It’s the last day of 2016 and I must admit I’m a little sad to see it go; this year will always hold a special place in my heart as the year we got married but in looking back I realize beyond getting married it was a pretty awesome year.
Wedding Planning
Considering it’s a once in a lifetime thing, the wedding was a highlight of the year and most of the year had a focus on the planning.
We started off the year attending The Pink Bride Show
I met celebrity wedding planner David Tuterra, who loves family style dinners at wedding FYI (yes I would have scrapped the idea if he said to)
We took our engagement pictures on a freezing February day, I guess it’s our love keeping me warm because it certainly wasn’t that dress.
We took a marriage prep class – Making Marriage Make Sense and had awesome marriage mentors.
In the spring we attended a bridal show at our venue and it really started coming together.
In September my fabulous MOH threw a beautiful bridal shower
And of course, in October we got married!
Family
This year we also had lots of family time.
Shaun’s parents came to Memphis twice before the wedding, in January
And again in May
I got to meet some of Shaun’s aunts while we were in California
We spent lots of weekends at my Dad’s in Jackson doing small town things like going to the Bananna pudding festival
And while in town for the wedding, my family celebrated my grandma’s 90th birthday.
Friends
2016 was also a great year with friends.
We watched a lot of football
Said farewell to our sweet friend before she started a journey around the world.
I went to Memphis Fashion Week for the first time
And had fun outings with Sorority sisters.
We both were blessed with friends coming out to celebrate our birthdays
And I was blessed by the presence of my sweet friends at my bridal shower.
Travel
2016 also took us to some fun places.
We took a weekend off from wedding planning in March to see the Space Center in Huntsville, AL.
And went to Paris is the summer! (It’s just Paris, TN lol . . . But a fun day trip!
In June we went to California to visit family and friends.
July took me to Florida for the annual beach retreat with sorority sisters.
In August Shaun returned to California for his bachelor trip
and in September I traveled to the Windy City with some of my bestows for my bachelorette.
After the wedding we took our Honeymoon to Jamacia, Grand Cayman and Mexico.
Work
In 2016 I started a new job
And Shaun continued to do well at his.
So yes, 2016 was a very good year. When I look back on the year it’s not the things I bought or the food we ate (except for the best meal of my life on Valentine’s Day) that stands out – it is the love and experiences we share with each other, our family and our friends.
I know that for some 2016 was not a great year but I hope even in times of sorrow you found joy and strength. We are all heading into 2017 a little older and hopefully a little wiser. Personally, I’m excited to see what this year has to bring.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Y’ALL!