Christmas 2011 Recap

I sincerely hope that each and every one of you had a fabulous Christmas and made time to remember the reason for the season during your hustling and bustling!  It's time for the annual Chicken Wing Christmas Recap! 

Our weekend started with Comanche's family celebration, where we got together and exchanged gifts and Comanche's older brother prepared cherries jubilee for everyone!  It was amazing to hang out with my soon-to-be in-laws and nephews and watch them interact with CiCi and MuChi, who came along in their Christmas best - a sweater for CiCi and MuChi's famous "I ate Santa's cookies" t-shirt!

Then, it was on to Momma Chicken Wing's house where the Chicken Wing siblings did our annual tradition - we drag Little Brother Chicken Wing's mattress into Little Sister CW's room and we all stay cramped in there and watch Elf as we fall asleep.  Always funny!


pics on Sodahead

The next morning, we opened our family stockings, and this was the very first Christmas for Momma CW's new husband Dubya!  I think he made out like a bandit and had some Christmas fun!  After we all got dressed and ready, we made the trip to Grandma Chicken Wing's house with all of our presents and had one of the most delicious Southern lunches you've ever seen!

On the menu:  turkey, country ham, creamed potatoes, green beans, butter beans, corn pudding, deviled eggs, rolls, fried apples, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, macaroni salad, pumpkin pie, chocolate cake with white icing - it could not be beat, I'm telling you what!

After lunch came the food coma and then we opened gifts, which is always so much fun!  I get way more excited to watch everyone else open their gifts than I do to open mine!  I will say that Comanche did especially well this year!  He knows me better than I know myself sometimes and he gave me two gifts that stood out this year!  The first?  These gorgeous Jessica Simpson flats that I'd been drooling over for weeks:

Bring on the bling!  Your feet should get to sparkle too!

The other gift is one that I will truly cherish forever!  For our wedding next year, there are lots of things that will be classic and traditional (we're not too wacky, y'all!).  One thing that will be a little different is that I didn't want to wear pearls on my wedding day.  I know, I know - call me crazy!  I want to wear blue topaz jewelry since it is my Daddy's birthstone - that way, he can be with me all day even though he can't be there in person!  I had one blue topaz necklace, but it wasn't going to work, so Comanche got me the most perfect and beautiful necklace ever!  Here's the photo of it from the seller:

Isn't it GORGEOUS?!?!?

What I love about it is that I can enjoy this on our wedding day but also any other day!  It is so pretty and in no way is it too gaudy for everyday!  The really cool thing is that blue topaz is also Comanche's birthstone, so it's really special! I think the man did very well this year and I adore him!  (For those of you who wonder how Comanche made out, he did pretty well - I finished off his weight set for him for Christmas and his birthday, which was two days after Christmas)!

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday full of laughs, smiles, and thankfulness!  I am so excited for next Christmas as I expect it will be even better!

Until next time,

If I Were Famous...

I've always found the idea of being famous a little crazy.  It must be totally weird to be followed around and to see your face on the covers of tabloids with lies emblazoned across your chest claiming to know the next "big" thing about you.  It must be hard to date and make true friends.

So, my recent thoughts about being famous are these:  There are a few people that I would LOVE to hang out with/be best friends with should I happen to become famous anytime soon.  List form works for me, so here we go, Peeps!

1.  Anderson Cooper

Hello, Silver Fox!  I love you!

Ahh, Anderson Cooper.  I adore you.  Why?  You are so down-to-earth and hilarious, and I genuinely believe that you care about people.  I feel that you are one of the most honest reporters/hosts that has ever existed, and I really appreciate your passion for good solid journalism.  I love that you cover topics as serious as war and as light-hearted as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  I love that you include your mother, the ever fabulous and classy Gloria Vanderbilt, in your new show and I am so glad to be hearing more from her!  I love that you can laugh at yourself (can we say Gigglegate 2011?).  And you are gorgeous, but this you already know.  If I become famous, let's hang out, mmkay?

2.  William and Kate

Love, sweet love!

