The Writing's on the Wall

Alas, proof! I graduated for the University of Virginia. After spending over a month lying on the bed in the guest bedroom, I finally coaxed Justin into hanging my enormous college diploma in our apartment. If memory serves me, I believe UVa is the only university that still uses the original diploma format used at the time of the first graduating class. i.e.- Our diplomas are not the tradition 8X11 types... nope... this sucker is 16X20 without the mat and frame. Yeah, so we always have to make a statement... after all... we are The University. ha! Just wanted you all to see it. Much blood (literally-in the hospital), sweat (literally-at football games and the AFC), and tears (literally-of both sadness and joy) went into earning that very large piece of parchment.

My Best Friend's Wedding

Ahh-- a movie title-- one I've never seen actually. In reality, I just got back (a few days ago) from my childhood best friend, Emily's, wedding. It was such a beautiful occasion, and she looked absolutely stunning the whole weekend. Emily at Patrick got married on St. Augustine Beach in Florida, so I flew down to Jacksonville last Friday for the rehearsal (I was a bridesmaid, after all). When I arrived, I was greeted in the airport by Emily's gorgeous friend from Liberty University, Haley... and my other highschool counterpart, Christen. It was quite an experience to be with Emily and Christen at the same time again! We met up with the blushing bride outside the airport, then traveled down to St. Augustine to meet Patrick and his groomsmen for lunch. We ate at this darling resaurant called Scarlett O'Hara's, which was right up my alley-- most of you know my unfettered love for Gone With the Wind-- and if you don't-- "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!" Afterwards, we had the rehearsal on the beach, showered, and enjoyed a lovely rehearsal dinner complete with a slideshow prepared by the bride. As put best by Haley, "there's just so much emotion--it's gonna get wet." And... it did... I think I started crying during this slideshow, and I'm not sure if I've even stopped yet despite being home for 3 days now. Saturday morning was the BIG DAY, and it went perfectly. I couldn't help but to think of how much Emily and Patrick deserved such a spectacular wedding day. Emily was truly a radiant bride, a tearful Patrick testified to that on many occasions. The weather was wonderful, the dancing fun, and the food unbelievably great! Despite many many tears, I think the couple knew how happy we all were for them. I could not imagine a better husband and wife for one another-- here's a final toast to the new Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Lee Shaw!

Welcome Friends

Well, it's truly amazing you ended up here. Blogs are one of those things that I've always found very intriguing but never quite believed I could master-- you know, just something Hillary Duff did in that movie about finding her mom a date. However, I suppose we can do just about anything we set our minds to. Enjoy!