waltz across texas

i mean... just look at them.

Picture this:

A giant front porch with white columns in front of a beautiful Texas home.  An old barn to the right and a lake surrounded by white lantern lights to your left.  The bridesmaids and groomsmen are making their way from the back of the house to the big front porch and facing all who have gathered to witness this lovely union.

All of a sudden, the music stops.  A soft violin begins to play Love Never Fails... "Where is the Bride?"  You are wondering when and where she'll make her entrance when you begin to hear the gravel loosen behind you.  From the old barn comes a antique black pick-up truck.. probably 1965... shiny as ever.  As it approaches, you see the father of the bride behind the steering wheel... perhaps a tear glistening in his eye as he looks to his right to see his baby girl in her white dress... riding in the passenger seat... how its always been...  The truck stops, the father steps from the truck and opens the door for his daughter (dressed in Vera Wang might I add) and together, they walk down an aisle of rose petals toward their front porch where he will give her away. 

YES.  THIS WAS CALLIE'S WEDDING.  Not only was the processional the most beautiful thing I've ever seen (thank goodness I had on sunglasses), but the recessional was to a lovely symphonic version of the BEATLES All You Need is Love.  Callie, girlfriend, you did it right.

Firefly sweet tea served in mason jars, a tent bigger than the circus, and a band that played until we could dance no more....   and not to mention, the nicest portable bathroom's I've EVER seen.  The Hotty Toddy Potties in the Grove need an update.

But best of all was the beauty and RADIANCE that glowed from the bride as she was given to her groom. Callie, you were the most beautiful bride.... and no, not because you were in a drop dead gorgeous Vera Wang gown, but because you exemplify the beauty of Christ's love every day.  I cannot wait to see how he uses both you and Cason in this lovely union.

Oh, and just a side note...

I. LOVE. TEXAS.
... but more on that later.

HART

I'm one of those girls.

I love flowers. love love love flowers.  They MAKE a room, brighten a mood, and are the perfect example of natural beauty. I am even known to buy them for myself.   Some girls don't prefer them, but there are those girls who do adore them.  And I... am one of those girls.

Here comes the sun

and I said... it's alright. 

I'm refraining from writing a long-winded, emotional post about my weekend.  It really  hasn't set in that I just graduated from college- mainly because I'm going right back in a few months.  However, getting an invitation to join the Alumni Association may have started quite an afternoon of reminiscing.  I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that the place I will be returning to as a grad student will not be the same place- Ole Miss is the people who make it up.

Was it really that long ago that I started my Freshman year ready to "conquer the world with joy, love, and cameras?" (said best by Ainsley).

Ainsley actually has a wonderful graduation count down at Fromainsleywithlove.blogspot.com.
I really do have to stop.  I could have a complete separate blog that would take me four years to complete   if I wanted to truly recount my college experience.  I may save that for all of my "free time" I'll have this summer...

On a cheerful note, my mother gave me a new camera for graduation... I'll be posting some fun from it soon!

Hope everyone had a Happy Graduation and loved on your mom!

Hart