These lovebirds need no introduction!  Why do I want to be mates with these two?  I love how charitable they are and how connected they are to the general public.  I have to imagine that being royalty would make that a wee bit hard, but they do a fine job!  I love Kate's sense of style - she is the epitome of class and grace, and I love William's sense of humor!  It appears very clear to me that these two adore each other and are genuinely happy, which is something I believe the world wanted to see.  We all know the difficult journey Princess Diana was on, and I am thrilled to see her son have a bit different path.  I feel that their accents alone could entertain me for days, and therefore, these two make my list!

3.  Tim Tebow

Purrrrr!

Okay, is this guy seriously not the total package?  Good looking - super check!  Smart - check!  Talented - check!  Driven - check!  Good Christian man - you know it!  Role model - check!  I would love to be friends with this guy mostly just to thank him for continually persevering when people try to bring him down. He recently said in an interview that the reason why he was so open with his faith is because due to his success on the football field, he had both, "a platform and a responsibility," and that is nothing if not admirable.  We need more solid men like Tim in the world who get what's important.  He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and values that are important to him.  I am down with that, so let's be friends, Tebow!

So that's my short list for now, folks!  What famous people would you want to be friends with if you had the opportunity?

Until next time,

New Sounds of Christmas

It seems that life has been a whirlwind lately, and I am halfway getting excited about Christmas. Don't get me wrong - Christmas is my very favorite holiday, followed directly by Thanksgiving.  This year has just been a weird year for me as far as the holidays are concerned.

The main reason is that the lease on my townhouse is up right after the holidays are over, and while I would LOVE to pull out all of my Christmas decorations (and they are plentiful), I have to be realistic and be okay with the fact that it would make a whole lot more sense to pack up the rest my things than upack a million ornaments just to put them back again.

So, while I don't get to have my wonderful full-sized tree this year, Comanche and I did finally get a tree - even though it looks like it may be.....um, of the "Charlie Brown Pine" variety?

Oh well, it looks great on my table and we can plant it!

Either way, one thing that really does help my spirit during this stressful packing time is the music that you usually only get to hear this time of year!  Check these out, y'all!  Maybe you'll even discover a new Christmas hit to add to your playlists!

Be Born In Me - Francesca Battistelli

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A Baby Changes Everything - Faith Hill

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Mary's Boy Child - TobyMac ft. Jamie Grace

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Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

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Until next time,

Hello? And Happy Birthday!

Get it?

Wow - if I had a nickel for every time I took a second to realize how quickly time is flying by, I would be a very wealthy Chicken Wing!  I've recently discovered that Christmas has decided not to wait for me to be ready, and I really need to put the other million things going on in my life aside and devote some attention to getting ready for the holidays!

I greatly apologize for the lack of posting here lately - I'm still working on this whole promotion at work/planning a wedding/couponing/being addicted to the facebook online yard sale balancing act, and to be very candid, I'm not doing very well at it!  I mean, I'm being successful at most of these things, but it's definitely hard to keep my blogging up to date with all of that going on!

Oh, you thought that was it?  NO SIR/NO MA'AM!  There's more, but that will have to wait for a future post because truthfully, that deserves a post all its own!

Today's post needs to center around one of the greatest guys I've ever known.  I haven't seen him in a long time - almost seventeen years, to be exact - but today is his birthday, and he deserves my undivided attention.

I have really big feet and ears for a little Wing, but my Daddy sure looks handsome!

This guy...is my Daddy.  December 5th usually involves many emotions for me, but I'm finding that this year, I have had a little bit of an easier time because I literally have been so darn busy, I basically turn into a vegetable in my spare time.  It doesn't leave a whole lot of room for grief.

When I prayed him a Happy Birthday today, I told him that I hoped he was getting in lots of golfing, hunting, fishing, and that he was getting to watch a lot of the Redskins and Tar Heels games. 

