Showered with Blessings & Love

This weekend I was very, very, very blessed.  Six of the loveliest ladies I know organized a shower for me here in Bowling Green.  So many wonderful women came out to honor and love me.  Even my mom drove all the way from Florida to be here for the occasion!  All I have to say is:  I am loved!

Aside from being showered with so many wonderful blessings for my next stage of life, I was treated to a wonderful garden-esque party surrounded by beautiful women and girls whom I adore.  The weather cooperated beautifully with the sun shining, and a cool breeze.  It was such a lovely, girly, fun event!

  

 

 

 

1. Yummy Yummy Taco Bar
2. Fresh Fruit + Cheesecake Factory = Scrumptious Desserts
3.  Drink Station
4.  Yum!
5.  Pretty Pretty Ladies
6.  Matron and Maid of Honor.  Love Them!
7.  Words of Wisdom
8.  Jars and Vases housing Daisies
9.  Weird & Wonderful = New Name on a Beautiful New Plate
10. Quaint Decorations and Presents
11.  Laughing with Mom
12.  Wonderful Attendees
13.  Love my Mom!
14.  A Game filled with Trivia and Laughter
15.  Dislike Being Center of Attention, But Everyone Was So Sweet!

The Most Loveliest Hosts:

Alli
She happens to be my Maid of Honor, and I fell in love with her almost instantly when arriving to Bowling Green.  She's the best basketball player you can ever care to meet.  And a true friend.  In a lot of ways we did quite a bit of "maturing" together and have learned a few of those life-changing-lessons side by side. I will love her forever.

Michelle
Not only has she allowed me to reside in her house over the past couple months, but she has always loved me deeply.  She has an affinity for Disney that I didn't even know was possible. She really, really loves her some Disney.  She cares so much for all of those around her, and has one of the most amazing families I know. 

Lauren
If I could hand select a younger sister for myself, it would be her.  Since this is impossible, I'll just pretend we're related, and have her be a bridesmaid in my wedding.  She's too witty for her own good, and makes me laugh more than I should.  Also, we went to a Taylor Swift Concert together once.  I'm convinced we're bound in some sisterhood pact because of that.  

Karan
 The lovely lady who opened her beautiful home for the whole shindig, and also the spunkiest person in the world. No really, the term "spunky" doesn't do her justice.  She's simply delightful. I hope to have half of her energy when I get as young as her! She is determined, lovely, intelligent, and wonderful.  She supports me and loves me through and through.

Cara
My wonderful Matron of Honor.  She is single-handily the sweetest person I have ever met.  Her love for God is contagious, and her love for others is astonishing.  She has humbled me, motivated me, made me laugh, and has set such a great example of being a wife for me.  I can honestly say that without her guidance, Derek and I would not be where we are today. Love. love, love her.

Lorie
I'm fairly certain Lor would bend over backwards for me, three million times, in a hail storm.  Never have I felt so warm and welcomed into another family as I have with hers.  She took care of me when I broke my leg, and has dished out advice on practically every aspect of my life.  Also, she has not complained once at the brainwashing I've done with her daughter, whom I love beyond words, and have taught to do very ridiculous things.

I have no words to describe how much these ladies have done for me throughout the years:

Listen to me rant about how much I hate boys?  Check.  

Listen to me talk on and on about how much I love boys Derek?  Check.
Help me figure out "what I want to do with my life"? Check.

Be a spiritual example and help me grow?  Check.
Remind me to laugh in life?  Check.
Listen to me ramble about History and Politics?  Check.
Talk me out of very dumb decisions?  Double Check.

Thanks for all you have done for me, not just with this beautiful Shower, but in so many other avenues of my life.

Love y'all!

Ash

PS - 70 Days... and Counting!

One Orange Jeep Please

In case you missed it click here for the first part of our engagement story:

Just look at the Snow Ma'am (Engaged Part 1)

After Mister surprised me at the door (and a few hugs and kisses later) we went inside to warm up from the cold and snow.  I was beyond thrilled to see him, and my head was spinning from a million thoughts.

As we plopped down on the couch and began talking Mister was very tight-lipped about his plans for being here.  So I took it upon myself to begin grilling him for every detail about his visit.  How long had he planned this?  Why was he here?  How many people knew about his sneaky journey?  Did he rent a car to drive to my apartment? Most importantly I needed to know when he would be leaving.  I was convinced that he would hang out with me for a day or two, then ask that question the day he left.

"How long are you going to be here?!"

"For awhile."

"But for real, what day are you leaving?"

"On a certain day after today."

"Can you tell me when?"

"No."

Clearly, I wasn't going to get anywhere with this approach.  So I decided to just enjoy his company and wait it out, knowing in all my wisdom, glory, and knowledge that he would be asking me a very important question right before he left town.  Not tonight...

So I cozied up on the couch just content with getting to spend the evening with him.  Mister precariously walked into my kitchen, opened my fridge and scrunched up his nose.  "Are you hungry?  You have absolutely no food in here. I'm starving!"

I had plenty of vegetables and sandwich fixings.  Apparently that's not food?

"Let's go get something for dinner" Mister proposed.  Still feeling squeamish and wanting to bask in the moment of him surprising me, I suggested we wait and eat later.  He obliged and sat down next to me again. I started chattering away about happenings at work and how I spent the Christmas Holiday, when he interrupted me again, not even five minutes later.  "Ashley, let's go grab something to eat.  It will make you feel better.  And I'm really hungry..."

What?

Why couldn't he just let me enjoy my time with him?

Doesn't he know how happy I am right now?

I'm not even hungry.

He does eat a lot, maybe he really is hungry?

Think of a compromise, how can we get food quickly?

"Ok... Maybe we can go get Moe's?"

"Moe's?"

"Moe's."

"Uhhhh, No.  Not what I had in mind."

"What?  You said you wanted food and that's something quick we can go pick up!"

"Just go get ready, we'll figure something out on the way."

"But, you know Moe's is really good..."

""Maybe."

In hindsight, this was another one of those flashing-neon-lights that portrayed what was about to happen that night.  But instead, I could only focus on cheap Mexican food.  What is wrong with me?  Thankfully I had the foresight to curl my hair before we left for dinner so that Mister wouldn't be repulsed by my looks.

As we walked outside Mister made me close my eyes and helped me into the vehicle he had rented.  Laughing, because I love when he does these type of silly things, I followed his command.  I squeezed my eyes real tight, hobbled into the car, and waited for his word on when I could open them.

Three seconds later Mister had ran around the car, jumped in, and finally let me look at the car he rented.

AN ORANGE JEEP!

He knew this was my favorite car in all the world.  And this one was orange: bonus points! How lucky was I that he rented one?  And how cool was I to get to ride in one to dinner (which I still had my fingers crossed that we would be hearing "Welcome to Moe's" in about 10 minutes)?

We buckled and started on our way, my heart leaped as we started navigating... not towards the side of town with restaurants, but towards the Highway... Mister looked at me and said, "I have a better idea of what we can do tonight..." and with that, he turned onto the Highway, heading towards Nashville.   Moe's was not on the menu, and thankfully a much better night lay ahead!

Don't worry, I'll tell you all about Nashville next time!

ash