They pull up and pile out of the car. Sometimes eager, sometimes anxious.

Excitement and a little bit of nerves always fills the space between us.

“Did we dress ok? Why is it so cold/hot/rainy/sunny? I’m nervous!”

These are usually things they say with their eyes instead of their lips.

They slowly settle into all forms of this-is-the-worst/lets-get-this-over-with/this-is-as-good-as-it-gets/this-might-be-more-fun-than-we-thought.

But the hour flies by while we snuggle, freeze our noses off, marvel at discarded animal body parts, avoid dying from nearby thorns…

And before you know it…

We’re picking up discarded books on the side of the road as souvenirs of our time together.

(We were convinced someone left the exact amount of books for each of them on purpose. We were also a little creeped about WHY and HOW.)

To the big, lovely, quirky, loud, obnoxious, and incredibly sweet group of people that is the Recod family - THANK YOU. I’m so incredibly grateful for our time together and the hilarious escapades we enjoyed together!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :)

We shivered in the cold together and I asked him if he was nervous.

Not really. I’m pretty sure I know what she’s going to say.

She was delighted to see him standing there. In their spot. With one question on his face.

A question she quickly answered with joy.

It was as if… all this time… she was waiting for this.

Waiting for him.

Jer and Aub, I still can’t believe I got to be there. And I still can’t believe that you finally have each other (cue all the happy tears). You are SO perfect for one another and so delightfully loved by SO many. I can’t wait to see what beautiful and amazing things God does in your future!! Love you both!