It's Friday in North Carolina. The sun is shining after a little mizzle rain. It's warm. It was not warm on Monday & Tuesday! It was cold! Summer was here, so she can vouch for that fact. I jokingly told Patrick, "I want to go back to Florida! It's cold here!"
The move went well, and Dad and I survived the horrific drive up. It was the perfect storm for me: It was pouring, dark, I was in a big truck on an unfamiliar route. Needless to say, I was relieved to pull into the hotel where we stayed in Columbus on Friday night. We were able to get into Hickory around lunch time on Saturday. The Berry's met us at a hole in the wall eatery for some BBQ. Dad was such a good sport about the whole thing. I know he was exhausted but he powered through, eventually falling asleep on the Berry's sofa during a chat.
Sunday we decided to take dad up the mountain to show him Blowing Rock, Footsloggers, and the Parkway. It was raining a bit and cold, but we had fun looking around and Dad got to meet Jason, Patrick's brother. Sunday afternoon Mike Lieth, one of the groomsmen, and his wife threw a fabulous shower! I got to meet more of the family, and we were so blessed by all the generous gifts! Becky is a wonderful hostess, and her daughters helped out, making it really special.
Summer came up on Sunday night. I honestly do not know how I would have done it all without her help! Summer is good at pretty much everything, but in the wedding shower/moving department she is exceptionally great! We went from boxes and furniture piled HIGH to everything having a place, a shelf, a drawer, a home. Patrick was really amazed, and his parent were even more amazed, I think! It really feels like a home, and with all the gifts, we are all set to enjoy life together! I'm especially well-outfitted to be a masterful cook! :) Have tu pull those skills back off the shelf from my old days at the Tea Room. Patrick enjoyed having Summer here, not only because of all her help but also because that meant he could sleep at his house instead of his parents. So, he got to enjoy my old bed in the guest room. We are both REALLY looking forward to sharing his big wonderful king-size bed in our married life :) But I'm sure ya'll don't all care to hear about that. HA ha!
On Wednesday the team at Transportation Insight (Patrick's workplace), led my Jennifer Maltba, held yet another awesome shower for us. Guess What!!!! We got a coffee maker! I think I did a little leap of joy when I realized what was in the box. They all got a kick out of how happy it made me.
Tomorrow we head back down to Destin in the Z3 - should be fun! :) Patrick bought a rack for the back so that we can have enough room to pack everything we will need for the week of the wedding and the honeymoon. We are so Happy. It's all very real, and we feel incredibly blessed. Every day we thank God for what he has done in our lives to bring us to this place.
