Karen's Wedding

Last week I had the opportunity to fly to Memphis to be in one of my best friend's wedding.  Karen and I became friends our freshman year at Samford and quickly became very close.  We were roommates our junior and senior year, went to the same church all four years of college, and babysat for the same family.  She has been a great source of encouragement and wisdom (and FUN!) over the past 14 years (has it really been 14 years since our freshman year of college??).  

There were several reasons I was PUMPED to travel to Memphis for Karen's wedding:

1. While I ADORE being at home with Noah and count it the highest privilege and most rewarding use of my time and energy, the reality is that it can get pretty monotonous and mundane (in the most awesome way...ha!).  

2. The wedding weekend doubled as a girls reunion with some of my dearest friends from Samford and Birmingham.  This doesn't happen often, and it's always reason to celebrate.

3. Karen has navigated singleness in her twenties with such wisdom and grace.  She has been patient and not settled.  God has brought her an amazing spouse, and it brings me so much joy to celebrate their marriage.

Here's how the weekend unfolded:

I flew into Memphis on Thursday morning and was able to enjoy almost two full days alone with Karen.  We got mani/pedis, grabbed Starbucks, finished up some last minute wedding details, and generally just enjoyed a pretty low key couple of days before the wedding festivities.  While Karen was very laid back, there was evidence of "bride brain:"  after lunch on Friday, we went to the bathroom.  Karen pumped mouthwash into her hand thinking it was soap and was really confused when it didn't lather up.  Then she tried to get $50.00 cash back at Costco and somehow pushed 5 cents instead.  The cashier gave her a nickel and sent her on her way.  We had a great laugh, and it was just what we needed to keep our mood light.

On Friday night we had a bachelorette party for Karen with 12 friends.  Per Karen's request, we went to one of her favorite Mexican restaurants and then back to her friend, Sarah's house for a lingerie shower.  The only formal activity was a quiz for Karen about how well she knew Derek.  She did really well - who knew Derek's favorite animal is a flamingo? - but for every wrong answer she had to put a gobstopper in her mouth.  She got more right than wrong, but she definitely ended the activity having popped quite a few gobstoppers. :)

Saturday we were in full wedding mode with a bridesmaids luncheon and rehearsal dinner.  Several of Karen's relatives treated her lady friends to a delicious lunch at Seasons 52.  Perhaps one of the best parts of the lunch were the mini dessert towers that allowed us to sample about ten desserts in perfect individually portioned cups.  The picture below (top right) represents how many desserts I consumed in partnership with two friends.  For the dessert and many other reasons, the lunch was delightful.

The "rehearsal dinner" was really just a good ole' BBQ dinner with about 40 of Karen and Derek's closest friends and family.  It was informal and yummy and loads of fun.  After dinner about twenty of us went Lafayettes to enjoy live music.  It was Karen and Derek's last sha-bang before their wedding.

Sunday was WEDDING DAY!  The wedding and reception were both at Hillwood Manor which was the perfect venue for Karen.  The huge stone fireplace and wood covered walls made it feel like an elegant cabin living room.  It was special to spend the morning with Karen watching her transform into a radiant bride.  The wedding and reception were perfect.  The ceremony was a beautiful reflection of Karen and Derek's love for each other and Christ's love for the church.  The reception was a PAR-TAY complete with dancing, a photo booth, and yummy food.  We had a ball celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Derek Brown!  

Side note: The picture below (bottom left) is me with Steve and Gana Barrentine along with two of their 6 kiddos - twin boys, Ben and Rob.  Ben and Rob were about 6 months old when I started babysitting for their family.  Now they're 14 and taller than me.  DOOOOO WHAT??

I'm so grateful for God's timing.  If Karen's wedding came after Baby Gaskins #2's arrival, it would have been near impossible for me to travel to Memphis.  I may have been 6 months pregnant, but I was able to be present for Karen's special day.  Also with Ron just starting his new job, he couldn't take off any time to watch Noah.  My wonderful mother in law came for 5 whole days to help with Noah.  Thank you Linda!  It was a wonderful weekend!