I told him that I hoped he had the basket of rolled-up socks next to his recliner in heaven so he could chunk socks at the TV every time the Redskins made him mad (which unfortunately, has probably been happening a lot).  I told him that I hoped he was still singing ever-so-off-key but as loudly and proudly as he ever did.  (I used to love listening to him forget the words and instantly improve most songs by inserting his own noises or lyrics).

I told him how much I loved him and missed him and how I still think of him every.single.day.  I told him not to be mad at me because I've been getting so emotional every time I tell someone how sad I'm going to be at my wedding since he won't be there to meet Comanche, ease my nerves, walk me down the aisle, or share our special father-daughter dance.

I told him to keep watching out for our family and to keep an eye on Little Sister Chicken Wing and Little Brother Chicken Wing.  I told him to take care of some wonderful people I know that have lost their lives recently.  I told him to show them the ropes and teach them how things go in heaven.  I told him to hug my PaPa and cousins and friends for me and to remind them how much I love and miss them, too.

Finally, I told him, "Thank You."  I thanked him for teaching me things to do, things not to do, and for showing up now and then to remind me he's still watching.  I thanked him for instilling in me the importance of going to church and working on my relationship with God (even though I was quite lost in that department for a very long time).  I thanked him for marrying my mom and giving me my siblings, and for letting me keep one of the puppies that would eventually become one of my very favorite dogs.  I thanked him for just being him.

So here's to you, Daddy.  I will always be your little girl.  I will always remember you as one of the best guys I ever met.  I will never forget the legacies you left behind and I will never stop aspiring to take your best qualities and make them my own.  I miss you.  I love you. 

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Until next time,

Vocalism At Its Best

If you are a fairly regular reader, you know that there is a major fan of dance reality shows around these parts.  You may also know that music is something that absolutely rocks my face off, and I just have such a surpreme appreciation for the arts.  Music moves me, inspires me, motivates me, and overall just makes my life better!

So, I'm not sure if you are aware but there are just as many awesome singing reality shows on TV right now as there are dancing shows (like one of my faves, Dancing With The Stars - GO J.R. MARTINEZ!!!).  One show that really highlights amazing vocal ability is The Sing Off.  I've taken quite the liking to this show since the amazing vocal group "Committed" won last season!  What I love the most about the show is that the vocalists are responsible not only for singing the lyrics but also the musical parts too!  Seriously - there is such as thing as a vocal percussionist!  (Making drums and bass-lines with your voice).  Since I'm in a giving mood, I thought I'd blow your mind with some ridiculous vocals!

Enjoy and turn up those speakers - prepare to be amazed!!!

First up is all-girl group Delilah with their rendition of Lil' Wayne's "How To Love."

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Next up is last season's Committed with Maroon 5's "This Love."

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Finally, enjoy these two selections by The Pentatonix! They're on this season of The Sing Off and they are phenomenal!

First up is their rendition of some famous Britney Spears songs!

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Last but absolutely not least is my favorite performance of the season, Kanye West's "Love Lockdown," and I will let you see the judges' reactions because they're awesome!

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If that doesn't get your feet tapping and your hands clapping, I really don't know what will. I got so pumped up after watching that last performance especially - I feel like you just have to give it up for talent like that! They're my pick to win this season! Enjoy, Peeps!

Until next time,

I Feel Like Being Inspired

If you are like me, you know that sometimes you get so stressed out in life that you forget what it feels like to be inspired.  It's easy to get down or to feel so worn out that you need a little extra push to get you moving!

 
Since I feel like being inspired, I want to inspire all of you!  I saw the first video re-circulating on facebook, so I wanted to share it here.  These stories remind us that everyone can make it in this world - we all have a chance to achieve greatness.  We just have to keep trying...keep persevering!

So here's to you, Peeps!  Here's to me!  Here's to being inspired by greatness!  Let's go change the world!


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If you are crying after these, I am sorry.  Actually, I'm not.  Stories like these move people - they are designed to bring you to a new level and to make you aspire to be more than you are. That is the purpose, and I hope we each take the opportunity to be more like J-Mac or Team Hoyt today and every day.

