In Loving Memory of Lillian Parramore Dickerson

It was the week before our wedding, and my mind was all aflutter with everything I had to accomplish: pick up my dress and shoes, write two papers and study for an exam, get the ribbons tied on the programs and wrap the bridesmaids gifts, finalize things with the reception venue, pack for the honeymoon, the list went on and on. In the middle of all this, my mom informed me I needed to call my grandmother back because she had a question about our fine china. I never got around to calling her back, I just assumed I could talk with her about it during the rehearsal dinner. Little did I know that it would have been my last chance to talk to her as I had always known her--bright, caring and full of life.

The night of our wedding rehearsal arrived, and my Dad and I were in the foyer of the church with my wedding director getting ready to practice him escorting me down the aisle. We were already running a little behind due to most of the wedding party getting stuck in traffic on the way to the church, and right as we were ready to cue the music, my Aunt and Uncle walked in the foyer doors. We turned around to wave at them really quickly, but they signaled that they needed to talk to my Dad. He went over to speak with them for a few minutes, and my wedding planner and I started to get impatient because we thought they were simply catching up. So to speed things up a little, I called out "Dad!" and he turned with that look in his face that said there was something seriously wrong. When he was finally able to join us again, I hooked my arm in his and he told me that my grandmother just had an aneurysm. It was the last thing I expected to hear, and I don't know exactly how to describe my response. I was shocked and just kept asking my Dad questions to keep from getting upset on our practice trip down the aisle.

It didn't hit me until the actual dinner started later that evening that my grandmother would not be at our wedding, something I knew she had been looking forward to for quite some time. I had a short cry in the bathroom with my mom and best friend Jenny, and then tried to enjoy the rest of the evening. The wedding went on the next day like a dream, but I couldn't help but feel like something very special was missing. Once Kyle and I returned from Jamaica, we went to see her in the ICU at Emory in Atlanta. During our honeymoon, she'd had brain surgery and it was very difficult to see her the way she was, limbs swollen and staples in her head from the large surgery incision. I was able to hold her hand and receive a small response from her, and Kyle and I prayed fervently over her for her healing. And that was the last time I saw her.

After a long journey of one step forward and two steps back, Meemaw passed away and became united with our precious Savior on August 12, 2010. This entire experience has been very humbling, opening my eyes to just how self-focused I was before our wedding. It definitely forces you to take a step back and really realize how each day is a gift, and you never know if you will have tomorrow. I don't know how many times I've heard people around me say that, and I would just pass it off, but now I know what they are talking about. It makes you wonder at the end of the day, what have I done today that has eternal value? {"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overcome to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:15-18}

Words are not enough to thank everyone who came out to her visitation and funeral, it meant so much to have that reassuring support system around us. I think the most meaningful moment was near the end of the burial service, and my Pawpaw was sitting by himself on one of the chairs under the tent. He had finished speaking with everyone, and people were slowly trickling back to their cars and headed home. Pawpaw was content to sit there and gaze upon his bride, soaking up those last few moments before they put her in the ground. I can't imagine what was going through his head, but from the peace on his face I know I just had a glimpse of true love.

Meemaw, you are dearly missed, but I look forward to seeing you again someday!

You can find us in Fernandina

Armed with two good books, ready for the seafood binge, expecting to be sunkissed. Ah, sweet vacation. The Fentons are peace-ing out until Wednesday!







P.S. Aren't these vintage beach photos delightful?

150 Days Ago Today...

Today marks 150 days since our wedding, and I can honestly say that on each and every one of those days my love for Kyle has only grown. We've seen flaws in each other come out in numerous forms, yet the Lord allows us to give each other grace and encourage each other to become more like Christ. In those 150 days, I've never laughed like I have with Kyle, and I love doing life together with him. Here's to hundreds and hundreds more, and a quick look back on day one. :)



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[Videos courtesy of Randall Productions]

Peaches for Breakfast

There's really nothing like it. The end.

On the hunt...

Since Kyle had his nose in a book all day studying for finals coming up, I decided to go on a curtain hunting adventure. In my free time over the past couple of days, I've been scouring blogs and different home decor sites for the perfect curtains for our living room and bedroom, and I finally found them today! These rooms have been in dire need of some drapes, not just to give them finishing touches, but to add some color since we are not allowed to paint our STARK WHITE walls. Ick. Kyle and I plan to hang them up on Friday, once he's finished with his first semester of PT school (which is really exciting itself!). Be on the lookout for pictures of the finished product!

In the meantime, I thought I would share some gems I happened across while researching this project. Anthropologie had some really helpful curtain-hanging tips on their home decor website:



{1} For an elongating effect, install a curtain rod several inches above a window.

