"Weekend Update..."

It was March 24th 2006 . . . on a cold dreary night. I assure you it was a night unlike any other night I have experienced so far. It was dark. It was late. And. . . and well... Colin and I were about to drive for 3 hours non-stop, that night, to Fredericksburg!!!!!

Hahkay so...
I get to his place around 10 PM, pop the trunk, and go inside to retrieve Colin, and of course hug Patric goodbye. I helped Colin with his bags and headed down the stairs. He, (and yes I said HE) had more than me!) (But the camera bag, well ok minus that, we were even!) This brings me to a random question. Do you ever keep an emergency bag? You know, that bag that has an extra pair of jeans, socks, and $20 in it, ok no, not that $20 but in theory that should be in there! Yes, Laura does and I never leave home without one. Anywho - we arranged the trunk/car so I and he could exsist in a comfortable 3.5 hour situation and we were off. "Are you hungry?" he said. Turning my head I replied, "Are you kidding, I just played 5 games in 1 hour, no mercy, kill them or kill yourself kinda ball, and your asking if I'm hungry!?!" SHEETZ OR DIE (If they made a T-shirt saying that, heck what am I saying, I'll design one! and Colin and I will invest in one, well two - one for my emergency bag "ahcourse"!) What did we buy at this place called SHEETZ you ask? ONLY the essentials I say, I equipped myself with a tall refreshing hot pink Lizard Lava Sobe (if you know where the Cotton Connection is, and you have nothing to do between 9 and 5, Monday through Friday, feel free to drop in with one of these for a "I Love Laura gift" ANYTIME! Hehe ok, ok back on track) grabbing some Twizzlies (strawberry for a change) and, the ever so popular, hurt the roof our your mouth, Sour Patch Kids - THE ORANGE ONES ARE CRUCIAL! Colin stocked up on, two hot dogs with chili (he might have gotten four, you never know, and ENERGY DRINKS - cause we had a long road ahead, he's always thinking. A tank of gas and we were GO for LUNCH...uh i mean...LAUNCH! Now ya know what makes roadtrips, really count as a roadtrip? An iTrip. Do you people know what this is? And by "you people" I mean the MAC deprived! You simply plug it in the base of youp iPod and it plays your uploaded music from a local unused radio frequency. Sweet huh? So a little Dick Redding, Donovan Frankenreiter, Jack Johnson, and what was that other one honey? OH YEAH - Jamie Cullum!!!! Only the SOLE reason we are on this road to begin with!! (oh and of course to him -see/me -meet miss Aimee!)

2:40 AM: We arrived in Lake of the Woods, a gated community in Fredericksburg and home to one of Colin's dearest friends, Aimee, and Family. We whisper, walked in, and we were finally there. Colin went and woke up Aimee and I was greeted by the sweetest note on my pillow:

Laura-
PLEASE make yourself at home! You're welcome to anything in the bathroom/shower. Get some rest and have a great time in DC tomorrow. :o) *Aimee*
P.S. I hope you're not a light sleeper, I'll be up for work @5am tomorrow. I'm sorry in advance if I wake you, you can yell @ me later :o)

(I saved the note since it was so cute!) Well, despite the hour, I got to finally meet her and she is adorable. Colin's smile would tell you how close these two are. She is so fun ~ and not to mention the BEST hostest ever. The loft was home for me. There was a fold-out couch that was ready and waiting, towels at the end of it, and a comfy pillow, all laid out for me. Until that night I couldn't think of ONE reason that was good to have this horrible ruptured ear drum, I slept like a rock. It allowed me to sleep through her getting up and ready, a tired and hungry baby waking and breakfast being made down below. Colin came and woke me up, which I can think of no better alarm than that, and we made our way down to breakfast. I met Anna (Aimee's twin sister) and her little angel, Gail and Gary (Aimee's sweet, sweet parents) and we all sat down for famous "Original Pancakes" and "get to know eachother" conversation. Aimee and her family are orginally from California where Colin is from and thus, I got the scoop on the old days, what's new Colin's life, and the tramatic amount of Waffle Houses on the East Coast. So fellow east coasterners, I ask you this, why are we such waffle eating rednecks?