Until next time,

Just In Case You Want To Follow Along

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I've never ever wanted to be one of "those people."  You know the kind - their conversation consists of one thing, and it's always the same old thing.  It's not that you don't care about their kids' neverending sagas or their parents being crazy.  It's not that you wish any ill-will on their big special day or their impending baby - it's just that it's hard sometimes to get just as excited as they do when you're not in the same situation. 

I want to be clear - I don't get aggravated with people who do this because I've done it myself from time to time.  I just decided that I'd like to set a goal for myself and that goal is this:  I don't want to force my wedding day to be the most important day of everybody's lives.  Yes, it will be the most important day of my life.  Yes, planning is stressful.  Yes, it's a big.freaking.deal.  But, people have other things going on, so my personal policy for all of my readers is this:  if you want to know about my wedding, ask me what's going on with the planning.  If you don't, that's cool too. 

This brings me to my latest struggle - I've been wanting to journal my journey of sorts down the aisle, and I wasn't sure how to accomplish this.  Originally, I thought I'd just write about the big day here, but then I realized that there are some folks who probably aren't that interested in weddings, so I didn't want to alienate anyone who chooses to read my blog.  Yes, I could argue that it is my blog and I can do what I want - rest assured, this is true - but I try to be courteous and respectful in my everyday life and my blog is an extension of that.

So, what's the solution?  For me, it was to create a wedding planning blog where I can write about the excitement and joy and frustration and pain that will go into my journey.  That way, if you want to read about it, you can, but you're not bombarded with it here!  Plus, I thought it would be a better way to keep it all seperate and organized so when I want to revisit it, I can do so.  Without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to my wedding planning blog:

If you would like to check out With This Wing, you can visit my page by clicking HERE.

*Disclaimer: I chose not to continue anonymity on With This Wing because it is really hard to do, and my family wants to read about the wedding.  So, if you choose to stalk me or my man, I will hunt you down.  You've been warned.  ;) 

Until next time,

When Tragedy Strikes...Pray

I know there are some of you who saw the title to this post and had to have assumed it was going to be about my Redskins losing to the daggum Eagles.  Trust me, there was some major praying after the horrific event that was today's game.  I really wish things had gone another way, but this post is of a much more serious nature.

I don't know if you guys saw this in the news today, but I felt compelled to share.  I may be a girl who loves to watch a lot of different things on television, though racing is not one of them.  But, I am a girl who has experienced the death of someone very close to me because of a car accident and in a very unfortunate series of events, another family is having to deal with that situation on this very day.


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Today, during his "normal" workday in an Indy car race in Las Vegas, 33-year-old British driver Dan Wheldon was involved in a 15-car pileup that ultimately resulted in his passing.  In the video clip above, Dan's car was the one that went airborne.  He is survived by an industry and all of his colleagues, as well as his wife, Susie, and his two sons - Sebastian (2) and Oliver (7 months).  It will indefinitely be a very difficult road for all of them, especially since it was an accident that occurred on television and will most certainly be replayed hundreds of times in the coming weeks.

This tragedy had not yet happened when I left church this morning, but being as this is a Sunday and faith is needed when times are hard, I felt it might be good to ask for a massive prayer request for this family.  I ask each of you to include them in your prayer list as their hearts and minds are full of sorrow and grief today.  I hope the video clip inspires you to dig down deep and hug the ones close to you - you never know when a normal day could go horribly wrong.

In the spirit of faith, here is a Song of Sunday to get your minds right for the coming week - it definitely did that for me today, and it was the first time we sang this at our church.  I was very impressed with the message and felt it was ultimately fitting after today's events.

Here is "Never Once" by Matt Redman.


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Until next time,

In Case You Need Uplifting

Just to start your week off in the right fashion, I thought I'd share my favorite of the songs we sang at church yesterday.  It truly does have a powerful message, and sometimes, I find that is exactly what you need to cleanse your mind and heart in order to start a brand new week.

