Baylor Homecoming

"Because of what Baylor has meant to you in the past, because of what she will mean to you in the future, oh, my students, have a care for her. Build upon the foundations here the great school of which I have dreamed, so that she may touch and mold the lives of future generations and help to fit them for life here and hereafter. To you seniors of the past, of the present, of the future I entrust the care of Baylor University. To you I hand the torch. My love be unto you and my blessing be upon you." -Samuel Palmer Brooks, 1931

I love Baylor.

After graduating in May, I've been fortunate to not be "cut off" entirely from college world. I spent two full months in Waco this summer as I searched for my first job, and I've been back to visit at least twice a month for football games and to see that special guy of mine. Even though I've been a Waco regular, my first Homecoming as a Baylor alum was better than I ever dreamed. You think Homecoming is amazing as an undergrad? Just wait until you graduate. The feeling of returning to campus to celebrate your alma mater is magical.

I took Friday off of work to fully embrace the weekend's festivities... breakfast with Kaitlyn at Cafe Cappuccino, surprising Meredith at work, dinner with Thomas, Clara and Laura at Rosati's, the Homecoming bonfire and pep rally, followed by an engagement party for our friends Adrienne and Zach. And that was just one day!

One of our all-time favorite couples, Sterling and Meredith.

The Kriegels

Congratulations Adrienne!

Saturday morning came too early, but after grabbing Starbucks (the line at Common Grounds was wayyyy too long), Thomas and I were ready to go watch the parade. Baylor's Homecoming parade is the largest collegiate parade in the country, and the floats students build are incredible. It was fun to watch this year as a spectator, but to be honest, we were so busy walking through the crowds to visit with friends that before I knew it, the parade was over.

With Thomas and my beautiful future sister-in-law, Clara.

Sisters at the ADPi Breakfast in Burleson Quadrangle.

Thomas and some of his awesome fraternity brothers.

ADPi's adorable float - "See You At the Mad Tea Party." Each chair at the table was a different Big XII school. Note the A&M chair to the left. :)

Before seeing the afternoon performance of Pigskin Revue, after which we raced to Floyd Casey for the football game and another Baylor victory.

I am so very thankful for Baylor University. I've been blessed with irreplaceable friendships, lifelong memories and a many years to come of continuing to love the green and gold.

"... return to campus to renew former associations and friendships, and catch the Baylor spirit again." -First-Ever Homecoming Invitation to Alumni, 1909

Grown-Up Wish List

I once read a wedding blog that explained perfectly the emotions and mindset associated with creating a registry.

"It’s kind of a strange thing, registering. You go through the store and pick out all of these things that you want, and then you go home and remind yourself that none of them are currently actually yours." -Anne over at Delightfully Engaged

And it's very true! We had so much fun creating a wish list for our life together, but at the same time it was weird to go "shopping" and come home empty-handed.

A few weekends ago, Thomas came to Austin to visit, and while he was here we created our registries at Bed Bath & Beyond and Crate & Barrel I now have images of bath towels and bedding floating in my head, and I can just imagine Thomas and myself in the kitchen, cooking up a storm with the gadgets and appliances we added to our list.

We started at Bed Bath & Beyond, where we got our first little dose of reality. The registry consultant led us to the bath section and instructed us to pick out a shower curtain with matching towels. Thomas and I stood there for a few minutes, trying to come to a decision on something we hadn't really discussed. When you're booking the church and researching bakeries and florists, you don't take time to think about interior decor for your future home. I know we'll be in Austin, but haven't the faintest idea about where we'll be living or how many bed/bathrooms we'll have. It took a few minutes for us to come to our senses, relax and not get overwhelmed with the our choices, and we quickly agreed on a shower curtain we both loved. It was the first of many little victories that day!

He had too much fun with that little scanner.

Didn't think we'd find bedding we liked at Bed Bath & Beyond, but we were in luck. What we love about this grey duvet cover is that we can pair it with any color. Maybe yellow? Or navy?

The day was so wonderful, and it worked out perfectly that the next day Crate & Barrel was hosting a private registry party for engaged couples. We went after church on Sunday, before the store opened to the public, and registered for our place settings, flatware and other home accessories.

After registering at Crate & Barrel, Thomas and I met my parents for brunch at Roaring Fork.

Registering with Thomas got me that much more excited about our approaching wedding day. I can't wait to decorate and create a cozy place where we can relax at the end of a long work day, someplace where we feel completely at home!

Thankful

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

This Thanksgiving, I'm so humbled by God's faithfulness to provide and His love that sustains me.

Last year, Thomas and I spent Thanksgiving with the Reeds in Memphis, and this year he's joining me in Austin to celebrate with my family. I'm thankful that this Thanksgiving is just a preview of the holidays to come once we're married. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, curling up on the couch to watch the Macy's parade, cooking and eating with family... in 268 days, Thomas and I will be husband and wife and we'll be together for every holiday. So very thankful for him!

I'm thankful for my wonderful family. Sarah came home from school on Tuesday and we've already had so many laughs. She's so darn smart and was just elected to executive board of Alpha Delta Pi at Tech. So proud of her! I have the greatest parents too, and I'm so thankful for the blessings of living at home with them until I'm married!

I have so much more to be thankful for this year... graduating from Baylor in May, having incredible friends that love me and challenge me, even from afar, and being blessed by a wonderful job that I enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Hope you all enjoy time to relax and reflect on God's goodness with family and friends this week!

To Have and to Hold

I'm behind in my blogging (still to come: wedding registries and Baylor Homecoming), but I'm going against my need to be chronological so that I can blog about a really special weekend.

On Friday night, Thomas and I met nine other couples (including our friends Kendra and Christian) in Salado to attend a "Countdown to Marriage" retreat. The weekend was put on by Legacy Family Ministries, an organization that exists to prepare engaged couples for Christ-centered marriages. We heard about it through our church in Waco, and though they offer a six-week class at Highland, we knew that a three-day weekend retreat was best for us since we have a long distance engagement and can't be in the same place every week.

It was absolutely incredible.

We laughed, we cried and we prayed, and along the way we learned even more about each other as future husband and wife. Our group sessions covered God's purpose for marriage, roles and responsibilities for husbands and wives, finances, emotional and spiritual intimacy, and communication. There was also plenty of free time built in for the two of us. Venturing off on the nature trails to talk, sitting in rocking chairs looking at the stars, playing a life-size game of checkers... it was so wonderful to disconnect from the demands of school and the working world and just spend time together.

"God created marriage, so only He can sustain it." I know that because of this weekend, our vows will be even more meaningful. When I walk down the aisle on August 18 to become Mrs. Reed, the covenant Thomas and I make to each other will be stronger because of the Lord's work in our hearts this weekend.

Summer's Mill outside of Salado

Kendra and I were in 304 and the boys were next door

The cute little lodge where we had our sessions.

We had a few hours on Saturday afternoon to go into downtown Salado, and Kendra and I felt like we were in Pinterest heaven.

With Christian and Kendra, whose wedding is in July!

I would recommend Legacy to any engaged couple. The time you spend preparing for your marriage before it even begins will be sweet and irreplaceable, and I can't quite put into words how much this ministry has impacted our lives and relationship.

Thank you, Byron and Carla Weathersbee for your heart for engaged couples and for being a wonderful resource for Thomas and me for years to come!