Jeans, my favorite peasant top, and Ralph Lauren Jacket later, I was ready to go. Colin was ready too, surprisingly. No I'm kidding he is very on time, IN HIS DREAMS! No really, he is wonderful. So we pack up the lap-tops (yes I said it) and we made our way to this "Laura you are gonna LOVE" place he kept talking about. But first, we made a stop that I was quite excited about. We were going to pick up some BURRRRITO O'HEAVEN - Chipotle' if you will, and bring it to my girl Raygan for lunch. Stuffed from breakfast, Colin and I regret, we ourselves, could partake in none, but getting to see her, healed that wound quickly. So a "Hello and a Here Ya Go" was made, and we hugged "see ya next weekend" no "goodbyes" later, we were back in the car and off to our destination numero uno! "Laura do you have the keys?!?" "NO!!!" - My heart sunk like the Titanic, we were gonna have to call a locks smith and were never gonna get to where we were going!! Then i heard it...the jingle of keys...I looked at him he had that the devious toddler look on his face, and I added a sigh relief behind it all ~ haha he is always full of jokes! "GET IN!" I laughed. I couldn't wait to see where we were going. We got back on Rt. 1 to I 95- and headed onward. There is was - Potomac Mills - I had only heard about this place, but never really been there. Talk about SHOPPING - this was like the cherry on the ice cream of my life. CRAZY - it had everything OUTLET STYLE! (Forever 21, Charlotte Russe (picked up a pair of jeans for $4.99, locked myself out of the dressing room, but my shuga - with his 6'4" build complete with go go gadget arms, unlocked it from below), Nine West, H&M (this one is new to me and fantastic! Colin picked up a HOTT pair of jeans, "powerbook perfect" Cargo bag, snuggly, comfy green tee and an alterable cream pin-stripe blazer that he look soo great in!) Also, Ralph Lauren/POLO, Jones New York, GAP, Abercrombie, Love Sac (Colin and I lounged here - and with this store comes a fun lil' story: We walk in and Colin points out the sac that Brad has. We sit, well I sat, he FLOPPED into it and just relaxed for bit. Little did we know that the simple recognition and reciting of a Postal Service lyric would lead to almost a half hour conversation with our new friend Justin, the Love Sac Salesman extroidenare!) Justin talked of his band, similar to Postal Service, Colin and him exchanged band banter, and then we learned of the love of his life, whom left him and he fell hard for...on and on and on, but even after all that, we still thought this guy was pretty cool.) So onward we ventured, the entire time, my hand never left his (except to swipe our cards, dressing room fiascos, and sliding down railings - yeah that one...was all him)...I think that was the best part of the whole shopping experience. Or that part of the time - he was my belt. . .don't ask. After an eventful day of bags and bargains, we hit up our next must-stop-spot, Chipotle'
- did I mention this was the place that Lynchburg must add to it's slight list of wonderful places to go when you are appetitizing some from oh none other than HEAVEN! And - we sat like that precious old couple in a booth on the SAME SIDE, it was adorable. After filling our tummies, we went to IKEA, furnished our future pad in our minds, and grabbed some Cold Stone ice cream before heading to Panera for some parking action. And by "parking" I mean, if our computers could fog up windows - we could have written this blog on them!!! Yep, we stole their wireless from the comforts of my mustang's two front seats! Of course we got the occasional eye rolls from random "walker byers" - but that doesn't stop people like us. And I love soo much that he loves to do what I do!! We are Panera Pirates and we are OK with that! So after the typing competition, cracking up at eachother for what we were actually doing, and exchanging the last ice cream scoops, we were off to none other than OUR FIRST MOVIE!! We saw "Failure To Launch" - it was really really good, two thumbs up not only for the flick, but for the whole theater experince. Now maybe it's just me - but yeah this movie theater was WAY more awesome than any other I have ever been to. "Let me 'splain': 1) You can get your tickets like ATM action. 2) You can walk right up to these automated machines that suck your card in like Target - pick you movie out like the Sheetz MTO, and they come out like Showbiz tickets on the Skeeball game! This was something people. 3) (should be #1) the arm thing that divides your seat/aka cup holder, lifts up so you can snuggle with your man ~ how FANTASTIC is that?!? - it was like we had a love seat. Not be confused with Love Sac - though that would be CRUCIAL if they offered that option - wait I should retract that statement, and invent that! ISAC = the new IMAX - we are go for take off - don't steal my idea!!! So after the show, at this point, I believe the clock was striking mid-night.

