Delightful Dinner Date with a Dear Friend

I love getting to just be with someone I enjoy and talking with them.  On Tuesday I had the pleasure of sharing a meal and conversation with my friend Lori.  We met at a favorite restaurant a little before 6:30 and did not look at the time again until it was 9 and they were beginning to clean up around us.  What a wonderful, joy-filled time it was!  She is one of my dearest friends despite the difficult time we often have connecting with our busy schedules.  It is always amazing to me how we can go weeks or months without talking, but as soon as we are together we pick right up where we left off and not just in surface level things...I'm talking real conversation about life and happenings, how we feel about what's coming, what God's been teaching us, etc.  What a joy and a blessing her friendship has been and continues to be!

Lori and I met as campers when we were probably going into 5th or 6th grade.  We then reunited as counselors at the same camp.  We worked there for three years together and have been good friends throughout the whole time.  Right now we are both in the process of planning our weddings and preparing to move out of our parents' homes again.  It was so nice to share thoughts and excitement over these coming transitions.  It is fun to think back to all of the conversations we have had in the past about this time in our lives and how we get to share in it together now.  Lori was going to be one of my guestbook attendants at our wedding, but she will be unable to be there because she is moving to Arizona in a few weeks and will be getting married the same day as Michael and I (great minds think alike!)  We so wish they could have been at our wedding, but with distance it wouldn't have been feasible and they need to do what works best for them and their families.  We are very happy to have them as wedding buddies!  

In closing, here are some of the things I love most about Lori:

• Her love for Jesus and strong convictions to honor Him with her life. 
• Her encouraging smile and joyful laugh.  
• Her genuine and open conversation.  
• Her friendly hugs.  
• How I feel like she really gets me/how we connect.  
• Her friendship and support.  

There are certainly other things I could add, but those stand out the most.  I thank the Lord for her often and am so very excited for she and her fiancé, Rupert.  He truly has struck gold with her.  

Double Spring Break!

What a wonderful last two weeks I have had.  God blessed Michael and I with spring breaks that did not line up.  Upon first learning this I was most disappointed, but it proved to be a delightful gift.  Because our breaks were back-to-back, Michael and I were able to spend not one, but two straight weeks together!  We haven't had this kind of time together since December and won't again until June when we are married.  My break came first so I went up to Minnesota on Monday the 12th and then we both drove down to my house that Saturday and he stayed through today!   I wanted to take some time to share some of the blessings these last two weeks have held :) 

• While Michael was at class and work during my week in Minnesota, I got to spend a lot of quality time with his sister-in-law Claire and the three kids.  What fun!  I loved every minute of my time spent with them :)  We went to the park, had picnics, and played at home.  I am so excited to officially become a sister-in-law and aunt!  
• Michael and I got to have marriage counseling again!  I am so very thankful for the sessions we have been able to have.  Our pastor has done a wonderful job bringing up topics and allowing us to dialogue about different things with him and to continue these thoughts and conversations as we leave.  It is so good to be preparing for marriage and not merely a wedding!
• While Michael was trying to do homework, I was also able to spend some time with a few different friends that I haven't been able to see much of lately.  It was so refreshing to get to spend some time with them catching up.  It will be nice when we all live in the same area again and will be able to see more of one another. 
• I loved just getting to be with Michael even if it was just him working on school stuff while I folded paper lilies :)  
• Last Sunday when Michael was at our house, we went out to eat with my mom's side of the family.  It was fun for him to interact with them again and to spend some time together that way.  
• Michael woke up early and came to exercise class with mom and me one morning--what a trooper :)  
• We did A TON of wedding planning!  Invitations, food, centerpieces,  etc.  I feel like we covered a lot of ground and will have no problem finishing the rest of the details apart (only 83 more days!)
• We took Sam to play at the park one day and had a blast!  
• We began watching a new show called Downton Abbey and are both really enjoying it so far!
• Friday night we went out on a little date and then came home to make puppy chow for the fam (we make some good chow!)
• Saturday was spent just relaxing during the day, we went to Hunger Games with my family and Grandma Diane in the late afternoon (really enjoyed it) and then my sisters, Sarah, Michael, and I went to the Ben Rector and Needtobreath concert that night.  It was a busy day, but so fun!  I love how Michael fits right in with my family :)  

I could go on and share many other things we were able to do and the countless things we laughed over, but I will leave it as it is.  Ah, I am so very thankful God gave us that time together.  I get to see him again in 19 days and then we will have two more visits before the big day!  God is good and to be praised!

Ready to drive to Iowa on St. Patrick's Day!

Date Time!

Handsome driver

At the concert

Sisters and Sarah :)

He thought the camera was loving him :)

I marry this guy in 87 days! ♥