One thing that I have always been thankful for is having amazing friends throughout the different periods of my life that continue with me as I grow and change. John 15: 12-15 says, " This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." Christ valued the importance of friendship so highly that while he was here on earth he spent almost every moment of his day teaching and growing with his friends. They lived together, worked together, and ministered together. Since my childhood I have been exposed to Jesus and the relationship he had with his best friends (his disciples). I've prayed for such friends and have been blessed to have seven best friends. There are ups and downs, fights and celebrations but without a doubt I know these seven women have made my life in ways more than they probably even know.
My two Maids of Honor are my two sisters, Lauren and Olivia. Having sisters is such a blessing in so many ways but I feel like it can be rare for some families to be so close. I get to have two sisters to share clothes with and two best friends to enjoy every second of my life with. They have been in my life since I was born and will always be there to see me grow and change. They know my awkward years (that I incessantly try and hide from the rest of the world) and all the tiny details that go on in my everyday life. The three of us were cities a part since Lauren started college in 2005 but this past semester we were finally all in the same place again! I got to live with Lauren my last semester of school and Olivia was barely ten minutes away in school at Meredith College. Things will be different throughout marriage but I know that no matter where I am and no matter what Tim and I are doing they will be there no excuses. Its hard to explain how much I care for them and love them. I really don't think I could get married without them being a part of it. I'm so excited to have them there right beside me!
Ashley is my oldest friend. I remember when we moved into our new house in Georgia and we met for the first time! We were both about to turn four years old and ever since then we were inseperable.We were in the same kindergarten and second grade class, wore matching outfits, and always asked for the same things for Christmas. Once my family moved to North Carolina it was a huge transition for the both of us but through God's grace we consistently stayed in touch. I could not even imagine her not standing next to me on my wedding day! She will always be a part of my childhood but I never doubt she will be there with me in the future! She lives in Georgia so I asked her to be a bridesmaid over Christmas before we had made any wedding final decisions. I wanted to make sure to ask her in person and I am so glad I did but I didn't want to leave her out of my fun idea so I mailed it to her!
Sarah and I moved to North Carolina within a couple months of each other when we were eight years old. We were involved in everything together! Throughout our years on the high school swim team we always got the Peanut Butter and Jelly award or the Salt and Pepper award, because you can never have one without the other! God really had a plan for our friendship and I am so happy to have spent so many years (even the terrible middle school years) being there for each other. Sarah was always someone I could turn to about anything. I don't know how I could have survived school and growing up without her there with me! Even as we ventured off to college we were able to stay in touch. I loved the frequent trips we had to visit each other. Even though she went to UNC Chapel Hill I had no problem stopping by on the weekends! Growing up we always talked about our weddings and future husbands and I am so glad that she can be there with me as I see it all become a reality!
Taylor and I went to school together since elementary school but it wasn't until high school that we got to be such good friends. We both joined the golf team and carpooled from school to practice everyday. I loved getting to know Taylor better and I loved getting the opportunity to be such good friends with such an amazing person! Why did we wait so long to be friends?! Senior year was the best because we really started to hang out more and more. Football games, sleepovers, and Friday hangouts were always the best. She was always such an encouraging and supportive friend; she was such a blessing to have as a best friend. Taylor went to UNC Chapel Hill after graduation too so throughout the next four years we really got the opportunity to get to know each other even more. I'm so thankful for her and learn from her everyday. I am so excited for her to be a part of the wedding! I have so many great memories with her it wouldn't be the same without her!
Meredith and I met in college freshman year. We were in a Campus Crusade for Christ bible study together in our residence hall. Being lonely college freshmen we did a lot of stuff with our bible study and it was definitely one of the biggest blessings that God gave me in college. As Meredith and I went through school we became better and better friends and by the time we were juniors we were "best friends for eternity" (BFFE)! Before college I had been praying for friends that would encourage me in the Lord and push me to seek truth. Meredith was one of those answers to prayer. She was the biggest enourager to me through college, pushing me to read scripture and being an accountablity parnter with me as we continued on in our walks with Christ. I really don't know where I would be without her and her beautiful smile. I had the biggest honor standing next to her on her wedding day and I can't wait for her to be a part of mine in August!
Michelle and I also met in college freshman year through our Campus Crusade for Christ bible study. She also was a huge answer to my prayers! Meredith, Michelle, and I were an unbeatable trio throughout college and I love calling them both my BFFEs! I got the wonderful opporunity to live with Michelle and also lead a bible study with her through Student Venture. Michelle taught me how important it was to know and understand the bible and its teachings. She has great wisdom! I loved talking about the new things we were learning and just flat out having a blast with her. She always thinks I'm hilarious which makes me feel great! I don't know what I would have done without the encouragment and wisdom through both Michelle and Meredith in college. College would never have been the same! I also, got the opportunity to stand next to Michelle on her wedding day and I'm so honored that she will be there to stand next to me!
By now you're probably wondering, what are all these things these people are holding? Well, these seven wonderful and beautiful, best friends of mine are all my seven bridesmaids. To ask them I wanted to do something fun and creative! Our wedding will be in Wilmington, NC near the river where tons of boats float by. I folded super cute, double sided paper into a boat, added a sail, poem, and bow and gave them to my bridesmaids to ask them! It was so fun to watch their reactions!
Here are some pictures of the boats up close:
The poem reads:
Its off to Wilmington we will be,
To tie the knot beside the sea.
I'll have something old, new, borrowed, blue,
And one more thing to say I do.
What a joy and gift that it would be,
If you said Yes and stood by me!
Would you be my Bridesmaid?
I loved making these and coming up with everything (my Mom helped a little)! I am so thankful for all these wonderful women! They really are the biggest blessing I could ask for. It means so much having seven women who really know me, and will know me in years to come, standing next to me on my wedding day. I love them so much!
My two Maids of Honor are my two sisters, Lauren and Olivia. Having sisters is such a blessing in so many ways but I feel like it can be rare for some families to be so close. I get to have two sisters to share clothes with and two best friends to enjoy every second of my life with. They have been in my life since I was born and will always be there to see me grow and change. They know my awkward years (that I incessantly try and hide from the rest of the world) and all the tiny details that go on in my everyday life. The three of us were cities a part since Lauren started college in 2005 but this past semester we were finally all in the same place again! I got to live with Lauren my last semester of school and Olivia was barely ten minutes away in school at Meredith College. Things will be different throughout marriage but I know that no matter where I am and no matter what Tim and I are doing they will be there no excuses. Its hard to explain how much I care for them and love them. I really don't think I could get married without them being a part of it. I'm so excited to have them there right beside me!
