You belong among the wildflowers
Also in here: a recap of Taylor and John's wedding in which I cried my eyes out
Hi! Today we’ve got a wedding recap, a quick change on the Trader Joe’s section, and a cute gift for a new mom. Let’s get into it!
wedding recap
Nate’s best friend got married and I want to share a few moments from the weekend…
While we waited to catch up with some friends for a walk in the morning, I discovered a little creek with wild mint and clover growing beside it. It felt so good to splash my feet in the cold water like a little kid.
It poured rain for a few hours right before the ceremony — we were so worried. Taylor and John were so good natured about it and refused to let it ruin their wedding. As we headed over to our seats, a couple of us said a quick prayer that the skies would clear. By the time they walked down the aisle, the rain was gone and we stayed dry the rest of the night. :’)
Taylor and his mom danced to Wildflowers by Tom Petty (one of my favorite songs, perfect for a wedding!), and it took on a whole new meaning for me in that moment. Over and over, I felt so lucky to be a witness of such a unique and perpetual love. Truly, a love that has been fought for. Holding onto all the complexity of our Mormon background, sandwiched between the layers of love and joy and perseverance, I was overcome.
Taylor and John surprised *everyone* with a choreographed routine during their first dance. Oh my gosh, I’ve never been so shocked and delighted. It was an unforgettable weekend celebrating two of the best people we know.
(Oh, and I wore the black Target dress. It was perfect in the rain!)
today’s bouquet
After nearly five years, we finally got a house number! I agonized over it but ultimately chose this hand-painted ceramic one from Italy because it feels like a piece of art. If we ever move, we can hang it on the wall beside our Prairie Village house portrait.
This one’s for the nurses and doctors and trainers and PTs and MAs and techs and all who heal. (via Mary S)
Wouldn’t this hat be a sweet gift for a new mom? That + these and you’re set.
Looking for a new duvet and thinking my heart just needs multiple quilts.
Lucy’s teacher suggested these alts to “How was school?” We still love
’s scale of 1 to 10 ritual, and I’m going to try adding one of these for my older kids:What made you smile today?
Who did you sit with at lunch?
If you could change one thing about today, what would that be?
What was the hardest rule to follow today?
Tell me something you know today that you didn’t know yesterday.
Cannot stop laughing at this, it is SO TRUE in our family. PTL for Emily, the real parent of us all.
Well, this is the most perfect collage of all time.
As soon as I send this, I’m working on something secret + special with these.
Reflecting on the summer and high fiving myself for getting each kid a towel with their name on it. And a couple cute easy-to-pack towels for me and Nate.
“Fill your children with good thoughts before they go to bed. Ask them about their day, compliment them, and tell them they are everything you imagined and hoped for. They’ll fall asleep feeling loved and so good about themselves.”
—David Young
LA spotlight
Whenever we have a day off, we like taking family field trips to try new food around LA. On Monday, we walked up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, and then Nate took us to Monroe Place, a sandwich shop. Nate got the W.L.F. and I got the Just Peachy. Then, I got jealous of his, and ordered one for myself (minus the turkey). Saffron mayo, crispy shallots?! Pomegranate molasses? Come on!
three things
Three things from Trader Joe’s in my kitchen right now:
Ranch cashews (via Clare G)
Cookies & creme pretzel thins
Frozen rigatoni alla contadina
“Grief is love’s souvenir. It’s our proof that we once loved. Grief is the receipt we wave in the air that says to the world: Look! Love was once mine. I love well. Here is my proof that I paid the price.”
—Glennon Doyle (via Audrey H)
last thing
Most popular link from last week: King Arthur’s box mix garlic bread
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Do you have a favorite wedding song? I’d love to hear.
Our wedding song was "Accidentally In Love", by Counting Crows. Yes, the Shrek song. :) Neither one of us had any interest in a relationship when we met, and he told me he was never going to get married.
I plan to dance with my son to The One Who Knows, by Dar Williams. I think my husband might dance with our daughter to Wildflowers, or All of the Hard Days Are Gone by the McKrells. *That was her lullaby
"These Are The Best Times" from the movie "Superdad".