A Moment in Time

A recent warm evening found us enjoying the summertime. Jesse had a blanket spread out on the grass for us to just relax and enjoy the evening quiet surrounding us. Fresh summer fruit--black cherries, black raspberries, and strawberries--provided a sweet, juicy snack. And as the sun went down, we chatted--catching up on inconsequential things that had happened recently; sharing random ideas and thoughts that struck us as interesting or funny; brainstorming possibilities for the wedding and honeymoon; and dreaming of a house of our own.

Eventually, the bugs came out and chased us back indoors. But for a moment in time, there was just us.

Engagements

There are so many ways that I get reminded how great Jesse is to me! Lately, I've been reminded about how good he is in agreeing to a 7 month engagement!

Two other couples we know have gotten engaged after us and are planning weddings before us. One couple got engaged the first week of June and are planning a late August wedding (just shy of a 3-month engagement). Another couple got engaged at the beginning of July and are planning a mid-October wedding (3.5 month engagement).

When I hear of these short engagements, it just makes our engagement seem that much longer. But I'm enjoying the planning, the preparations, and the anticipation (at least most days). Hopefully I'll be able to maintain the stress-free attitude with less than three months to go!

Update. Just thought I'd add to the list of current short engagements: a couple I've met, but don't know well, are in the midst of planning their wedding--getting married just six weeks after they announced their engagement.

Happy Independence Day!

My family has a reunion in Kansas this weekend. As I'm not going to be there and am now engaged, they were asking for pictures. So, Saturday, Jesse, Jer, and I headed out and got a few pictures taken. I meant to get them in the mail on Monday, but missed that. Since yesterday was a holiday, I'll get them in the mail today and hope they make it.

With Independence Day this week, Jesse and I are getting a bit of extra time together. So sweet, after all the travel earlier in the summer.

Sunday evening, we made it to Shenandoah University's performance of 42nd street. A musical that is song-and-dance heavy. Most of the dance is tap--close enough to clogging that it made it fun for us to watch and think about the challenges that went into the choreography and performances.

Monday evening was a clogging performance in Lovettsville for their celebrations. The performance went well. We both had a couple of songs that we performed for the first time. That always adds a notch of anticipation and energy to a performance. The evening was on the warm side, but very comfortable--as long as you weren't doing much. Clogging was hot with very little breeze. After our performance, they had a limbo contest and a hoola-hoop contest. Jesse was the runner-up in the hoola-hoop contest against teens! About 9:30, they shot off their fireworks display. We found a place with some of the other cloggers for a good advantage point for the display.

Tuesday, we had a clogging performance at 1:00 for the Pride of Purcellville celebration. That was a very hot performance. Fortunately, we had shade. But after the performance, it was home to recover in the AC and ended up taking a nap.

In the evening, Jesse and I headed over to Franklin Park to catch the community fireworks there. By the time we arrived, it was definitely getting dark. We knew that our pastor and his family were there, but we didn't know where they were in all the crowds. So, we gave a guess and started walking. While we were searching, we encountered a PHC/clogging family and stopped to chat for a few minutes. Very enjoyable, but made it that much darker as we continued our search for the pastor's family. By some coincidence or miracle, we did find them as we were wandering through the crowds. We enjoyed another good fireworks display and some good conversation as we waited with the family for the traffic to clear out after the display.

Tonight, the usual Wednesday evening church activities have been canceled. Jesse and I expect to have another evening together to just relax and enjoy the time.