I found this song especially moving, simply because I've been so incredibly busy lately.  I've found it very difficult to just stop and slow down for a minute.  Don't get me wrong - I love being busy.  It beats the alternative any day of the week, but one thing I constantly struggle with is balance.  I need to continually practice the balancing act that is life.  You are supposed to work hard, but you also need to take time to relish in the moments life presents to you, and that's something I need to be better about.

So, to those of you who are like me, and forget the simple truth about who gives you the strength to handle all of life's challenges, and through whose teachings you can learn to find balance, this song's for you.  Happy Monday, everyone!


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Until next time,

SURPRISE! It's Friday!

And thus, you must enjoy this hilarious and adorable video.  Go on.  Do it.  Turn your speakers up a wee bit.  You.are.welcome.


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Happy Weekend, Peeps!

Until next time,

A Step In The Right Direction

Hello, Peeps.  I'm Miss Chicken Wing.  You might remember me as someone who used to write regularly on this blog.  No, I haven't been kidnapped.  I've had so much going on in my life recently, and I am so excited to tell you guys all about it!  I apologize that it's taken me this long to get back to the happy place that is my blog, but sometimes a little vacation is necessary, you know?  Not to mention, I have just gotten started planning what is sure to be one of the very best days of my life so far - the day I get to marry Comanche!  People who have been there know how busy that can be!

Getting engaged is not the only new and awesome thing that I count in my blessings list, though!  Hold on to your hats, y'all - there's more!  The first thing I want to catch you all up on gets its own post on the blog, and is something that I'm now allowed to go public with!  I recently got a PROMOTION!!!!!  WOO TO THE HOO!!!!!!



It's true.  Believe it.

 Pause for a moment - who doesn't love Ron Burgundy, right?!?!  Okay, back to the actual subject matter. I am so excited because it's really a step in the right direction as far as my career goes, and I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to grow within my amazing company. 

For those who know me, they know how protective I am about my job(s) and my company - I will go to the mat any day for the people I work for and with.  I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization, and I genuinely work with some of the best people I know.  Other people may make more money or have fancier offices, but I can guarantee that most people can't say that they like everyone they work with.  I can, and that's a big deal to me.

So, while I've been away from the blog, I have been working on the transition between my current position and my new one.  In my new position, I will have an even greater chance to help people, which is my passion, after all.  It's a little scary jumping into the somewhat unknown, but I've found that most of the things in my life that have scared me have ended up being the ones most worth it.

Here's to the newest journey on my crazy ride!

Until next time,

Songs of Sunday - Special Edition

9/11 - We will never forget...

I still remember where I was ten years ago today.  I was a high school student standing in the student lounge of our local community college with my friends in Governor's School.  We were huddled together watching the tragic events of the morning unfolding on the televisions there.  We stood in silence - in disbelief - most of us with our hands on our heads or on our mouths.  The horror pumped through all of our veins as our heart rates increased with each passing moment.

With those memories in mind, it was appropriate that the ten year anniversary of 9/11 fell on a Sunday.  In church today, we had a wonderful tribute and we lifted the victims' families and friends up in prayer together and individually.  We sang songs about reaching out to complete strangers because Christ's compassion doesn't play favorites - about expanding our scopes to include all the people of the world as our neighbors.

I've been pretty busy the past week, but I wanted to share a couple of the songs that we sang in church today to get your week started off right.

Matthew West - My Own Little World

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Matt Redman - We Could Change The World

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It's been an amazing albeit bittersweet day for me - Comanche and I have been hanging out with friends watching football (my Redskins and his Cowboys - I know, it's insanity), eating steaks we grilled, and having fellowship with our church family.  We know how lucky we are and therefore, we must continue to be mindful of those folks who are hurting today.  If you can spare five minutes, lift them up, everyone!  It'll be worth it!

Until next time,

You Gotta Keep Em Separated

"Hey, man you talkin back to me?
Take him out,
You gotta keep em separated...."

Okay, okay, flashing back to 1994 when The Offspring first released that song (with the ever-catchy surfer instrumental) isn't actually the point of this post.  Not even close, to be honest.  But, the main theme that was repeated throughout that song was, "You Gotta Keep Em Separated," and that theme ties perfectly in with the ever-important topic that I will cover with you today.

