July 30th, 1983...

Two people promised to be faithful in a covenant relationship before God. 

I've seen the rough times, the joy-filled times. The hurt and the forgiveness. I marvel, through it all, at what God can do through two lives, united as one, and surrendered to Himself.

My dad serenades my mother with love songs in the evenings, my mom writes special notes to tuck inside his lunch. Biking together, praying together, it's a by-your-side kind of relationship. Seriously, this is the kind of love you don't see everyday.

30 years later I hear this...


Dad *walking in the door from work*: "Queen! The highlight of your day has arrived!"Mom: "You better believe it!"

I love them. So much.

"Two are better than one,

Because they have a good reward for their labor.

¹⁰ 

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion...

¹¹ 

if two lie down together, they will keep warm;

But how can one be warm alone?

¹² 

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Sisters

Beasley girls.

We started out with two... And we're gaining quickly. 

But that's to be expected with seven brothers. 

Yes. I love each one of them.

They add a unique dimension to our ever-growing family. Not only providing me with adorable nieces and nephews, but also with the cherished gift of friendship. 

{Abby, on the left, is no longer adorably pregnant. The world, and our family, was gifted with yet another little Beasley boy. Pictures to follow.}

Sometimes life finds you...

...as a nurse in WWII.

...marveling in the little things in life, like pink shoes on the wrong feet.

...teaching piano lessons to three amazing little kids, for the last time.

...with sweat rolling down your face, in the middle of a Crossfit workout.

...witnessing in downtown Wichita, KS.

...roadtripping, getting lost, drinking Jamocha shakes and laughing all the while.

And then life keeps going. You stop to smile and look back at the pictures that make up oodles of memories. And pretty soon life finds you running again. quite literally...

my very first 5k. cold turkey. loved it.

...holding an itty bitty baby nephew for the first time. 

and time gave me a favor and stood still. for .098 seconds

...out thrift shopping with friends. 

{birthdays for the win!}

...sitting at the table, surround by the people you love the most. and who love you the most.

Life. My strange, crazy, unpredictable, fabulous, beautiful, messy life. 

once I stop to catch my breath maybe I'll post something worth reading. but pictures are better anyways.

Have a lovely Saturday {or whatever day it is.}