We decided to call it a night and head back to Fredericksburg - to Aimee's and try and get some rest in here somewhere. But of course before we said goodnight - like we always do - we told eachother how much we loved in eachother in the only language either of us understand. . ."Laura, you are the only Widget in my Dashboard." "Colin you are the Application in my Dock." Hahahaha ~ "You are the only thing that charges my battery." "You are the only key on my keyboard" "Colin, you put the "Mighty" in my Mouse"... My stomach is still hurting from laughing so much, but the worst part is, we had to be completely quiet this whole time. It was like standing in a field of landmines, we were surrounded by sleeping bodies, and we didn't want to wake anyone at that hour. Hugs goodnight, he was off to his bed, after tucking me Chipotle' style in mine. He is the best, I remember watching him walk away, I couldn't stand it, so I jumped up - after intense trials and error (boy can he tuck in!!) and leaned over the balcony to say my last goodnights. . He refused to climb up my hair, I guess I didn't look enough like Repunzal I don't know, but I signed "I love you" through the railings, and blew him a kiss goodnight. Time to sleep.

"Colin, my oh my what did you eat, your breath...?!? And oh honey uh shuga, you need to shave, your nose is freezing, baby, stop with the licking that is gross I'm getting up, I'm getting up!! (EYES OPEN) Zach!!!!!!!!!! (Aimee's 11 year old Jack Russel) Awww ahaha, Hi shugs...What are you doing up here, waking me up, did Colin send you to do his dirty work. Oh, Uh, Oh Ok....(Instantly this little thing rolls on his back, and wants you to rub his tummy) Ok babies, I'll rub ya tummy, and we layed there for about 10 minutes, I thinking of Colin, Zach thinking of Colin's shoes perhaps. None the less, both thinking of yummy things!! Aimee greets me with a tooth brush in mouth smile, Zach's smelled the breakfast downstairs, and I decided it was time to get up! After a fantastic breakfast with a equal side of conversation about Mexican Food and how once again the East Coast is no match to the West in that category - the shower was calling my name. So I ventured up the steps, and a good hot shower, blow dry, and a flat iron later, I was ready! Colin had time to catch up on lost time with Aimee, and we were off. Hugs, Sincere Thanks Yous, and Goodbyes were exchanged and we shut the doors in her driveway to make our way to the big District.

Ah once again, thank you iTrip - we arrived around 4PM and did some searching (thanks mapquest) for 9:30 and found not only that, but our future row house as well!! I mean we have to have some where to put all those fantastic IKEA treasures don't we?!?!? "Oh honey!! Look at that house surround by EVERY cop car in the whole wide world, those people will be forced out soon, bet we can get that one for half atleast!!" No kidding - when we passed I heard "Bad Boys, Bad Boys Whatcha Gonna Do" echoing in the background. Colin steps on the gas at this point -He says, "If we are gonna speed, now is the time!!" (gripping the door frame, eyes shut tightyly and biting my lower lip) "Uhh...you got it babe, go for it!" (Dang CALIFORNIA DRIVERS!!) He was weaving like a New York Taxi driver on a Friday Night! To my surprise - we made it safe and sound to a local corner Starbucks where they hire NO ONE that smiles. Colin applied there and he couldn't finish the application because it said in BOLD Print at the top - If you smile, laugh at yourself or anyone else, can take a joke or show your teeth at any moment other than to smeer at a friendly costumer you need not apply! LOL anyways - we had our "Quad Venti Mocha Frappucino with Whip and Chocolate and Caramel Drizzle" and sat down, to a nice lesson from my recently turned foreign boyfriend ( he likes to talk in funny voices for some reason - and I love that) on the essentials to cutting and pasting in photoshop. "Hah k, so, this sis Aphotohshhopp, Hah K - Ah nice ffphoto you weould say, Hah k soh..." it went on and on - soooo funny. AH THERE THEY ARE!! In walk our friends - Matthew, Ryan David and his lil sweetie, Sarah! Nice of you guys to join us!! It was the moment we had all be waiting for - Jamie Cullum folks - if ya didn't have tickets - so sad. This was one concert that will go down in history - and not just cause it took place in WASHINGTON D.C.! Jamie Cullum was amazing - check him out if ya don't know. (ah not yet - visit that when you're done there fella!) So after a night of fantastic music,in my ear, yeah ear...and Colin's arms around my waist, I will hands down call it a night to remember. The lights, the people, the line!, and my boyfriend who I didn't think could get more fantastic - I was wrong. He continues to surprise me, like notes on my pillow kinda surprises (thanks Aimee), those Zach in the morning kisses, SUPA cars cutting you off any moment, cold stone Mocha Mojo, finding "that" perfect pair of black shoes, the silent but deadly fog machine (aka Matt Mackey) emissions in the middle of a song clearing the crowd, and finally... on the road to home, being behind 4 GIANT beer silohs, that EVERY stop light had to be lifted by crane, then turned. and put back again to let them pass before we could, making a trip that was supposed to take 3 and half hours, more like 6 hours... kinda surprises! Yeah he's that good! I love you Colin!