{2} Have a narrow window? Create the illusion of wider panes by installing an extra-long curtain rod.

{3} The key to mixing pattern with pattern is scale--for example, bold curtains work extremely well with diminutively patterned upholstery.

{4} Not sure what curtain length will do? Try shorter panels for a relaxed and informal look. If you're going for grandeur, the longer the better.

{5} Short curtains should ideally skim the bottom of a windowsill, while long styles look best when barely brushing the floor.


And can I just have this room from Pottery Barn? I'm crushing big time over those yellow toile roman shades.





And I love the photo of the billy buttons on the wall. Saving that idea for the future--our groomsmen's boutonnieres were made out of those :).

Megan + David get hitched!

What can we say? We love Megan + David and couldn't be happier that they are enjoying marital bliss together now. They have an awesome love story, and out of all the Fab 5 couples they've been together the longest (approaching six years now! Yeah, I know.) And the Clays have a special place in our heart because the Lord used David to inspire Kyle to become a physical therapist. Kyle is now almost finished with his first semester at the Medical College of Georgia, all thanks to a divinely-appointed conversation with David four years ago. So thanks guys!

As alluded to earlier, Megan + David have been together since our junior year of high school, and I’ve had the privilege of watching them grow into a beautiful and godly couple. I’ve been so encouraged by their love and commitment to each other. So to say they were ecstatic on July 17 when they finally became husband and wife would be an understatement. And just to further ingrain the longevity of their relationship, here’s a throwback pic to Youth Camp 2006 [Megan on the far left and David in the black tee]:



Now on to the loverly-ness of their wedding weekend!

For Megan's last night out, let's just say we went on a tour-de-downtown Athens.



The next day, we bridesmaid luncheoned-it-up at the Magnolia Cottage and Gardens in Stone Mountain.



What was on the menu you ask? Well I'm so glad you did. Only delicious goodness with a little side of perfection I say! Actually, it was a choice between chicken crepes with portabella mushrooms and something else less awesome, with chocolate mousse and a Mimosa to top it off. Mmm mmm we were spoiled!







As if that wasn't good enough already, for our bridesmaid gifts we got the most DARLING skirt aprons with our initials embroidered on one of the pockets, all made with love by Megan's mom. Get outta town.



And, by the way, we're sexy.



We kicked it southern style with some BBQ for the rehearsal dinner. Obviously you never get too old for the spoon-on-the-nose picture.



Only hours away from being Mr. and Mrs. Clay!



I am so blessed to have four such wonderful women of God as my best friends.



And all of a sudden it was wedding day! They held their ceremony at the church we grew up in, First Baptist Church of Loganville, and the reception took place at the gorgeous and elegant Vines Mansion. Here are just a few of my favorite shots from the day:



Jayne Sinclair of I Do Flowers did a fabulous job on the flowers. Megan's bouquet looks so yummy!

























This is my favorite shot from Megan's photog, Kendall Hudgins Photography. Check out Megan + David's blog post for some more of their wedding eye candy! (P.S. Their getaway car was a Stingray Convertible. Totes jel.)



And they lived happily ever after! :)

He has withheld no good thing

God has taught me so much this summer, especially how to see Him in everything, even in the small things. These are some of my favorite pictures from the past month, and I think they perfectly capture how the Lord wants to demonstrate His beautiful presence in every part of our life.

This was taken at Kyle's childhood best friend's wedding on June 19. I just love the joy that is evident on their faces! (Even though, I'm always interested to know what the couple is talking about during their first dance. For Kyle + me, we were slightly caught off guard by our DJ playing the acoustic version of our song, and we had to figure out how to adjust to the pretty much nonexistent beat. And I know for the Mintons, Julie was sweetly whispering "I'm going to kill you!" because seconds earlier Doug accidentally stepped on her dress and ripped part of the bustle off. So I wonder what Andy + Kallie's story will be!)



Mom and I hosted a bridal shower for Megan just two weeks before her and David's big day, and it was such a blessing to catch up with old friends.



Kyle surprised me with a stay at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead for my birthday, and we had so much fun! It was very very nice to have some "just us" time, and just know the importance God places on rest and how it sustains us (Psalm 91:1).



We spent the Fourth at Lake Oconee, and the Homrichs were able to join us! The weekend went by way too fast, but we were so glad to hang out with Andy + Jami and my family.



And of course I can't leave out the Brodster. He gets cuter and cuter every time we see him. Puppies are such a blessing from the Lord, it's impossible to be unhappy around them!



My next post will be all things Megan + David's wedding, so get ready for some vibrant summer colors and a stunning bride!