Celebration!

God has blessed us with a beautiful community.  A patchwork of people that represent seasoned and new friendships, from Chicago and beyond.  And it is pure joy when we are given the opportunity to celebrate life's sweetest moments with these friends; a privilege, really.  This weekend was 4 continuous days of celebration with people we love, and my heart is full to brim.

Thursday evening we arrived in Zeeland to spend time with our friends Bekah and Ryan and meet 3 week-NEW Hannah.  I gave Bekah an abbreviated hug before reaching for Hannah and could have cuddled her all night.  To think that the same girl I fell asleep talking to in our Olson Hall loft is now a mama...feels very meaningful.

On Friday, we drove north to celebrate Kim and Nate's wedding in Grand Haven.  Dennis and I met this sweet couple about 1 year ago, when Kim's friend and college roommate, Amy, came to live with us for the summer.  Kim and Nate have such pure hearts for one another and God, and it was a JOY to witness their marriage vows.  We are thrilled that they will be a short walk away during their first year of marriage. 

Afterwards, we returned HOME to Chicago for the weekend finale of celebrations- DJ and Sarah's wedding.  DJ was one of Dennis' roommates when he first moved to Chicago 5 years ago, and it has been a pleasure to watch his and Sarah's relationship flourish over the past 4 years.  DJ and Sarah both have remarkable life stories that have been redeemed by the Lord, which made for an especially JOYFUL wedding day.

Feeling thankful for community and the blessing of celebrating life's most cherished moments with people we love.