OUR WEDDING DAY

May 29, 2016, I married William Harrell.  Each May since, I enjoy reflecting on the details of the day. After becoming engaged in August of 2015, we spent our senior year together at Millsaps College planning what would become one of the happiest days of our lives.  It was a really tough time for both of us personally because in addition to his parents divorcing, my father had recently passed away after battling cancer for 18 months, and William lost his brother to a car accident all in the couple of years that we dated.  When I think about the months leading up to our wedding, I think of all of the stress and sadness we were experiencing, but I also think of all of the opportunities we took to lean on each other during those times. We chose to love each other and create our own happiness in a really tough time, and I am so happy that we did.  I’ll say here, that there is no way I could have done all of the planning without my wedding planner, Johnna Pyron. In addition to being a literal angel sent from God to help me through this time, she was so knowledgeable, had flawless taste, had tons of experience, and was so very kind. I can never repay her for all that she did.  William and I knew we wanted to move away and do our own thing for a while after graduating college, so we picked a date close to graduation so we wouldn’t have to hang around too long waiting for the wedding. I actually suggested we graduate at 10 am and get married at 6 the same day and holy moly, I’m so glad William talked me out of that one.  The date we chose was a Sunday, and I’m pretty sure I made the decision because the photographer I knew I wanted to use, Masa Kathryn, and the venue, The Old Capitol Inn, were available that day. We thought that having a Sunday wedding would make our wedding more low key (HA!) and have sort of a sweetness that comes with Sunday afternoons. Plus, everyone had the next day off  work because it was Memorial Day. I say ‘HA’ because we sent out 150 invitations and there were SO MANY people at our wedding that I could barely get out of the courtyard door to go down the aisle because people were standing up lining the walls like sardines. I think everyone who was invited came and brought a plus one and then more people came because William loved to say casually to friends and acquaintances, “Hey man, I’m getting married soon, you should come!”  Trying to remember what our wedding day was like only three years later is proving to be challenging, so I’m glad I’m doing this now and, hopefully, preserving some memories that I may forget if I wait any longer to write all of this down. It was a whirlwind of emotions and people pulling in different directions. “Where are my reception shoes?” “William forgot his tie.” “I need spanx!” “Are we having lunch?” “William won’t shave his mustache.” on and on. The best things I remember are the group pictures in the courtyard before the wedding, right after our first look.  It was at least 90 degrees outside. Everyone was super excited for the wedding and everyone was sweating bullets. There were pink flowers blooming everywhere, and even though the forecast called for thunderstorms, it was the most gorgeous sun-filled day. It was commotion and excitement, then complete silence when I went to the bridal room to await my turn to walk down the aisle. I highly recommend having your first look and group photos before the wedding. It’s so much fun, and gives you more time to enjoy your brand new husband after the wedding. The ceremony was super sweet.  We wrote our own vows. I uncontrollably sobbed. My friend, Kathryn Rooker Digennaro, told me a white dove flew over the floral arch during our ceremony. We ‘snuck’ away for a little alone time after the ceremony, had a few pictures taken, then headed to the reception. We danced to “Sunday Kind of Love,” never ate, and took a million pictures with our friends and family. At 9 o’clock we left the party through a sparkler tunnel and headed straight to McDonalds. We ate burgers and chicken nuggets in the hotel room and laughed at details from the day, while we stared at our new finger hardware.  We were so excited about the honeymoon in Antigua that we didn’t know how we would sleep that night. But we finally did, and I’ll never forget the peace and happiness I felt as I drifted to sleep in William’s arms. Belly full of nuggets, heart full of love.

WEDDING DETAILS:

VENUE: Old Capitol Inn, Jackson, MS

PHOTOGRAPHY: Masa Kathryn Photography 

VIDEOGRAPHY: Anna Barker, Thomas & Mckinley Gallagher

FLOWERS: Wendy Putt

DRESS: Allure Bridals

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Show Me Your Mumu

HAIR/MAKEUP: Sidney Tate

JEWELRY: Family heirlooms

SUIT:  The Rogue

INVITATIONS: Fresh Ink

You can shop my wedding shoes here : SHOES 

Watch our wedding video here: VIDEO

Barre and Brews

Holy Cow.  

