Moved By Words

I stumbled upon a blog I used to follow and read an endearing quote in reference to helping someone find a relationship with God,

"With the Lord as my strength I will stay the course! [They are] very special to me. I can't imagine heaven without [them]! With you on one side, us on the other and the Lord before [them, they] have nowhere else to go but up!"

My heart stopped at the thought of expressing to someone, "I can't imagine heaven with you!" Doesn't everyone deserve to hear that? And wasn't that how Jesus truly and authentically made everyone around him feel? I pray to live a life with that heart for those around me! So if you need some motivation to hang in there, know that heaven would NOT be the same without YOU!

xo

School of Marriage

Hi friends! It's hard to believe today is the first day of school for student in Athens, and many others have already been back in the swing of things for over a week. I'm not the one heading into a semester of course work, exams and projects, but I very much feel like I am since today is my Taylor's first day of graduate school.

With My By Myself

Have you ever stayed in a hotel by yourself? And not just in a room to yourself, but in a new city without knowing anyone else? On Friday evening, after running a ceremony rehearsal at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn, I checked in at 200 Main by myself for the evening.

After checking in I grabbed dinner to go at a local burrito place, made myself comfy by watching HGTV and finally updating the blog. I also had time to think through any last minute updates for the wedding the next day, take a bubble bath and simply relax. I tend to be a huge worrier when I'm alone and freak myself out by hearing "sounds" and assuming there is an ax murderer on the loose if Taylor is not right next to me...I didn't get the best sleep in the world but it was certainly an interesting experience to say the least.

Have you ever traveled alone overnight? If so, do you like it or does it give you anxiety? Perhaps I should have poured myself a fat glass of wine and called it a night ;)

// Image via Southern Charm //

Slow & Steady

Does anyone else feel like July was...slow? In the best way possible? I had a month break in-between weddings from the end of June to the end of July which was certainly a blessing. Not that the month hasn't still been filled with work, but it can be nice to experience real weekends every once and a while. Instead of Friday Notes, I thought I would share what I was grateful for in the month of July:

July started off with a trip up to the north Georgia mountains to a lake house with my in-laws. I cherish my time with Taylor's parents who truly feel like an a second set of parents. The photo above is of Taylor and I bonding in the most temperamental canoe...hence why I am not rowing. Or moving!

I organized my first official styled shoot at Creature Comforts Brewing Company with an amazing team of vendors, and learned A TON about the real logistics behind photo shoots. Challenges pop up, just like on a wedding day, but it's certainly easier than dealing with the stress of running a ceremony!

Half way through the month I traveled to beautiful Highlands, North Carolina for a final walk through for a wedding that is actually this weekend! I continue to be amazed by the opportunities put before me to work with such talented creatives and sweet families. Downtown Highlands is absolutely darling and I'm excited to be staying at 200 Main this weekend and have my own personal getaway :)

We went on vacation with my family to St. George Island, Florida and had one of the most relaxing weeks I can remember in a looong time. I read Bridge to Haven in TWO days while it was rainy, played Scrabble with my mom, Rummikub with my sister, got some color on the beach and sipped on my mom's mean margaritas daily.

The family vacation was the perfect treat before jumping into another wedding weekend - this time at Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club. The month ended with T and I celebrating 6 years of being together (dating + engagement + marriage). All in all it was an incredible month, with a leisure pace. One thing I wish I had done differently in July was being more consistent with my PowerSheets. Luckily, I ordered my next 6 month set and am ready to push the re-start button to continue to MAKE 2014 HAPPEN!

How was your month and your summer as a whole? I can't believe August is here!

xo

Cultivate Truth

Life throws many loops and it seems that the more I think I've arrived to a state of normalcy, the more loops arrive in LOUD and obvious ways. Perhaps my biggest loop currently is navigating changing relationships and knowing how to cultivate more honest and authentic friendships- despite disappointments or being hurt.

Over & Out

Today is my last day at my part time job!! It's bittersweet for sure...mostly sweet...but I am truly amazed by the encouragement and support from my coworkers for this decision and next step in life. It's weird to think how much has changed in a matter of a year.

Over the Weekend

I love long weekends, but they certainly make me anxious over how quickly a week can go by! I have a wedding this coming weekend so instead of getting nervous or stressed, I am going to focus on the fun that was had this past weekend.

Taylor and I got to our hotel early Friday evning, did a little exploring and quickly got ready so we could pick up tickets to the show at Station Inn. Being the newbies that we were, we had no idea most people stay at the venue once they buy tickets because seats are hard to come by and it gets very crowded quickly. We cancelled our dinner reservation and just grabbed pizza and beer from the bar while waiting for the show to start. The Steeldrivers were amazing and it's a true testament to an artist when they sound just as good (or better) live than on an album. I am already dying to see them again in August at Terminal West!

After the show we went back to our hotel to grab a drink and food at Bar Lines. A band was performing and the amount of women on the dance floor made me feel like I was back at a wedding reception. Taylor could not be convinced to get out and dance, which was probably for the best...

The next morning we got breakfast at the in-house restaurant, Kitchen Notes, and were stuffed to our heart's content with coffee and southern fixins. We strolled through the Music City Walk of Fame (to work off our breakfast) and then went out to the rooftop pool for a little sun and relaxation.

After checking out of the hotel, we did some window shopping at Two Old Hippies, then lunch at Cantina Laredo. The margaritas were refreshing and the table side guacamole was nothing short of perfection. If that combo doesn't get you ready for summer I don't know what does.

