Living everyday to the fullest

Why is it that we often need chaos or bad things to happen to remind us that we should live each day to the fullest? I feel like I am always talking about something else that has "gone awry" in my life or with someone's life who is close to me. However, I am realizing, the older I get, that life is precious and could be short or long. Whatever time we do have, we might as well enjoy it, right?

I am about to get married to the man of my dreams, I have an amazing family (four amazing parents, cousins, aunts and uncles, my Bubba, a rockstar brother, a new group that is about to become my family through marriage....all who are amazing, btw). I have friends who would go to the ends of the earth for me, and who I would return the favor for...all of whom have been there for me through all of the ups and downs I have experienced lately. I have this job that doesn't even feel like work, because I love it so much. I love the family that I have created there and my students inspire me everyday. My angel and I have this wonderful, warm home that we built together, with two loving little cats, and I also have thirty years worth of incredible memories.

So, yes, I do have things in my life that are unfair, frustrating, and things that truly make me want to investigate why such bad things happen to good people, BUT...when I look at the list above, I can rest assured that each day that comes my way, God willing I am blessed enough to have it, will be a new adventure. A day that I will strive to be positive about and to see the good in.

The picture above is of me on a crazy ride down the shore with my amazing girlfriend, M. This picture just captures what I am saying. In this moment, I am carefree, happy, and "in the moment." Even if we live each moment like it may be our last...is that so wrong?

How Charlie became my dad...

So, I was a fourteen year old softball player and LOVED my coach! I kept telling him that I wanted to set him up with my mom, that he NEEDED to meet my mom. I bothered him every single day. He would always say, "I don't date student's moms....quit it!!"

I didn't listen and just kept on bugging him.

One day, when we were playing a tough team, our catcher got thrown out of the game, and coach asked me to play catcher. I said a big "hell no." He said, I will do anything, just get in there. I said, "Fine, only if you date my mom." He said, "Fine. Just get in the game."

They went out on a date and within the year, get married! I got to choose my dad.

Over the years, he has been such an amazing father. I often ask how I got so lucky? But I knew they would be perfect for each other and I knew he was a perfect fit to be my dad.

He has always stepped up to teach me, to be sure I was staying on the straight and narrow, to help me whether it was with advice or anything else, to make me laugh, to play Fantasy Football with (Go MainCoon Cats!!), and to just be my dad.

He was a dad to me even before he met my mom, actually, now that I think about it...

I just love him and always will! Only good thoughts, dad!

Being ordained is AWESOME!

This past Saturday, I had the honor and privledge of marrying off my cousin to his amazing new wife. I became ordained as a minister and was able to perform their wedding ceremony. It was a gorgeous day in Florida, with the most perfect homemade, special wedding. I still can't believe they asked me to be such an integral part of their wedding day. I will never forget a single moment of it!! Congrats to the newlyweds!!!