Kids In Love

When I first started attending Westside Church, I met a guy named Will O'Neill. He was really funny and super tall—that was my first impression. Over the 2 years I've been here, I've gotten to hang out with Will during small groups and during softball season (he was on our team). He was one of my greatest encouragers on the team. A little while after I'd been going to Westside, I got to meet his girlfriend, Erin. I remember thinking she was equally tall and was completely stunning! Her sweet personality was such a comfort and when she joined our small group, I got to know her more. It was always nice to see her bright smile when she showed up and hear her stories and gain a new perspective on interpreting the Bible.

Yesterday, I was blessed to have the opportunity to join them at their wedding and watch two amazing people exchange vows and celebrate the start of a new life together! The wedding was so uniquely tailored to them (as I feel all weddings should be) and had a very classy, almost Jane Austen feel to it. Will and Erin being the outdoorsy type that they are even made their getaway on a tandem bike! It was awesome!

Here are my pictures from their special day:

Taking the ferry to Vashon Island for the wedding

I got a ride to the wedding from Dan & Alisa
and we had fun on the ferry ride

The Siers kids were excited to watch the ceremony

The Groom & Groomsmen

The bridesmaids each had unique parasols

Welcoming the elegant bride

The giving away of the bride

An upfront view of her gorgeous dress

Sharing stories

The exchanging of the vows

You may now kiss the bride

Jay praying for the new married couple

Mr. & Mrs. William O'Neill

Dancing away into a new adventure

Fresh baked dessert served as the wedding cake

Tasty cheeses & figs with blue cheese,
walnuts and prosciutto for appetizers

The gift for the attendees
was unique wine glasses

Will, me, & Erin

The getaway vehicle

And you know it's never a party
without a little whip cream on your nose

All You Need Is Love

Have chalk, will travel. That was my motto this afternoon. I woke up this morning thinking about how much I love my neighborhood and I decided I wanted to do a little art project this afternoon around my neighborhood. I wanted to leave little sayings and encouragements about love, to share the love on this widely celebrated day of love. My friend Sean made a great point this morning on Twitter:

Valentines day is overrated. everyday should be valentines day for your sweetheart!

In some respects, I agree. The fact that I don't have a sweetheart makes it kinda different for me though. However, I figure that instead of wallowing with melancholy in the fact that I am single (as many people I know are), and don't have any people that I'm romantically connected to in my immediate circle of friends, I wouldn't waste an opportunity to share love with people in my neighborhood :D

Here are some little love notes I left around my neighborhood :D










There are more, but in order to see them, you'll just have to take a walk around my neighborhood :D

(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You

So tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I'm sure some of you are planning on doing something special with your significant other :) One of my favorite concepts ever is the mix tape. I love creating mix tapes of my own as well. So in honor of that special day of acknowledged love and chocolates, I made my own mixed tape for you with some of my favorite love songs. If you're the kind who likes to dance with your significant other, but can't think of some great romantical tunes to dance to, here is my Valentine's Day Mix Tape you can use for song suggestions:

TROUBLE by Ray LaMontagne


SOMERSAULT by Zero7


TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE by Boys Like Girls (feat. Taylor Swift)


GREEN APPLES by Chantal Kreviazuk


I THINK I'M IN LOVE by Justin Nozuka
(technically this song isn't out until March, but you can get a free download here)


THE ONLY EXCEPTION by Paramore


YOU AND ME by Lifehouse


IT'S YOUR LOVE by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw


SHE IS LOVE (acoustic version) by Parachute


THEY WEREN'T THERE by Missy Higgins
(i JUST uploaded this onto Youtube, so if the audio gets pulled, please forgive me and then go listen to the audio HERE)


THE BEAUTY OF WHO YOU ARE by Marc Broussard


HAZY by Rosi Golan



BETTER MAN by James Morrison


COME AWAY WITH ME by Norah Jones


FADE INTO YOU by Mazzy Star