The wonderful gift of love

This past weekend I was blessed to have spent possibly the most memorable night of my life with those I love. Seven of my best friends threw Jake & I an engagement party to celebrate our upcoming wedding and wonderful past year we've spent together. I will blog more about the night in the next few days, but I just wanted to share the overwhelming sense of love I was overcome with throughout the evening. Aside from the time, energy and creativity that went into the party was something that I think that our society is neglecting to fully embrace: love. As dear friends and sisters stepped up, toasting the love they have for both Jake & my relationship, I couldn't help but smile at the joy it brought me. My sister of a friend (and bridesmaid) Adrienne said something so wonderful that has remained etched on my heart these last few days. Concluding her toast to us she remarked, "Jake, I love you for loving Emily so." Something so beautiful to hear come from the mouth of a dear friend as one welcomes a soon-to-be husband of another. What a blessing it is to have those close to me to share in the love I have found in Jake and the marriage we are preparing for. Thank you to all those who have shared yourselves with us & continue to help us along the way as we begin to share our lives together.

Home Away From Home

I never realized more fully than now how much God really does have everything planned out PERFECTLY. After graduating from UD in May, I really hoped to remain in Dallas and find a good job, but He had other plans for me. I reluctantly returned home and worked for eight months, saving up and enjoying quality family time. What I didn't realize at the time, however, was that home was exactly what I did want at that point in my life. The loving confines of my home in South Florida was what I needed before embarking upon my new, independent life as a young professional. There were so many life lessons that are cultivated within the home and it was just a matter of time spent with those I love that I came to understand that to the fullest. 

Come December 2012, however, God had a surprise in store for me! A job was placed in my path in Dallas, but I had no one to live with (so I thought). One evening as I was online, I messaged Becca Burns, a good friend from UD who graduated with me. Little did I know, she was actually living in a Dallas townhouse with an extra bedroom just waiting to be occupied! Before I knew it, I had a job, a beautiful place to live with a welcoming roommate and the next day a FIANCE! What a week of change it was! As of January 5, 2013 my new life in Dallas began. Here are some pictures of my favorite things in my new room: 

Antique books graciously given to me from Jake

Stationary Collection 

A few favorite reminders 

My quilt from Urban that I couldn't live without

Sweet calendar from Mama Hines 

All Things New

Welcoming in the Change 

Hello blog, I'm back! Please forgive my negligence from your viewing, I promise I have not forgotten about you. But a lot has been happening in my life since we last spoke. If you notice my new blog title, I am dedicating this blog to "All things New" in my life and those surrounding me. The year 2013 has already brought me such great joy in the changes occurring, I figure it's only fitting. I invite you to join me in this walk, a joyful year filled with all things new! I hope that you can find great comfort in my words as I share with you some of my little, sometimes seemingly mundane, moments in life that I would like to capture and share. 

Recently someone shared with me something so providential. He said, "What is it holding us back from life's greatest adventures? On our tombstone one day there will be two dates separated by a dash. What do you hope to be marked within that seemingly insignificant dash?" What will be held within my dash that I want the world to know? Just wanted to share that with ya'll, because it has resonated with me all week. I want to find life's greatest treasures and share them with those I love and cherish and I hope you will do the same. Smile because you are alive!