octolilly [through the years]

Happy 26th Birthday!

The past week has been quite swirly – an ice storm having knocked out most of the power around here for days. So, you and I have been camped out at my parent’s since Wednesday night.

And it feels like we have been on an Adventure since then. Every day has brought about the unexpected. Thursday was insane – no power at either of our homes, no cell service, no cable internet – nothing. You spent the day in the break room at The Bank and it was quite fun to walk through and see you sitting there.

We both took Friday off and spent the entire day working on wedding plans. It was a real journey to drive to Greenville (all the traffic lights were out, trees were down, and detours were common), but we did it. And then we laughed and wiggled so hard when we saw the wedding invitations. They are beautiful!

Saturday was spent in Hendersonville, in the midst of a bridal portrait shoot. Against tradition, you’ve seen me in my wedding gown a few times now and it has become very special to us. I’m quite tired of hearing “oh, you can’t do that” and “you are going to have horrid luck.” We knew that you would be the only one to take me to Hendersonville and what Else are you going to do for those 8 hours? Plus, the wedding gown is becoming more and more special. You are remembering the details of it and getting to see me flounce about in it a lot more than just an hour or so on one evening.

I think my favorite moment was when Judy turned up the music yesterday afternoon while she and Jim were working on the next pose. I was relaxed on the white couch and you were sitting beside me. Mark Cohn was singing True Companion and the words were pounding into my soul while you sat there and stared into my eyes. You took your hand and brushed my veil away and just kissed me so sweetly.

So don’t you dare and try to walk away
I’ve got my heart set on our wedding day
I’ve got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that it’s you allright

It was a tender moment. But then so was most of the shoot. When we went outside to take pictures against the ice storm – it was amazing. You kept making sure I wasn’t too cold and winking at me between the poses.

The drive home from Hendersonville was really touching. You listened to me cry my heart out and then you held my hand while I slept. I think we are really learning the meaning of give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them humane, enough of failure to keep them humble, and enough of success to make them sure they walk with You.

And now, Day Five of this Adventure is a most special day. You will turn 26 sometime around noon (I’ll probably pinch you during church around that time) and we will get to celebrate your birthday all day long. It’s going to be a busy day (my Granny has a lovely 80th birthday party today) – but I’ll make sure it’s special for you.

I’m going to crawl out of bed now and go knock on the guest room door and sing you happy birthday.

I love you so much, Daniel. Only 34 days until I become your wife.

Only 34 days until we begin learning that marriage is not living merely for each other; it is two uniting and joining hands to serve the Lord.

Here’s to more wonderful birthdays! And more days of learning how to look at each other through kind and patient eyes.

Your Whirly Girl

P. S. I love this picture of you.