Footprints on my heart

If someone would have told me two years ago that I would someday be in Liz B's wedding; I would have crinkled my head and questioned, "Why?"

Last Friday, however, I had the privilege to do just that.

Liz is someone that I have grown up with; we were probably first introduced in church nursery! We were friends throughout elementary, but when junior high came our paths separated. We hung with different people and were in different classes. We were two very different girls and seemed to bicker more than get along.

Then came college.

We got along fine, and I thought her a very nice girl; but, still we weren't close. In my last semester of college I was a part of the same ministry she was...the Portage bus route. Every Saturday morning (up until the Saturday before her wedding) we would go out visiting and making house calls on the bus kids, then on Sundays we would ride there and back together to pick up kids for church.

We must have spent hours talking on those van rides. Hours upon hours which I now have to serve as great memories. Stopping at the gas station for Liz's healthy breakfast of Mountain Dew and chocolate donuts, answer Jordan's theological questions, avoiding creepy men in the trailer parks, and taking food baskets out to some families for the holidays.

And so it happened...Liz went from being a close acquaintance to being my best friend. She is someone with whom I never tire of talking. We have laughed, cried, and prayed for each other.

To best describe Liz, I would say that she is genuinely sweet. She is very unselfish and one of the most sincere people I know. I am so thankful that God brought her into my life when He did. He knew that I was in need of a friend and Liz has been such a wonderful one! I am so grateful to not only have been able to help her plan her wedding but also to have been in it...

Last week I was able to host a final bridal "party" with some of her girlfriends. I had so much fun planning it; and of course taking WAY too many pictures!

The theme was Hawaiian.

I made tile coasters as a party favor for all the guests

to take home.

Strawberry Daiquiries...mmm, good!

I got the idea for the fruit kabobs from another blog.

Hawaiian decor

The prize table...

Each girl was given a Hawaiian lei.

Me and the beautiful bride to be...

Us girls

The evening was spent talking...

playing intense games,...

eating,...

talking some more,...(accompanied by bursts of laughter and snorts)

playing more games,...

and being crazy!

And so concluded a great evening with great friends!

It is hard to believe that it has only been a week since Miss Liz has become Mrs. Liz, and it will be even harder to think that this coming Wednesday she will be moving 7 states away! Oh how I will miss her...

Congratulations, girl, I love you!

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts.

And we are never, ever the same.

PS Wedding pictures to follow soon!!