Every so often I get inspired to do something new, to keep things fresh. So I'm saying good-bye to this blog, and hello to a whole new look. I will keep this blog live so that you can come back from time to time to see favorite posts, but I hope you don't forget to find me at my new address. You can suscribe to my RSS feed there, too, for easy updates on our news. Here's the link...see you soon! http://www.blog.lorrainemarie.com/

Every year, Westmont College has a tradition that students, faculty and families look forward to - their Spring Sing event.  Each of the dorms work to put together a short skit revolving around a theme, which is then performed live and judged.  It's a big deal!  We'd heard so much about this, that we had to come down and be a part of it for Ashley's first year there.  I was amazed at the level of creativity, design, and dedication that was poured out by the students! 

This year's theme was "No Assembly Required".  Ashley's dorm, Page Hall, wrote a skit revolving around garden gnomes (thus fitting into the "no assembly required" theme), who were fighting the gophers over property rights.  The conflict was resolved with pink flamingos helping the two fighting factions to become friends.  Kinda nutty, but the kids really poured their hearts into it, and were rewarded by winning the "Best of Women" title.  Congrats!

Erik is a a guy at home in the outdoors, with a gregarious personality and a fantastic smile.  We met up with him on the sun-drenched shores of Golden Gardens Park - such a welcome change from the damp weather we faced just a few weeks ago.  It turns out that our paths had crossed once before, when Erik came to our house with his friend Michael, to help Michael select his senior pictures. He did a great job! Soon, it will be his turn to choose...

Erik, you were great to work with, and I hope you liked this preview of your images.  We look forward to seeing you again soon...blessings to you!

She was a sophomore, he a lowly freshman.  On the day they met, Charity was busy scooping ice-cream in the student union building for the welcome event she organized for the incoming freshman class.  When Paul spotted Charity, he immediately thought she was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen.  With trepidation and a touch of embarrassment, Paul approached Charity for a scoop of ice-cream - a meeting burnished in his memory, a meeting she has no recollection of.  He went back to his friend standing nearby, and mentioned how much of an impression Charity made on him - she was so pretty! - to which his friend said he had no chance.  And for the next five years, those words rang true throughout their college experience.  Knowing of each other, but not becoming friends to each other, it would take the literary prowess of Jane Austen and the well-loved stage adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" to bring Charity and Paul together.  He played Mr. Darcy, she was cast as Jane. Though her kisses on-stage were with another actor (and Paul's best friend), the sparks flew between Charity and Paul. Within weeks of the closing of the show, love had surfaced and the rest, as they say, is history.

Charity and Paul, thanks for sharing your love story with us, and for allowing us to capture this precious time in your lives.  Gabriel and I had such a blast with you two!  Your love for each other is so obvious, and your joy contagious.  We look forward to being with you in just six short months, when you stand before God and your witnesses to become husband & wife.  Blessings to you!