My honey comes to town!

Remember this girl?

My very special office-mate for many years,

she was back in town for a very special event:

Dissertation Defense.

We welcomed her back into our lives with a lovely dinner given by our advisor and friend

and her lovely husband in their lovely home .

And then, when the defense was over and the 'Dr.' was distributed,

we took her to lunch

at the very applicable (and very beautiful) Nittany Lion Inn.

I was very proud.

Later that week I took her to Otto's, 

to continue the celebration and to get a update on the details of life, since I had her to myself.  [Details of life used to be a part of our every day office material, so we were in withdrawal...]

Later that week we met up with our dear Dr. Darrin,

for more of that catching up, and being together, with American food. 

When her visit was over, I took her to the airport,
with resigned sadness:

Her life as a Dr. is stepping into the next phase, and for this I rejoice.  But, having her around is balm for my soul, our time together is always full of easy understanding and belly laughs, and Taiwan is far away.

I miss you already honey,
and was so glad to celebrate you and all of your hard work!

And then a beautiful wedding.

On a wedding morning, there are many details to be taken care of.  First and foremost, there's breakfast to think of, which is how my day began:  At Wegman's with a cart full of bagels and coffee.

I arrived on location just as the bridal car arrived,
and we got down to business.

Sarah, our friend & spectacular stylist arrived and sat me down,

for a good chat and a bit of important work.

The matron of honor prepared her toast,

Amanda steamed our attire,

 the bride wrote thanks to those participating in her day.

But business was not all that we were there for.
It was, after all, a day of celebration.
With time long and luxurious,

 we celebrated friendship

both long and long-term.

We celebrated the excitement of the occasion, with joyful leaping:

[Part 1]

[Part 2]

[Part 3]

The men celebrated too,

especially that the work they'd been put to all morning was over,

and that the groom is so charming.

But as the day drew on, the details were dealt with, and the quality of our anticipation changed from preparation into expectancy.

 The room was set,

 the groom was dressed,

I was dressed,

the men were dressed.

 Shortly thereafter,
the bride received a love note from her waiting groom,

and wrote him back with a grin on her face and peace in her heart.

 With joyful step, I carried said note

and delivered it to its intended as the men got themselves photographed in honor of the event.

 [Lookin' good men, lookin' good.]

 I returned to the ladies quarters, and found the cutest flower girls, ready to go.

The bride was almost there too,

and we oohed and aahed her because we knew:

Beautiful she was, beautiful she is.

And so, the wedding began.

 We processed toward the groom, our hearts glowing with love for the man who has caused our Amy's heart to sing,

 and took our places.
We watched as he wept so sweetly,

as his beautiful bride approached.

 We smiled, wiping away our tears,

 as these two friends committed for life: I do.

And then?
We hooted and hollered at the man and his wife,

 we laughed and rejoiced,

as we followed in their wake.

Then, time to party:

 There was dancing,

 fun and free.

There was dinner,

 and quality time

 with new friends

and old.

There were special bonding moments with the bride,

including a very tiny bathroom, a very voluminous dress, a brief excursion skating across the barn floor on a rather long and slippery train,

and her man.

And then there was the sending off,

 into the night,

 as Mr. & Mrs. 'til death do them part.

A beautiful couple,

a beautiful day, a beautiful moment to be a part of,
a beautiful friendship to continue to unfold.