I once referenced HERE that Comanche had made a certain sandwich "just the way I like it."  That sandwich was none other than the all-American classic - peanut butter and jelly!

Enter music montage. Go on, watch it.


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Okay, enough with the nonsense - back to the matter at hand.  In my book, there is only one correct way to make a PB&J and I wanted to impart my wisdom on the masses.  It is imperative that you all know what is the right way and what is the wrong way.  Here goes nothing...

Step One.  Always start with the jelly.

Grape is my jelly of choice.

Step One, complete.

Step Two.  Rinse off your knife.

Seriously. Don't miss Step Two.

Step Three.  Peanut butter application.

Don't worry, PB!  You get your turn!

Clean rim = clean soul.

Step Four.  Thank your audience for watching you do the correct PB&J-making method.  (Please note that they are the primary reason why you start with the jelly and then move to the good stuff).

Yeah, it was a full house that day - my kids had friends over.

The peanut butter party has started.

Step Five.  Press each side together in a "folded over" fashion.  I call them "peanut butter and jelly folded overs."

See?  Folded overs!

Step Six.  Locate PB&J Party Fouls.

Uh uh.  Not cool.  My skin is literally crawling.  Ew.

Step Seven.  Show your obvious disdain for the situation.

Step Eight.  The final step.  Hunt the offenders and make them pay.

In the wise words of Liam Neeson, "I will find you and I will kill you."

There you have it, folks.  This has been a valuable life lesson from me to you.  You are welcome.

Until next time,

THE HAPPIEST POST OF MY LIFE

Okay, there is going to be limited verbiage.  I'm going to let the video and the pictures do the talking.

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So, I will apologize for the fact that I look absolutely HORRID in this video - I had bawled my face off with sheer bliss and makeup reapplication apparently never occurred to me.  For that, I am truly sorry, but I guess it can be forgiven since I was clearly high on love while this video was filmed!

So, needless to say, last night was amazing and I am greatly looking forward to spending THE.REST.OF.MY.LIFE with this man, and I am absolutely the LUCKIEST girl I know! 

He could have any woman in the world that he wanted.  Even as the ring sits on my finger, I still can't believe he chose me.

Okay, okay, you didn't think I would actually leave you hanging without seeing the most incredibly amazing gorgeous drool-worthy insane beautiful ring in the whole wide world, did you?  Come on, now, you know I'm not that mean. 

What do I love about this ring?

Let's do this in list form, because we all know that's how I roll.

1.  It was chosen by Comanche with absolutely no guidance from me or anyone else.  (Dang, he did good!)

2.  It really reflects my sassy, sentimental, and girly personality.

3.  Comanche used what I call the "lucky stone."  The lucky stone is the diamond that my darling PaPa (whom I lost last year to Alzheimer's) gave to my Grandma.  He picked it out for her, and she wore it for my whole life.  They were married for almost 59 years!  Also, the diamond once fell out of her setting when she was at a craft fair, and she didn't realize it until she got home.  After calling them frantically, she asked if she could take all of their trash home (hoping and praying that someone had swept it up).  After going through industrial-sized bag after industrial-sized bag, she found her diamond.  In the bottom.  Of the very.last.bag.  So, I call it the lucky stone, and I was honored and privileged to have her want to pass it along to me!

4.  It was designed by a pro.  Seriously.  You may know this guy:


Neil Lane, meet my peeps.  Peeps, meet Neil Lane.

 5.  Most important reason ever - because my Comanche gave it to me as a symbol of the fact that he wants me to be his wife.  There is no greater honor that I've ever achieved and I am so incredibly blessed to call him my future husband.  If he would have given me a bread tie or a popsicle stick, I would have been just as thrilled because the symbolism would have been the same.  I will say that this symbol is amazing, though, and I find that I will need to invest in more sunglasses.  ;) 

I love this man, I love this man, I love this man.

Until next time,