The Kick-Off: Rehearsal Dinner

After a year of planning, organizing, appointments, and busyness the final countdown began.  It is incredible to think back and remember that we had just started our new jobs a month before and moved into our new home barely ten days before that. 

The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner took place the evening before the wedding.  As soon as Mike finished off his school day, we booked it over to Mahtomedi to meet our families, the wedding party, and the other essential hands for our big day.  I was very proud that no one got seriously lost on their way to St. Andrew's.  It all felt so surreal -- everything was finally coming together.

Running through the ceremony went quickly and smoothly.  Everyone knew where to be and what to do.  In no time, we headed back towards White Bear Lake for toasts, snacks, and socializing before our dinner reservations.

For the rehearsal dinner, we went to our favorite restaurant in White Bear Lake -- a little place overlooking said lake, Acqua.  We love Acqua's amazing food selections, excellent service, and its intimate space.  Our two tables of ten filled the entire front room so it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.  It was a wonderful setting for a lovely evening.

Our parents got a chance to sit down together for a nice meal before the chaos of the next day.

It was also nice to have Calvin home before Christmas.

We also got to meet Bill's girlfriend Amber for the first time.

Our fantastic wedding party, personal attendant/singer-extraordinaire, and usher made up the other table.

One happy pirate and four smiling faces...

...basically awesomeness all around.

Here, Biz is either failing horribly at trying to match Yooney's Asian-ness or he's really bad at giving bunny ears.

We thoroughly enjoyed dinner and spending time with our family and friends.

Happy, well-fed, and surrounded by good company, we were ready for the next day.

Signs of Spring

This photo essay came about because of birds – bird songs to be specific.  I had been inside cleaning for two days and on the third I heard the birds singing all morning.  Prior to going on spring break I knew I wanted to go and take photographs of . . . something, but I hadn’t an idea of what that something would be.  After hearing the birds I decided to go out with my camera and take pictures of whatever caught my interest.  After initially following the birds and their calls I started to notice the change happening in the trees and came to the conclusion that I would look for the different signs of spring.

The typical signs revealed themselves immediately– the warm sun melting snow away, people clothed in lighter wear engaging in physical activity outdoors, plants budding and turning green – but what ensued for me was not simply capturing these signs.  As I walked around my neighborhood I began to contemplate what the less apparent signs of spring would be.  It became a meditation on what spring entails, both in beauty and in loss, for spring is not summer.  It is not bountiful warmth and ample leisure.  It is violent.  It is a struggle of life against barren death; both the failure and victory of rebirth.  As I wandered around, spring became more nuanced, multifaceted, and meaningful.  It became the joy of witnessing the optimism and promise of springtime.  

I hope you enjoy this snapshot of spring - M