Wedding Weekend

Good morning, girls! As you already know this past weekend I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in one of my best friend’s wedding. It was a whirlwind of a weekend as I traveled to Tallahassee, Florida (my hometown) last Thursday and turned around to Tennessee on Sunday morning. Although I don’t have high quality photos I wanted to share with you what I do have to give you a glimpse into this crazy wonderful weekend…

Rehearsing…I’m on the far left.

The bride and her father.

Excitement for the rehearsal dinner!

Almost all the girls…missing one of Janice’s sisters.

Part of our bridesmaids’ gifts!

Sleepover! We all slept in one bed. I’m on the far left…

Staring the morning off right! This photo brings back so many memories of breakfasts and dinners in this kitchen during sleepovers growing up…love it.

Hello fresh morning faces and coffee!

While waiting for our turn in the make up chair at the salon…

Getting hair and make up done at the salon.

Minutes before the ceremony…

Right before she changed into THE dress…she was GORGEOUS.

First kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Touchton.

With all the groomsmen. This just makes me smile.

The only photo I have so far of the wedding party taken with someone’s iPhone…I’m the third one from Janice (the bride).

I had the absolute sweetest time getting to stand by Janice as she married her best friend. I adored seeing his massive smile as she walked down the aisle and her father cry as he gave her away. I shed a few tears as they exchanged their vows they had written. I smiled when he tenderly kissed her for the first time as husband and wife. I loved seeing them walk out as Mr. and Mrs. It was just too wonderful!

Then the reception started…it was the best. I cried again when her father gave his toast (he broke down at the very start) and Janice danced with her father and new husband. I had so much fun dancing when the music started to play for everyone to join. I danced with the other bridesmaids as we constantly had to pull up our long dresses for more mobility. It was definitely worth it though! I also got to “swing dance” with one of the groomsmen! We all filled the dance floor until it was time to send Janice and Stuart off on their honeymoon…

I just can’t put into words how much I adored this weekend.

I'm a Bridesmaid.

My heart is dancing with happiness because of this sweet card I received in the mail over the weekend. I’m going to have the privilege to stand beside one of my best friends on her wedding day! Janice and I met in our sixth grade gym class and our friendship was meant to be. I remember sitting on the bleachers and starting a conversation about our matching cell phone cases {we were cool like that}. We became fast friends and grew together throughout those awkward years. We made it through braces, crushes, and funny clothes. Nearly all of my middle school memories involve Janice!

As we started high school together, God got a hold of our hearts at the same time. We both started to hunger for intimacy and relationship with the Father. We were able to encourage each other to pursue Him like we never had before. I can honestly say that God used our friendship to change my heart. We had a strong friendship before, but it became so much sweeter as the Lord became the center of it.

Not long after, the two of us started to learn about God scripted love stories. The thought that God wanted to script our love stories was revolutionary to us! Eric and Leslie Ludy’s When God Writes Your Love Story completely transformed our outlooks on romance. We started to talk about surrendering our future love stories to the Lord as we dreamed about the mighty men of God that would one day win our hearts. Together, we decided to trust God to script our love stories in His timing and His way. It’s a decision neither of us will ever regret!

Although, I’m still waiting for the Lord to script mine, I’ve had the joy of watching Janice grow in love. I remember going on a LONG walk with her before she started dating her guy and talking about her growing feelings. I’m so proud that she guarded her heart and waited on him to initiate the relationship. He has pursued and won her heart ever since! I know that the Lord is the center of their sweet relationship and that He will use them to impact the Kingdom together.

My heart topples over with joy when I think back to that decision we made to surrender our love stories to God! She assures me that it’s worth the wait and SO much more beautiful than she imagined.

Our friendship has withstood time and distance and I’m grateful for her faithfulness in my life. Janice is a red-headed beauty with such a tender heart for God. She has the kindest heart and an infectious laugh. We truly are kindred spirits and I can’t wait to stand by my sweet sister in Christ as she transitions into the newest season of her life!

Here are a few photos from a road trip we took together two summers ago...