"I'm With The Sound Guy..."

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
(uh...a lil late, but better late than never huh?)

So if you don't already know Colin is amazingly talented. (Just thought I'd put that out there first thing.) Last night the band that he mixes for "Six Chasing Seven" was playing at "Neighbor's Place" (a local restaurant/bar) for St. Patrick's Day. I had a volleyball game so I came late, and styling in adidas warm-ups at that! Of course my best friend Britni was with me, as always, we live for the local entertainment nights in Lynchburg. We walk in, and the place is packed. We sniped a sweet parking place right up front though - that was key. (Some old couple that probably thought Matt was the devil.) So of course, Colin always takes my breath away when I see him, HUG, and I was golden. All night, I just stood beside him (except for the time I almost knocked over his WHOLE operation - eh uh sorry hunnie!! ) and I loved it ~ just being near him was and is enough. The guys did such a good job, and it was Matt's 23rd birthday - so that was a bonus!

It's night's like last that really stand out as great ones in my mind. You have a pretty decent day at work - then the BEST BOYFRIEND in the whole entire world comes to visit you right before you clock out (and fixes your retarded email account too), go home spend some time with the roomies, next getcha game face on - head to the gym, kick some butt (and send an old lady packing when you hit the ball so outta control that it takes her straight down, sorry!!!!), then right back to the one spot you can't wait to be in, right beside the man you love more than ANYTHING in the whole world. SO yeah I would say that I had a pretty good St. Patrick's Day. How was yours?

How Much I Miss Him...

How do you miss someone so much? How do you miss someone so much when you just saw them minutes before? How do you miss someone so much when you simply close your eyes even when they are right in front of you?

Yesterday I went to lunch with my mom, and my two best friends to the restaurant where he works (too much might I add). The one thing I love about Colin is how he committed he is to whatever is front of him. He is so focused on the task. And whatever he does, he puts all of his effort towards it. It's in moments like these, that he challenges me to be motivated at what I do. He makes me want to be more creative and more devoted to my work. I love how he inspires me to be more than I am, everyday. That evening he was leaving around 3:00PM to mix sound for the band he is a HUGE part of in Richmond. I wanted to go, but my ruptured LIFE, I mean ear drum wouldn't allow that. So as I left the restaurant I gave him one last hug before we left, and then grabbed his hand and felt it linger for a moment and then slip away, it was awful. I just wanted to stay and hug him forever. As I turned, I watched him go back to work, and I started to miss him. And it wasn't the regular kind of "miss" it was a longing, and ache. I mean, I missed him like he was leaving for months, not just 20 hours, it was crazy. So I got in my car, turned on the radio, and drove back home. The whole ride home, as beautiful as it was, windows down, warm air all around me, I still didn't quite enjoy it as much as I would have with him beside me. You see, life, my life has been enhanced since he has become a part of it. He just makes the mornings brighter, the evenings more warm and calm, and my whole self better when I think of him, see him, talk to him. He is my true God send. I can feel God's embrace all around us, and that is truly amazing. I pray that I continue to miss him everytime we're apart, and miss him like I did on this day.

You Know It's Love When...

You know it's love when:

... As long as you're with him, you're happy - no matter how many ruptured ear drums you have

... He could tell you he loved you a million times, and you still want to hear it one more time

... You would do anything for him, even if it didn't benefit you

... You love wearing his T-shirts

... That moment when he takes your hand, you think about it for the next 5 minutes

... The make-up doesn't seem to matter as much

... His smell is the best thing ever!