Next we drove to our friend's house where we would be spending Saturday night and headed out for a 7 mile canoe ride down the Harpeth River. We rewarded ourselves with dinner at The Loveless Cafe and I consumed more buttered biscuits than I dare to share.

Once we were back at Casey & Brittany's home to unwind, we watched Field of Dreams - a classic baseball movie I had never seen (which if you know my husband is quite shocking). Although the movie isn't a new favorite, I'm sure I would have a greater appreciation if I were a boy who grew up playing catch. Sunday morning we had breakfast together before T and I got on the road, and took some photos with our friend's huge Newfoundland- Norman! Isn't his facial expression hilarious?!

All in all, it was an incredible anniversary weekend filled with the people I love, good food, drinks and lots of laughs. Can't wait to go back to Nashville in August!

xo

Updates and Such

Blogging has felt more few and far between this May since after a month off, I was back at my part-time job most mornings from about 7 to 11. Well, that's all about to change since I actually put my two-weeks notice in yesterday and will be done on May 30th.

You Got This!

Sending some extra love out to T as he has an interview with Archway Partnership for an assistantship! No matter the outcome, I am just so grateful God continues to confirm that this is what he should be doing - going to business school right here in Athens. But I would also love for him to get the full scholarship :) You got this, Taylor!!

// Photo from our recent trip to Columbia, SC //

Reality Check

It can be hard to navigate how personal to be in the blog-osphere and I did not really want to write this post. But of course the point in being open is to realize there are other women out there going through the same things and are willing to build up a community of support, right?! So here it goes.

Resembling Normalcy

After 3 back-to-back events this weekend I am aching for a more routine schedule with work and taking care of things around the house. I especially want to make sure T feels loved this week! He helped so much over the weekend - and not just by lifting heavy things, but by encouraging me and relieving any of the stress I felt with positive affirmation.

We kept our Easter Sunday pretty low key with brunch at Last Resort Grill and a trip to the park with the pups. Who's ready to tackle the new week with me?!

xo

Staying Invested

Back in January when I started working on my PowerSheets, I picked my word for 2014 which was (and is): INVEST. As a transitive verb, by definition it means, "(1) to make use of for future benefits or advantages, (2) to involve or engage especially emotionally." My thought process was that my big picture goals require small decisions of investment that will prayerfully achieve the greater goal.

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Happiest of birthdays to the one my soul loves! Taylor you are my very best friend and favorite person in the universe and I could not be more grateful that YOU were born 26 years ago. Here are 26 things I absolutely adore about you:

Over the Weekend

This past weekend was one for the books. The weather was perfect, we ate good food, we drank good drinks, and we spent time with some of our favorite people. Oh, and we celebrated T's birthday.

Friday Notes 01

With three separate trips to Atlanta this week I am wiped out. Wedding season is right around the corner so I am protecting my free weekends like a hawk and embracing the fact that not making plans does not mean I'm less busy. In fact my free time is focused on what matters most- being with Taylor and resting. Rest is so essential and we shouldn't feel guilty for enjoying it! I hope everyone has a nice and easy weekend.

An interesting list...although I feel like I already enjoyed most by my early twenties.

We could all learn to say this more effectively.

Since I love simple lists, these marriage tips are perfect.

No-bake St. Patrick's cereal bars!

Hahahaha

Lovely (and moody) prints

CAMP is starting back up! Woohoo!

// Top photo of the little bunny during morning snuggles. Kola is getting so big! //

Normal-Towners for Two More Years!

Perhaps the biggest update to my life within that past couple blog-less months has been that God has answered a long-awaited prayer for T's next step in his career and I would love to fill you in.

We spent the last 2 years focusing and investing towards him attending PA school. He went back and took pre-requistite classes at night while working full time. He worked for a year in the ER as a tech to gain more experience and add hours to his application. He shadowed PA's, retook the GRE, rewrote his essay and applied to schools all along the east coast. To say I wanted him to enjoy the fruits of his labor would be a complete understatement.

A Reevaluated Year

Hi friends! I made it a goal to write a post this month and here I am, 8 PM on January 31st so how is that for procrastination? Recently, I've been priding myself in a lot more goal-setting and goal-accomplishing and I am excited to finally share the process and get caught up on the last 3+ months…

Two Years of Blogging

I can't believe it's been 2 years since I started Young Love in Normaltown. To think about how different life was just two years ago seems wild! God is leading every step of my journey through marriage and the best career I could ask for. I also want to thank YOU for stopping by and sharing my little corner of the blogosphere. Now that I have a new laptop I am hoping to streamline posts with consistency and more updates on life in Normaltown :)

xx,

Marilisa

Falling Already

The weather was perfectly crisp this weekend and I am really hoping it's not some cruel tease before going back to hot days. I hope everyone had a nice weekend! I am two weeks behind in blogging-catch up, but I'm going to give myself a break considering how wonderfully-wild life and work have been.

Work & Play

I had to take a few days this week to get fully caught up with work- especially since 3 out of the last 5 days included time in Atlanta. No complaints here though! I feel like I'm finding my groove in juggling a great event next week, a couple day-of-coordination weddings this fall and getting ready for large full-planning weddings next spring.

Sometimes I can get so caught up in the thrill of design inspiration and loving what I do that I forget to turn around from my desk and take care of the chaos that is my house :) Thankfully Taylor is super patient with me as I figure out the best balance for life and working from home (or a coffee shop). Besides work, I feel so excited by so many new friendships in my life and God filling my time with great girls to reach out to. Even though there are still many aspects to my future that feel so unclear, I am soaking in this time of refreshing when everything just seems to be going really well!

xo

// Image via Prepaganda //