And Two Weeks Later...

And two weeks later, we've accomplished a lot in preparing for the wedding. The church is booked...our beautiful sanctuary at Second Presbyterian Church...for June 13, 2015.  We have engaged a wedding planner...Ellen Cohn-Robinson of WED (Wedding.Event.Design). And, after much research, we have settled on the location for the wedding reception...the Colonial Room at the Francis Marion Hotel.

The church was a no brainer. We are SO blessed to be members of Second Church. In the words of our pastor from the church website...

Second Presbyterian Church is #1 on the List of Historical Churches in Charleston.

For over two hundred years the light from the steeple of The Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston and Its Suburbs, as it was named in 1809, has been a beacon providing direction for sojourners on the sea and the sea of life. As we move into our third century, we are committed to serving our still-creating God in ways that are yet to be imagined!

The decision to work with a wedding planner was also an easy one to make. Let me tell you...the fact that we were able to get WED to take us on a mere 13 months before a wedding during the month of June--the busiest wedding month in Charleston---is nothing short of a miracle. As important as it is to us that our only daughter's wedding be exactly what she wants it to be (within reason) it is also important that we have every opportunity to enjoy it without feeling overwhelmed. WED is a gift that Hank and I are giving ourselves!!

The reception. The Francis Marion Hotel.  The Colonial Ballroom in the 90 year old hotel, was completely refurbished in 2012 and is lovely...but...there are many lovely venues in Charleston. At the end of the day, it's all about parking, parking and parking. Our guests will be able to walk across Marion Square from the church to the reception. It is also all about air conditioning!! There are a number of gorgeous historical home venues; however, they require that dancing be outside as amplified music is strictly prohibited inside these homes. Charleston...June...hot...humid...sand gnats. My nerves would not be able to withstand worrying about the heat, humidity and sand gnats.

So...the next steps...firming up details on the photographer, the guest list, the music and schedule appointments for wedding dress shopping.  More soon...

Big News...BIG BIG NEWS

You didn't think I'd completely given up the ghost on blogging, did you?  I mean, really, it's only been almost six months since I posted.  Give a girl some encouragement with a few comments pretty please. But now...NOW, I have BIG BIG NEWS!

Lorelai is ENGAGED!!!!  Here's the story...last weekend, she graduated from Clemson (again) with her Masters and Education Specialist Degrees (two degrees...TWO!) in Counselor Education.  By the way...she's looking for a job so if you are a school administrator in South Carolina be a pal and give her a job.

Hank and I took Lorelai, her then boyfriend now fiance' Butler, and Legare out to dinner at Rick Erwin's West End Grille on Thursday night.  After the ceremony on Friday afternoon, Legare headed back to Raleigh (oh yes...other news...he's moved from Charlotte to a new job in Raleigh) and Hank and I grabbed a quick supper at Davani's, then went back to the hotel to collapse.

Hank's cell phone died so he plugged it in and promptly fell hard and fast asleep by about 8:30. I watched Netflix for a bit and was out shortly thereafter. He woke up about 1:30 a.m. and when he checked the time on his phone, saw that he had a text from Butler requesting a private conversation for Saturday morning. Confident that he knew what the conversation would be about and to his credit, he suffered in silence for the rest of the night and did not wake me.

After Saturday morning brunch with Lorelai's fellow graduates, Hank and Butler found a quiet place to chat. Long story short, Hank gave our blessing and we started back toward the Lowcountry. With the help of good friends Candice and Jesse, Butler hatched a plan to be executed that evening in the Botanical Garden at Clemson. Candice called Lorelai and requested that she and Butler come to the garden to take pictures of she and Jesse in all of their finery before the Inaugural Ball for the new president of the university. Unbeknownst to Lorelai, Candice and Jesse were hiding in the shrubbery at the appointed location ready to take photos of the big moment. And here it is...

And one with Candice just after...

And finally....the ring!

Lots to do...lots to do.  And I am going to blog about all of it.