... You love buying him "no reason" gifts, just to see that smile

... Your time together goes by so fast

... You don't put him anywhere but second on your life list

... You can be satisfied with a Friday night in your pajamas, movie, macs (had to throw that in there baby) and java chip icecream.

... What is sooo gross on someone else, is cute on him

... You like folding his clothes, making his bed, cleaning his room, all the things you can't stand to do for yourself

... You know his favorite things and actually remember them

... Hang on tight to your phone when you know he's gonna call

... Your friends tell you to talk about him way to much, but they have never seen you happier

... You can't imagine a time that you would get mad at him, and stay mad, not possible with him

... Everytime you see him, its like the first time

... Everytime you kiss him, its like the first time

... You can trust him in any situation, no matter what that situation might be, you know you are enough for him


... And most of all ... You can't think of a single person that God made better for you. You make sense when you are with him, you are challenged to become more than you are, you are blessed in countless ways just by knowing him, and being loved by him, that is the greatest gift God has ever given you.


I can't tell you all enough how much I love this boy...

"Just Because..."

So this is a story about an event that happened a couple weeks ago, but I feel NEEDS to be told, so here it goes:



So picture this and I was planning on hanging out with her that night, nothing over the top, just some quality time. If I remember correctly I believe I was going to her volleyball game with her for the first time. Just to watch. Thinking nothing of it, I was sitting in class just like every other day of my life, and IM'ing people in class just like I always do...(oh being able to multi task is so nice. Without it, I would be able to listen to the lecture, take notes in Micrsoft Word, check my e-mail, IM Laura, write a blog while checking my comments, and still have time to talk to the person next to me...) Well, now that you know what I do in class, here's where the story gets good.
So I was sitting there in Annoucing class, making a recording of my stellar radio voice (ya sure...), when an IM pops up on my screen from Laura. Of course, my initial reaction was a smile on the outside and a "WOOHOO!" on the inside. I type back to her, making typical IM small talk, throwing out on occasion the three letters that make every IM'er a liar (L-O-L...because 9 times out 10, everyone knows you're REALLY not laughing...). She then proceeds to grace my IM window with this statement: "Hey, I got you something today..." Immediately stoked I proceed to ask, "What is it?! When Can I get it!?" (because anyone who knows me, knows I L-O-V-E love gifts!) She then decided she was gonna play the "keep-it-cool" card and inform me that, "It's nothing big, really...It's little I'll just stop by your house after work."
In my mind, from this point until I held it in my hands, I didn't have a clue what it could be. I couldn't think clearly enough to think of what was to come, because I was so freakin' excited to be getting a gift from her! I don't deserve a thing, so I was completely frazzled. One more class to go, then I'm off to home...
Here's a brief synopsis of what I got out the next class...(blahblahplatoblahblaharistotleblahblah...)
3:35pm! TIME TO HEAD HOME! so I get there and get a little bit of homework done, but mostly wait in anticipation of her arrival. She send me an IM as she's leaving work at 5 and tells me she's on her way. She arrived at my house with nothing in hand but her purse and keys, but I proceed to keep my cool and think nothing of it. We go upstairs to my room where out of her purse, she reveals a small box wrapped in brown art paper. on top of the box was something smaller wrapped on the top, that was about the size of a gift card. It wasn't heavy, it was about the size of a package of...5 CDs! She got me CDs! OOH I wonder which ones they are! So I proceeded to open the box first (by instruction from Laura) and I was intrigued to see what lay inside...As I pulled back the tape, and the krinkle and tear of paper was the only thing breaking the silence in that room, I look down only to find something I never expected... The box was black, and I had seen it many times before, and drooled in hopes of the day that I could have my own...but today was that day.
IT WAS A 60 GB iPOD VIDEO!
I was completely speechless, and all I could do was yell and jump around the room and scream. I Hugged her with a hug that could have given a boa constrictor a run for its money. I was amazed at her generosity. When the histeria subsided and I could form coherent sentences, I asked her, "What is this for? Why??!" She looked at me with 'that look' and said, "Just because...". No, and I mean no, words could express the feelings that I had inside. It was truly joy!
Since that day, I have listened to it EVERYDAY, I've gotten lots of videos, and of course filled it with pictures. I am so thankful for her and for amazing selflessness. God blesses me everyday with her. I am truly so blessed.
Love ya Laura.

