Memorial Day:: Stop to remember

In the true spirit of Memorial Day, I thought I'd write a post to remind all of us of the reason we celebrate this holiday. It is because of the men & women who have fought for our country and continue to do so everyday so that we can have our freedom. Regardless of your political views or your opinion on the current situation in Iraq & Afghanistan, please take a moment today to remember and thank those who have served. These photos are of people who are important to me who have served our country.

Patrick (United States Marine Corps) and Butler (US Army) are two of my best friends. I've known them both for 15+ years and love them like brothers. They were both ushers in my wedding. Both of them fought in Iraq & Afghanistan and were deployed multiple times. My mother's father, my Grandpa Pete, fought in the Army during World War II. In my recent explorations of my parents' attic & storage unit I've come across lots of old pictures including these of Grandpa during his service days. I also found his dogtag from the Army and now wear it myself on occasion. The photo in the background of the collage is of the 88th Division Cemetery No. 3 near Florence, Italy. The picture was taken by my grandfather in 1944.

So as many of us enjoy our long weekend, let's not forget those who continue to fight so that we can enjoy the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.

Cheers!
{erica}

All you need is LOVE...

"General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around." {Love Actually}

That quote is the beginning of one of my very favorite movies, "Love Actually" and I find it particularly appropriate for Valentine's Day. Yes, it may be a "Hallmark holiday" but it's still a day to celebrate love. Any kind of love. As a wedding planner and happily married woman, I like to celebrate the romantic kind, but I'm also a big believer in the love between friends or siblings, between a parent & a child, between an aunt or uncle and their nieces & nephews. Regardless of romantic or marital status (on Facebook or in real life) we all have love to share and there is someone (or hopefully several someones) to share that love with! Oh- and those giant hearts made of chocolate covered peanut butter are a major plus to this holiday too!

Special blog love from me to my Valentines- my sweet husband, Steve & Norm the pug. And, of course, I can't forget about my fabulous clients + friends celebrating with their first Valentine's Day as an engaged couple or as husband + wife!

Top row (L to R): Adam + Jennifer 10/2/10~Brian + Katherine 7/3/10~ Erik + Meredith 11/6/10~ Johnny + Kelly 9/25/10
Middle row (L to R): Taylor + Katie 2011~ Logan + Jason 7/2/10~ Danny + Beth 10/9/10
Bottom row (L to R): Jennifer + Craig 7/11/09 {photo credit: Firefly Images} Me with Steve + Norm the pug {photo credit: Lucy Parker Photography} Matthew + Heather {photo credit: Kristin Byrum Photography} Mandie + Drew {photo credit: Bert Reed Photography}

Lots of love to you all!
{xoxo}