This week is the last week in preparation for my sister, Laney’s, wedding. Over the last months, as each milestone of the planning has passed, a flood of bittersweet, mixed emotions have pulled at my heart strings. Laney made the statement several times over the last few months that “things will never be the same again,” how true this is. This week also marks a year of marriage for Justin and I and those mixed emotions have only grown stronger as I realize our wedding day is another memory… a day that we will never be able to relive and be physically present in again. In those moments, it feels as though you couldn’t be happier and more fulfilled, and when you look back, you feel still yet, maybe you didn’t cherish them enough. If only you had felt the gravity of that first kiss as husband and wife, when he took your hand to turn and face all those who love and celebrate with you so well as you’re announced Mr. and Mrs, the first time you signed a new last name to yours, and as you cut the cake and toast to forever; those moments and the gravity that they’ll never happen again, but also the joy, as there is an abundance of moments just as special, to happen in all the years ahead. As all these thoughts flooded my mind this week, I have also thought about my heart toward my sister getting married and really wanting the ability to share with her the importance of finding that joy and fulfillment, and also peace in the midst of the chaos of planning a wedding. I want her to be able to reflect a year from now and know without a shadow of a doubt that she cherished every moment.

As we began planning her bridal shower, above all, my heart was for her to know how loved she is. She has shown me immeasurable love and given me more strength than she will ever know and I wanted for her to feel an outpouring of that same love and to know how proud I am of her and for her. There have been several nights over the last months that she has so willingly shared her heart with me, and as a family, we have all felt so overwhelmingly blessed to have family and friends surrounding us. I am forever thankful for all of those that shared in celebrating her and poured out love over her and Cody.

 The theme, “Something Blue,” came as I observed her love for the tradition of a wedding while embodying an elegant and feminine feel. Everyone that attended the shower wore a shade of blue in honor of the bride, and of course, Laney wore white. It turned out to be adorable!

A heartfelt thank you goes to Tammie Barr, Sarah Markham, and Mary Reese

Venue: The Cellar

Cake: The Flour Sack Bakery

Invitations: Lindsey Hunter at Little Paper Mama