My little sister, future brother-in-law and I spent a cold, windy Saturday downtown, shooting the first of their engagement photo sessions. They were great sports, what with it being so chilly, and we had a great time. I warn you, though: they’re pretty adorable and, yes, they are really this happy.
I’m terrible with resolutions, so I’m not making any this year. Instead, I’m reflecting on a year of ups and downs, focusing more on the ups, however big or small they were.
My parents have continued to lovingly welcome me to live in their home, rent-free. They’re pretty awesome.
I was able to celebrate my Baba’s 80th birthday with her:
I reunited with my dear former apartment-mates, Meggie, Amy, and Casey in Chicago. Through the wonders of technology, we were joined by Whitney in Bulgaria, via Skype.
I’ve been able to spend more time with dear friends, like Megan & Valerie.
I celebrated the weddings of many special people this past year, including:
Tom & Christine Chiaccio
Ben & Kerrie Taylor
Steve & Cortney Conn
Zach & Janelle Taylor
I’ve rejoiced with loved ones who have brought new life into the world. Welcome to the babies!!!
Isaiah!
Skylar!
Baby Theresa, whom I do not yet have a picture! Babies yet to arrive are Baby Oakleaf and Baby Constantino, and I’m excited for them all.
I’ve become a member of a church plant that has given me a huge family to be a part of, and they bless me immensely.
I’ve met a world of bloggers who are artists, cooks, writers, and thinkers, and they continue to inspire and delight me each day. Basically, 2010 was about reconnecting with people. People can be the worst part of your day, but they are also what makes life most beautiful.
http://lesliepaints.wordpress.com/
http://asmalltowndad.wordpress.com/
http://megansauder.blogspot.com/
http://womanwithapen.wordpress.com/
http://jongsart.wordpress.com/
http://eatthecookie.wordpress.com/
http://galabent.wordpress.com/
http://karibarrows.wordpress.com/
http://winecarnate.wordpress.com/
http://kindlynoted.wordpress.com/
http://blog.allisonlehman.com/
http://www.backcreekpottery.com/blog/
http://christinelawrie.com/blog/
http://thenewdomesticity.wordpress.com/
http://whitneygodby.blogspot.com/
http://ianandcorrie.blogspot.com/
http://thepioneerwoman.com/confessions/
http://richardmcnaughton.wordpress.com/
http://www.100layercake.com/blog/
http://umbrialoversblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.theroguemagnoliablog.com/
http://www.sonyaaudrey.com/blog/
http://www.biggirlssmallkitchen.com/
http://dolcevitadiaries.co.uk/
http://andrewlehr.blogspot.com/
http://margiedavis.blogspot.com/
http://cheryl-ricebeanspastichio.blogspot.com/
http://jachacko.wordpress.com/
http://fichtlwagner.blogspot.com/
http://lizbarron.wordpress.com/
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/
http://yettonadventures.blogspot.com/
http://grantandlaura.wordpress.com/
http://bellavventura.blogspot.com/
You can still wander into many old cathedrals around the world and find a place to light a candle, whether in memory of a loved one or as a prayer. While living in Italy, I made a ritual of lighting a candle for my family each time I went into a different cathedral. I visited my college roommate last spring and when we went to the National Cathedral, where the following photograph was taken, I was struck by how many candles were lit, reflecting how many people were praying or remembering something or someone significant.
A tradition in my dad’s side of the family is to light a candle at the graves of those who have gone before us. My grandfather, in his mid-eighties, still observes this practice, lighting candles at the graves of his parents and brothers as well as his in-laws. He’s always reflectively quiet during this simple ceremony, and I find it so sweet and beautiful. This is a practice I hope to continue someday…
Today celebrates the sappiest holiday of the year in which advertising and society make all those who are not in relationships feel bad about being single. It’s also the day in which florists, candy and card companies make a ridiculous fortune on all of those people who choose one day a year to express their love to another person. I am choosing to share my favorite films about love and relationships. I’m not much of one for “chick flicks” per say, especially those produced in the past decade, but these are films which I always enjoy when I need a pick-me-up, my “Top Ten Films About Love”, if you will. In no particular order:
1. Return to Me – a sweet story with an amazing supporting cast.
2. You’ve Got Mail – a modern twist on Shop Around the Corner, this film includes the wonderful Tom Hanks, another great cast, and dialogue that my friends and family continue to quote.
3. Chocolat – Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche, a quaint town in France, and chocolate. This film about love, relationships, and acceptance is beautiful in every way and I watch it over and over.
4. Love Actually – Great Britain claims many amazing actors and actresses, and almost all of them come together in this fantastic movie to tell the stories of the different forms love can take.
5. The Princess Bride – a classic romance story and another film filled with oft-quoted dialogue.
6. Philadelphia Story – Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Kathrine Hepburn. Do I need to say anything else? I’m also a huge fan of the “updated version”, High Society, with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and the stunning Grace Kelly, but Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart in the same film doesn’t get much better.
7. Life Is Beautiful – an Italian film by Roberto Benigni, and one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s a story of the deep love between a husband and wife, between parents and children, and of the great sacrifices we sometimes have to make for those we love. It’s gorgeous, and did I mention it’s Italian?
8. Amelie – in my humble opinion, this is the best film to come out of France in a long time. Audrey Tautou is delightful in the title role of a girl who expresses love to others in delightful ways and the cinematography is both beautiful and whimsical.
9. Sense and Sensibility & Pride and Prejudice – These two tie: I love Jane Austen’s work. Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson shine in Sense & Sensibility, and though I love the updated Pride and Prejudice with its lovely cinematography and Keira Knightley in a perfect role, Colin Firth will always be Mr. Darcy.
10. My Big Fat Greek Wedding - if, like me, you are a part of a large, ethnic family, this is a movie that you will relate to in many ways and will both provide laughter and invoke memories.
Many of us have heard, “Love is patient, love is kind, etc.”, but I think far too few take that passage to heart. If there is anything I learned after four years of living in a dormitory with other people who were not necessarily like me, it’s that everyone loves and is loved in a different way.
Real love doesn’t have a shape or a definition. Christ died for love, though He knew there would be those who would reject that love. He commanded that we love one another, but He didn’t say how. The way in which I most effectively receive and express love isn’t necessarily the way in which those whom I love most effectively receive and express love.
I had to learn a hard lesson in college: I was being selfish about love. I took it personally when I felt I wasn’t receiving enough affection from those I wanted. I had to overcome some jealousy with friends who seemed to give and receive love in abundance while I was feeling denied. I had to learn how to pay attention to the needs of others and how they expressed love. Sometimes, I would go an entire day without hearing the phrase: I love you, and I had to learn that it did not mean I was unloved. I had to learn that love does not need to be expressed through words or physical touch. Love can be a smile, an unexpected cup of coffee, laughter, tears, or simply a look. Sometimes, love is just being in one another’s presence.
I learned to get over my desperate, self-centered neediness. I learned how to give and receive love, and I am far more blessed and happy because of it.
