Celebration, Accomplishment and Being Still

In August of 2008, they moved here.  Korena and her daughter, Alexis.  Within weeks, Alexis and Valerie were inseparable best friends.  Asher actually thought "Alec-a-liss" was his sister too.  When I would say, "go find your sister" he would bring back Alexis.  I came to know Korena as an amazingly vivacious, spontaneous, adventurous, well-cultured friend.  She was just a gem.  I enjoyed Korena as much as Valerie enjoyed Alexis.

Korena and Alexis are like my family.  They really took care of Valerie for some years that she needed them.  For them, and their friendship, I will always, always be grateful.

Thursday, Korena was sealed (married) to her prince charming, Josh.  It really is like a fairy tale.  Korena spent 15 years as a single mother.  I never once heard her complain about it.

I got to do their photos.  I spent an hour photographing flowers while Korena and Josh were in their ceremony.  I thought it was very fitting that there were so many incredible, exotic, beautiful flowers in bloom for this day.

I just cried and cried that first hour. So many big emotions just kept totally overwhelming me. When Korena and Josh exited, everything was all smiles though.  It really was such a celebration for Josh and Korena.

I felt so grateful for the two of them and hopeful too, to be honest.  What a great story theirs is.

Then, two days later, I got to see Alexis graduate.  She had family here from Utah, Indiana and Iowa here for that.  I thought "wow...." I have never really had ANYONE at my graduations and sort of internalized graduations as no big deal, but as I heard the cheers of family members for "their" high school graduates, and I saw the excitement from the audience- with flowers, balloons, bouquets made of cash... I realized that graduations ARE a big deal.  I will make sure Valerie's next year is a GREAT BIG DEAL with insistence of attendence by her far-away family, and I will throw a party for her too.  It is a GREAT BIG DEAL and I am glad I learned that lesson BEFORE she has a graduation that no one really attends.

I learned a lot while watching Korena and Alexis over the last couple days.  I am so happy for the both of them.  I am so happy that they were celebrated for a bit too.  They are angels in my life.  I love them both dearly.

Today, I cap off such a great week of learning and loving with a picnic at my boss's house.  That was a great experience too.  He lives out in Albemarle County in a completely idyllic area.  it was such a treat to just BE there today with people I care about as co-workers.  The drive gave me a lot of time to think and wonder.  At the end of this weekend, I am so grateful for experiences, lessons, love, learning, and chances to be surprised by life.