Engagement Party!

Matthew and I are so excited to have our friends and family coming in town for our Engagement party this Saturday.

It's hard to believe that only 10 months ago, I met Matthew for the first time at Lews Sports Bar in Waldo. He was wearing a North Carolina Panthers jersey (Gasp!). We made small talk. I told him I had just gotten back from Italy, where I managed to avoid all art museums and drank my way through Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre with Emily. It was after I went on and on about how I hate art and love to drink, that he tells me that he studied in Italy--ART HISTORY!

See, first impressions aren't THAT big of a deal! :) He owe's his happiness to me because I made the first move. So, we'll be toasting to me on Saturday night!

Family Affair

It's been a little while since I've written anything. And a long while for Matthew. :)

We've been pretty busy with planning, work and school, but we're so excited to have Mary, Matthew's mom, come visit us next weekend. This will be the first meeting of the parents and know everyone is excited!

We've also made plans to visit Miss Mabel, Matthew's niece, in September. We'll be heading to D.C. on September 18 to spend the weekend with Michael, Ashley and Mabel.

Isn't she sweet?!

L.O.V.E.

My dear friend Gwyneth Paltrow :) sent out an email from her GOOP newsletter about the fraility and power of a long-term relationship. I won't copy all of it, but I will insert a passage that I think is really beautiful. Enjoy!

Kahlil Gibran in his essay on marriage states, “Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other’s cup, but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping; For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together; For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.”

Florist Update

My mom and I had a WONDERFUL appointment with Bridget from Ornamental Petal last night. We ended up sitting outside of Latte Land for 2 hours talking about centerpieces. It was great. :) We definitely clicked, and I can't wait to get started looking for things. I won't give out too many details because I want our guests to be surprised, but I will tell you that every table is going to be entirely unique and special with some very fun additions to the table!

Check out Ornamental Petal online!

Inspiration

I've been working hard to narrow down a specific theme and overall feel for the wedding, and I continually come back to the blog, Green Wedding Shoes. Thanks to my wedding dress sales associate for introducing me. This blog has so many dreamy, vintage-feel ideas. I love, love, love it!

My head is totally into this "eclectic vintage garden scene" with shades of yellow, gray and navy. I can't wait to share these ideas with my PT (potential florist) tonight!

I heart billy buttons!

In Love

With this music.

Happy Feet

In need of some serious pampering for my feet, I walked in to Polished nail salon yesterday after work. I casually mentioned to Matthew that I was going there straight after work, so he'd make sure to let Stewart out before class.

Lucky for me and my feet, I have the most amazing, thoughtful fiancé ever. I'm sitting in the chair, getting my feet buffed when a lady walks over and asks if my name is Melina. I tell her yes, and she just walks off. I'm thinking I probably dropped a receipt with my name on it or a business card, I have no clue.

When I'm finished with my pedicure and pulling out my card to pay, the lady looks at me and says in a thick Asian accent, "Oh no...your husband call an pay for your feet!"

So funny. :) Thanks babe.

Welcome to the World, Nora Annabel Cowie!

Nora Annabel was born on July 2 at roughly 2:10 p.m. She weight a whopping 8 lbs 11 oz and has TONS of dark hair with big chubby cheeks!

Here's Matthew holding Nora.

Nora with big sis Evie!

I'm About to be an Aunt AGAIN!

Hi Everyone!

Kara checked into the hospital this morning at 6 a.m. to be induced today. They broke her water at 8:30, and as I type, she's in labor! I'm leaving work early today to welcome my new niece. Can't wait to see Miss Nora Annabel Cowie!

Kind of strange, but Nora is born the day before my dad's birthday and Evie was born the day before mine. These Cowie kids are trying to steal some birthday thunder! Not cool. :)