~CH

Reservations...

I couldn't wait to tell Colin about my mom. I think I got kinda stupid I was so happy. As if my day couldn't get any BETTER, I was proven wrong.

~ So after a fantastic day of surprises, he added another to the list. I made dinner for us, and we decided to of course go downstairs and do our computer thing. ~ If you don't know we are nerds and we're ok with that. ~ We were sitting in my room and he asked me what I was doing tomorrow night? (Which would make that Friday night, meaning today, Saturday evening) "Whatever you're doing." I replied grinning. I always want to be by his side no matter what is going on. "Can I take you out to dinner?" (I looked at him, again and again he amazes me.) "Of course you can baby, of course." "Will you really?" "Yes hunnie, there is nothing I would rather do." "Good, done and done."

I went to sleep that night just thanking God for this person, this person that I call my boyfriend ~ someone who I can't imagine who I was before him. Repetitive as it seems its just the truth. He is my everything.

I awoke this morning ready, more than ready to go and see my amazing mother, bring her flowers and breakfast and just simply spend the day with her. I walked in, hugged her so tight and instantly I could see a change in her. Time seemed to stand still, just for a moment I looked around the room and it was like this house, just became a home. As weird as that may sound it was just a new start, a new life, and she just seemed happy, as simple as that, she was complete. We had a great day, my sister arrived shortly after I did, and it was a good day. I can finally share my love for Christ openly with my mother, my best friend, without her feeling uncomfortable or strange around me. Now I know I can be myself. For the first time in my life, I left my mom's house feeling completely confident that she was going to be ok. That is something totally new and totally wonderful.

I got home around 2, and I knew that Colin was getting off around 4ish, so I did more laundry (you have no idea how many clothes I own ~ it's outta control) I decided to lay down for a little while and then get up and get ready. When he called he completely took me by surprise..."Reservations!" My man made us RESERVATIONS. Ok...the last time someone made me reservations was my MOM and that was for my SENIOR PROM ~ ok now... this was HUGE. He just continuously allows me to fall more and more in love with him.
"I'll pick you at 7 is that ok?"
"Perfect I said ~ I can't wait."

WHAT ON EARTH AM I GOING TO WEAR!?!? (That is going to be the title to my reality show one day! Can't you see it now girls, you have this completely amazing guy coming to pick you up in less than an hour, your hair is in curlers, your "perfect" outfit is in the dryer, half dry at that, and there IS NO PLAN B, things can get quite dicey. You're getting an attitude with your roommate, she's frantically doing everything you ask, curling "that piece" of your hair, finding your shoes/socks, you smear your toe nail polish, your can't find your mascara, you ran out of deodorant and BOTH, mind you, BOTH of roommates use mens. . . so YOUR STUCK SMELLING LIKE ANOTHER GUY ~ that won't turn his head, I mean...WHAT ON EARTH AM I GOING TO DO? ~ I mean this show would be a HIT! ~ RIGHT GIRLS?!? ~ If you are one, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about ~ and if you aren't one well then YOU FOR SURE need to see what it is like for us and indeed will find it quite comical. I mean guys wonder, why it takes us 3 hours to get ready ~ this is the reveal episode NO MAN SHOULD MISS.

Anywho, I threw something together, my pants dried on time and I was taking the last curler out of my hair when he arrived. (Let's look past my shirt needing to be stiched together right before we walked out the door, we will just leave that part out, it doesn't fit in my perfect painting of my night.) We walk arms around each other out of my side door, he opens my door, I open his, and we were on our way. "I love this song!" ~ "Oh turn it up!" If he had a radio in his car, those words would have been so true, but yeah...my shuga sorta got robbed. But I love that he doesn't because we actually engage in great conversations when we're in his car, and I love that. He is so smart and I love to hear what he has to say, always. When we arrived at the secret dining location, it was just as I had imagined...Perfect. The restaurant was in downtown Bedford, tucked away on a charming side street, and it was so full of history, art and culture. We walked in and there were white and black linen table clothes, candles and fresh flowers on every table, leather backed menus, wine lists and desert suggestions. So lovely. He pulls out my chair, again butterflies, and I sat down. He was so handsome. I studied him as he made his way to his chair. He was wearing a dark, perfectly distressed pair of jeans, a white, ivory, blue and tan designed button up shirt (with cufflinks) and a black pin stripe blazer worn open that complimented his shoes and perfectly curly California hair. I have never seen him look better. He slips his jacket off, hangs it on the back of his chair and sits down. I couldn't remember a time where I felt more lucky, to have someone like him across from me.

