Cara and Steven

I had the privilege of seeing my best friend marry the man of her dreams. Cara Jean Wright married Steven Cary Reese for all eternity in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on 14 August, 2009.
I can't imagine Cara with a better guy. He compliments her well and it's easy to see how much he adores her. And he was such a good sport with the endless picture taking! This picture was probably spontaneous, but I like to think it represents Steven's feelings about all the photography.

Their reception was fun and totally chill. It was a great day and I had a great time hanging out with their family. Cara's parents and grandparents have just adopted me into the fam and it's great. I love them all very much and it made for a super fun weekend. I loved getting to know Steven's family, and especially his sister, Tara. Cara's bridesmaids were Tara, Kiley(cousin), Carli(sister), and myself and we sure had a blast together!

I've known Cara since we were 11 years old and in all that time I have never seen her happier, or more at peace than the night she tearfully told me she wanted to spend the rest of forever with Steven. I'm so happy for Cara for finally finding the man she's been looking for, and for Steven for landing such a great girl.

Congratulations Cara and Steven!

A New Sweet Morsel

I GOT A JOB! One that's actually in my field of study and interest. Yesterday I had my 2nd and final interview at the Sunrise Residential Treatment Center for troubled young women! My awesome roommate Chandy gave me the tip. It's part time and it's in Hurricane, so I'm staying part-time at Metalcraft, which will make for some much-needed busy-ness. I'm so excited! It feels like a good step in the direction I want to go. I've had a whole bunch of little ants in my pants lately about finding something better suited to my talents and interests, so this really is a welcome blessing!

Sweet Sorrow

The last week of my life has been a beautiful myriad of hello's and goodbyes, tears and joys. Two days ago I bid a tearful farewell to my aunt Lara, uncle Joel, and their three little girls, Bria, Chloe, and Sophia. They began their trek to Holton, Michigan just yesterday and I already keenly feel their absence. I feel so blessed to have been a part of their lives since they moved to Cedar City two years ago. When it came to say goodbye, all I could think about was how much I would miss them. I loved going over to their home after work and chatting with Lara, catching up with Joel, and playing those girls who could light me all up inside before I could even get through the door. I will miss the all-important race to the death when I knocked on the door and the squeals of excitement as they hurdled their little bodies into my arms, daring me to catch all three of them at a time.

Now that I've had a few days to be still, my mind keeps coming back to something Lara said the night before they left. Bria was having a really hard time with the move and was devastated to be leaving her cousins, especially Matt and Ashley's bunch. In an attempt to comfort her, Lara reminded Bria that we are cousins, and that's why we won't ever really say goodbye. We'll always be family and no distance could ever change that. She said it for Bria, but it was I who was comforted. I've stopped thinking about how much I will miss them. I've started thinking instead of how wonderful it will be to see them again. I'm so excited for their new adventure. I know it will be wonderful and their sweet family will be blessed for their faith.