Nearly Nearings

This is Tom and Rebecca

...and...

Last night we got to celebrate these crazy kids.

It feels as though I begin each blog this way, but seriously, I am capitol 'B' BLESSED. I have immeasurably incredible friends, and they are all marrying one another! What could get better than that!? 

Last night we gathered to celebrate the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Nearing with good food, good friends, and a great time of prayer over them and their marriage.

I am [shamelessly] proud to say that these two reunited right around my own wedding where Becks was one of my beautiful bridesmaids. Shortly after, Tom 'liked it and put a ring on it' at Christmas to the effect that would make even Beyonce proud.

In all seriousness though, this is a wedding I simply cannot wait for. We've all been chomping at the bit to see these two wed for quite some time now.

Well done Tom, you got yourself one hell of a girl :)

Love you guys and congratulations!

Here are some snaps from the engagement party last night.

PS: The Man even made a special appearance after a LONG day of work.

...and we matched...

accidentally

(but he LOVED it)

Soon to be the schorrs!

Ok, I feel the need to shout this next one from the rooftops.....

PHIL AND JOELLE ARE ENGAGED!!!

(cue screaming, applause, fist pumping, confetti, music, doves)

This is the one we have all been waiting for. I have the two BEST [girl] friends on the entire planet,

and the day has finally come that the last leg of this tripod is getting hitched, and none of us could be happier. When Phil and Joelle began dating, we were all a measly 21-22 years of age. But it has been a pleasure, and honestly an encouragement to my own relationship, to watch how God has grown and shaped them into the couple we see today...steadfast, loyal, gracious, and generous servants not only of God, but of one another.

Congratulations you guys!

The Night That Started it All.

FEBRUARY 3, 2011

The Man and I were still dating long distance at the time. I was scheduled that weekend to make my monthly trip up to Seattle to see him. Little did I know The Man had a plan of his very own. The night of February 3rd, I was set to have my weekly dinner with my best friend Ziza (check out her own blog here). We planned to go to my favorite neighborhood spot Figaro Cafe. As we parked the car (unusually far away) I couldn't figure out why she kept trying to get me to walk down a particular street in order to reach the cafe. It wasn't until I heard the boots coming up rapidly behind the two of us that it all made sense.

The Man had flown down early in order to surprise me. He had worked everything out with Ziza and a group of our friends to get me to the very street that he first told me he wanted to marry me. It was on that street, and in that spot that he proposed. I was so overwhelmed by emotion that as he got down on his knee, I too knelt down on mine, but it made for an entirely sweet and unique moment for us. Afterward, we walked to Figaro Cafe where all of our closest friends where there waiting to celebrate. It was absolutely perfect.