It was a night of good food, great wine, enchanting conversation, and Colin makes all of that happen so easily. He never fails to make me feel special, wanted, appreciated. I can't explain what it is about him that makes me fall in love with him more and more everyday, but I have a funny feeling that its those little things. How he notices the small, yet important things in life, and I cherish that. The night was perfect, I couldn't have planned it better myself. He knows that it's not important to me at all that he take me out to fancy restaurants, I would never expect that of him. I would rather throw on sweatpants, than slacks any day. But he does. He does because even though I would never ask him to, he realizes that I would quite possibly LOVE to go out, and especially to a place like the one tonight, and especially to be escorted as someone such as HIMSELF!

Here we are, God has made us for one another, I have really found someone like him. The love I feel for him is changeless, and I will be his "date" for as long as he/God wants me to be. Together we can do anything ,be anything and after it's all said and done, share on heck of a quart of Java Chip ice cream. That's what we do best.

A Day Worth Waiting For...

It's 3:00 in the morning and I find myself wide awake, not because of stress, not because of worry, but because I am completely ~happy~. Now I know that sounds so strange, but I don't know how else to explain it.

Yesterday was just another Friday at work, files lost, phones ringing, shirts being folded and placed in their cardboard boxes, HB teething, and I in my chair, staring at my monitor, completely unmotivated, uncreative, uninventive. I think the only thing that got me through the day was my really cool lunch with Jason(s) and the occasional IM from Colin/Britni and even then it just made me want to leave and go do something else with them, definitely not be at work. Tic toc, tic toc, when was the day going to be over? Finally ~ 5:00, I went home and decided had to do a much, much past due load of laundry. I had a volleyball game at 8:30 so I ate a quick bite for dinner and headed off the gym. I love Friday nights because my team consists of all the girls I played with in college, so we're actually pretty competitive. We have so much fun. We laugh and remember old times in locker rooms, long bus rides, and that time we stayed in the most random hotel and jumped in the pool when it was 50 degrees outside. ( You see my coach was 73 years old ~ SHE STARTED VOLLEYBALL AT LYNCHBURG, founded in 1903, and well she spared no penny. If the rooms were over 20 bucks a night, we didn't stay there.) Five games passed. We came, we conqured, we took all 5 ~ hugged each other goodbye, and I wished a safe and happy evening to all. I got in my car and had 9 missed calls. "What in the world?!? I mean...I'm not that popular at all!" I checked my voicemails and half were junk, and the other was . . . well just quite odd. "Laura, it's Jean...Have you talked to your Mom yet? Call me back when you do." (To erase this message press 7 to save press 9) *9* "Hey Laura, it's Steph...Have you talked to Momma?! You NEED TO CALL HER, Love you bye" *9* "Laaaurrrra, it's Jean again, call me." *9* "Laura, this is Brit, call me when you get a chance." *9* "Hey Laura this is" . . . and well you get that gist. So I was thinking...what is up?!? I was sooo confused I had no clue I was truly hoping that everything was ok ~ I was praying no one was hurt. So I called Mom frantic and she was different, I don't know how else to explain it she just was.

"Mom, what's going on?"
"Nothing, why?" "
"Mom...don't think I don't know there is something, my inbox was full of CALL MOMS - so you can't play around with this one. Whats up?!?"
"I don't know what do you think happened?" (there was a smile behind her voice)

(Now at this point I thought, JEAN = God. You see Jean doesn't call me outta the blue, there was something going on and it had to do with God - I paused. . . I couldn't move, I just sat on the phone, silence.)

"Laura, you still there?"
"Yeah I'm here, Mom...Mom....Did you..."
"Did I what?"
"Did you give your heart, did you accept Christ?"
And there is was that word I had been praying to hear for so many years. ~*~ "YES." ~*~

My mom was saved. SHE GOT SAVED!! (Tears just started streaming uncontrollably, you would have thought if you were that car beside me that someone just died - but that was not the case at all, think opposite, someone just came ALIVE!)