Can I just start by saying that everyone who thinks Pure Barre is an “easy workout” is dead wrong.  That being said, I should also preface this with the fact that I haven’t attended a workout class in a solid 5 years, but do stroll with Hanson about 8 or so miles a week.  I took the class on Friday and I’m writing this on a Monday, still feeling the soreness in my stomach as I sit at my desk.  I was lured to the class with the promise of “brews” at the end of it, as part of a fun promotional class the Pure Barre studio in Jackson is offering at the courtyard at Highland Village called ‘Barre and Brews’. Hey, whatever it takes! Now, after feeling how many muscles I haven’t been using, I’ll for sure be back for more. At the class, I met up with one of my best friends, Summer, who is a regular with these kinds of workout classes.  When I asked her how often she takes them, she said, “3-4x a week”, very casually, yet, somehow simultaneously intimidatingly. Thinking I was in over my head, I started the class with a huge nervous-excited-ness about me. Even if I look crazy trying, at least I have a new Lululemon outfit and it’ll probably make a good story, right? The movements the instructor was having us do looked very easy, but let me tell you, they most certainly were not. She gave out commands like “tuck, hold, pulse” and although it was new, the lingo was easy to pick up and follow.  Pure Barre is essentially micro movements that isolate muscles you didn’t realize were there and tear them to shreds.  It does also tap into cardio, but not a ton.  I would say it’s 70% muscle toning and 25% cardio.  And 5% laying on the mat crying. I’m just kidding, it was actually very enjoyable. But, as I laid there out of breath on the mat, I realized that this is why Elle Woods knew Brooke Wyndham couldn’t have killed her husband. My endorphins were so electric, I literally turned to my friend Summer and said, “This is better than the cocktail!” Yes, the very cocktail that lured me there in the first place—but that was fun too. And although I am still very sore, I think you would want to feel like you’ve worked out if you’re going to the trouble of taking a work out class. I loved it, and, also loved the social set up of it, too.  I thought working out in the courtyard of Highland Village sounded a little intimidating, but it was very fun and made me work out a little bit harder knowing people were watching (probably laughing, but watching). 

I love that even when I’m just passing through, Jackson is my favorite city for visiting, shopping, dining, exploring, and more.  There’s always something fun to do in #mycity. Jackson friends, y’all have got to check Barre and Brews out.  It was oh-so-much fun!

#CityWithSoul #ExcerciseYourSoul #IndulgeYourSoul #MyCity #myJXN

MS Childrens' Museum

Jackson was my city while I was in school at Millsaps College , and it is now full circle as I get to bring my son here to Jackson to the children’s museum to play with friends and learn about both science and Mississippi.

From fishing for catfish in the man-made river, running through the playhouse-sized capitol building, dancing to Elvis records in the dance studio, to playing chef in the full-sized toddler kitchen, there was no shortage of things to do at the MS Children's museum.  In fact, after 4 hours of non-stop playing and learning, I think we left having tackled about half of what was offered.  Hanson’s favorite part of the children’s museum was the literacy garden located outside. There is a magical quality about it that I can't quite put my finger on. They had music playing over the loudspeaker-Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" being one of the songs played that sticks out in my memory.  Books and passages from nursery rhymes were read, there was a tree house for climbing, and interactive games offered by the staff. And ice cream sandwiches were enjoyed by all. Can’t forget those! 

I'm not going to lie, it may have been just as much fun for me as an adult as it was for my son, Hanson.  We seriously had so much fun and the employees of the museum were so kind and generous to us throughout our day there.  I definitely recommend making a day of going and enjoying all that this incredible place has to offer.

After being away so long, it was great to be back in my old city. And, Jackson is still my city for entertainment! Thank you so much for having us, @mschildsmuseum ! #MyCity#CitywithSoul #VisitJacksonMS#JacksonMS #EntertainYourSoul