Emily is a free spirit, she is an artist, she is silly, she wears Chuck Taylor's with her prettiest dresses! She wanted, in place of a ring, and bicycle built for two. She is the kind of girl you want to be friends with. She makes you laugh, she listens to your heart, and she knows how the throw a wicked party! At the reception I saw everyone that Emily loves not only party with her, but help her throw the party too. Instead of an expensive cake, which is always pretty to look at but very rarely tastes good, she had local friends make dozens and dozens of cookies and other dessert recipes. Our friend Wendi did all the flowers for the wedding, and I even got in on the flower arranging that morning, it was a blast! The decorations: borrowed. The caterer: family friends. The DJ: Mark Treas & an ITunes playlist, created by the bride and groom themselves. I saw community in action and was blessed to see it. The night was filled with fun, good food, dancing, authentic conversation, and a celebration of love given by God to two of His children. He was pleased with the day. I got to watch Raegan, Reece, and Eliot become mezmerized by the beautiful princess bride they saw in Miss Emily and watch as they partied along side a room full of adults, old and young alike, who were cutting up the dance floor. It was fantastic!

On Sunday, the Long's and I were invited to the Willis' house for brunch. It was so much fun spending time with our old friends. Jon made us pancakes with blueberry sauce and mimosa's. Jon, Gavin, and I were on the team to clean the kitchen and cleaned absolutely everything in 10 minutes, including sweeping the floor! The kids loved playing with one another; Rae & Reece really enjoyed their time spent with Lucy and Mary Rose and Eliot really hit it off. It seems the only one who didn't have a playmate was poor Ashton, the only boy in the bunch. He got to play a little but got over it when the girls decided to have a tea party! Gavin & Jon decided to walk across the river to the Reds game while Laura, Emily, and I; with the kids hung out and caught up on life. We got to see amazing pictures of Jon's recent trip to Mumbai, India where he took photos for an IJM project; and I shared many stories about the race.

Sunday night we got to attend the Ft Thomas Community Gathering, which is the group we were a huge part of when we lived in Cincinnati. It was a blessing to be surrounded by dear friends, hurting and blessed and minister to one another. We had those who really poured out their hearts in confession and others who came around them and prayed for strength and perserverance. It was a beautiful time of the body functioning as it should in small group settings.

This whole weekend happened, and was as wonderful as it was, because of one thing: LOVE. Every single person who played a role in making the wedding happen did so because they love Emily. They wanted to show Emily, in big and small ways, that they love her and celebrate along with her. It is the reason that Gavin, Emily, Nick, and I loaded up the van with snacks, suitcases, and three little girls who hate to be strapped down in car seats, and drove the 8 hours it takes to get from our house to Cincinnati. Love is the factor that makes it possible for time to feel nonexistant when you are catching up with friends. It is the reason we go out of our way to help when a friend is in need. Love is the reason and purpose to our lives. Love should be our identity. I was so blessed to be a part of the entire weekend, every single part. It was a redemptive trip, it was a trip that rekindled love I thought may have disappeared and it created new love and appreciation for the people and things we are so blessed to have in our lives.

What life have we; if we have not life together... T.S. Eliot