Thematic Photographic

Carmi, at his blog Written, Inc., has posted an interesting subject for his regular weekly thematic photographic project. This week’s project is "drink" and I couldn’t resist participating, especially since the subject of my photograph was the inspiration for the wedding present we gave Kristen and Shaun this past weekend.

During the first few years of our marriage, Justin and I enjoyed traveling to an annual festival in my mother’s home town of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. The festival, Jour de Fete, hosts a variety of vendors and artists and each year offers new finds. One year in particular, we found two beautiful handmade wine glasses at the Show Me Shop in downtown Ste. Genevieve. We purchased the pair and adopted a tradition regarding their use. We decided that these would always be our special wine glasses for the times we shared a bottle of wine as a couple; no one else would be allowed to use them. Years have passed and occasionally while entertaining we’ve run out of regular wine glasses for our guests, but we always saved these two glasses for our private moments. We even had a guest reach for them once only to be told that they couldn’t use them. Of course, after we explained what they were for, she understood and complimented our custom.

When we were contemplating what to get Kristen and Shaun for their wedding present, we pondered several options. It didn’t take us long to figure out that one of the material things we’ve enjoyed most in our marriage is our two special wine glasses.

~Sarah E. Rose~

Relaxation Anyone?

After our busy schedule with the recent wedding and visits with friends and family, we decided to enjoy some down time at one of our favorite relaxing locations: the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Hot Springs, Arkansas is named from the world-famous thermal waters that flow into the historic downtown district of the city. The area is known not only for the springs themselves, but for the many bathhouses located on Central Avenue known as Bathhouse Row. Stepping into the Arlington and the nearby bathhouses is like stepping back in time. Of course, the trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Arlington bathhouse and Fordyce Bathhouse which now hosts the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center and Museum.

With amazing room service, manicures, couples massages, saunas, steam towel wraps, and oversized tubs filled with warm spring water – how could we resist this stop on our trip?

Congratulations Kristen and Shaun!

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’” Jeremiah 29:11-12

I will never forget our wedding. I have so many fond memories of that special day. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that it will have been nine years ago this May. I enjoy weddings. I enjoy each wedding I’ve attended and each time I attend one, I am reminded of my own. Justin and I can sit hand in hand during the ceremony or can be across the room from one another and we will still connect – connect so deeply on the same intimate level as we did at our own wedding, as if we are both silently saying “I do” all over again.

I moved to Tennessee from Georgia when I was still in middle school and was fortunate to make some really great friends when I arrived. And, even more fortunate to still have friendships with a few of those girls now. Kristen Weaver is one of those childhood friends.

Kristen stood up at my wedding as my Maid-of-Honor and throughout the years has been a solid rock in my life. Kristen was one of only two non-family members that held my stillborn son when he was born. Kristen helped see me through many struggles and has shared many laughs with me throughout the years. Ours is a friendship where an overdue phone conversation can feel as if we had just talked the previous day. Kristen was and is one of my best friends.

In the time that we’ve been adults, Kristen has always felt a calling to be a wife. I’ve often likened this desire of hers to my desire to be a mother, both of us patiently waiting for the desires of our hearts. And, as the years passed, she continued to wait for God’s answer to her prayers for a strong and faithful husband. Last spring, God answered her prayers when He sent Shaun Fifer into her life. I will never forget the phone call I received just shortly after she had met him, “Sarah, I just had the most amazing time of my life! Mark my words: I have met the man I am going to marry!” Her excitement gave me goose bumps and I knew then that she must have met an amazing person.

Shaun and Kristen immediately started dating and were soon engaged. Kristen’s faith in God brought Shaun closer to Him as well. Maya Angelou said it best, “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.” And Shaun did.

Their engagement was announced just shortly before we moved to Connecticut and Kristen asked me to come back to be in the wedding. So I did. Nothing was going to keep me from participating in this union. I knew their marriage was a testament to God’s love and faithfulness; a perfect example of God’s lesson in patience and trust.

I was fortunate to have some private time with the glowing bride today and in true best friend fashion, I asked her if she was ready for marriage to which she of course replied, “Yes.” I thought back on all the years we had prayed for this moment in her life wondering when God would answer. I then asked her if Shaun was worth the wait. With tears in her eyes she responded, “Absolutely!” And with her response, I was reminded of something that so many of us often forget: prayers really are answered.

Congratulations Kristen and Shaun! Godspeed!

~Sarah E. Rose~