"Momma!! (I was practically screaming) Momma this is the best day of my life! You're coming with us!!!"
(Nervous laugh - she was beginning to choke up) "I don't want awhole lot of attention I just want to enjoy it for myself, by myself for awhile.'
"OK Mom, whatever you want." (At that point if she would have told me she wanted a brand new BENZ I would have gone and gotten her one.) I was elated, my cheeks were starting to hurt. "Do you know how much I LOVE YOU! GOD LOVES YOU!"
"I feel like the bar is too high, (fighting back tears) I feel like I can't do it, I can't talk like you and Steph."
(I wanted to drive 100 mph to get to her) "Mom...Mom God meets you where you are, you took the first step, you don't have to know the bible cover to cover, you don't have to fix a casarole and take it to church tomorrow with a verse written on the lid, you are wonderful and God loves you just the way you are and we can come to him just as we are." I could feel her get a little more comfortable. We said goodnight and I can't remember a time where I was anymore happy that I was at that moment.

As I pulled in my driveway, I cut the lights off, turned the key and just sat there, sat there thinking, what a great day! Who cared about work this morning, that was insubstancial to what just happened. My mom, my life, my whole world was saved and there is no news in the entire history of the english language that I can think of that is better than that.

Thank you to all who have been praying for my mom ~ I know each and every one of them was heard and handled by God. And I pray that you never cease to lift her up. The battle has begun and it's not going to be easy. The angels are partying but Satan is pissed. With God anything is possible ~ Let this be a testimony to anyone who is willing to listen. God is awesome, prayer is powerful and togehter we can walk any valley and climb any mountian set in front of us.

Wow. My momma. What a blessing...Indeed.

When I Look At You...

Sometimes when I look at you, I can hardly believe you're mine. I think about how attractive you are, how caring and sensitive, how interesting and funny, and I can hardly believe that out of this whole world of people, I was lucky enough to find you. Sometimes when I look at you, I remember what it was like in the beginning, when we were just meeting, and getting to know each others names. I'll never forget the nervous excitement I used to feel every time I saw you...and I smile ever time I relive the tenderness of our very first kiss.
Sometimes when I look at you, I get lost in the few, but great memories of special times we've shared, and in daydreams of the happiness we've yet to discover together.
Everytime I look at you, I realize how much I love the love we share and how everyday my trust in God is renewed, for I know, He made you for me, and I for you. Everytime I look at you...I love you more.

Soup's On!

Chicken Noodle Soup, which he even brought over and pushed me away with one hand while stirring with the other when I asked if I could help. "Go over there and sit down, you are sick baby and I'm going to take care of you.' He even brought enough over for my roommate who had a slight brush with this flu thing herself. He is the sweetest!!! Not to mention he came equipped with 2 bags of my favorite ~Strawberry Twizzlers~ and not one but two kinds of juice for me.
Being sick is bad enough in itself, but being sick and hoping that your gorgeous and wonderful boyfriend doesn't catch it from you is even WORSE. It will kill me if he starts to show these symptoms.

Because of this yuckness that I have, I missed work today and was sent home early yesterday because my boss told me that I looked like I just got hit by a mac truck. Sweet yeah, uh so, maybe I'll go. I came home to find myself so tired that I just passed out on the couch and the only thing that woke me up was one of our cats jumping on my head - love that. As I got up or shall we say "zombied my way off the futon" I walked into my room and just threw myself on my bed. I think I slept for another 4 hours. Finally I woke up to my alarm telling me a shower was in order and that I HAD to pick myself up, take something for my fever and get out of this bed, which I have no doubt was making me sicker. So I sat up, and there was knock at my door.

Britni peeked her head in and said Colin had called. I reached for my cell and saw that I had a couple of missed calls ~ I hate it when I miss his calls. 3:30?!? He must have gotten off early?!? I called him back and he said that the power went off at his restaurant...random. But then he told me about what the power outage had said to him. He told that it was like a reference to what we are without God. Like without God we would all shut down like his restaurant, be in complete darkness. And I loved that analogy ~ I wish he would write it down, because of what I just wrote is NOTHING compared to hearing him talk about it. I love how he notices details and actually thinks about the little things. He is so special.

Tonight was First Wednesday at our church. He runs sound for the Student Ministry and I go into the (what we call) The Big Room and attend regular service. Even though I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to stand , much less sing praise and worship, I wasn't going to miss church, I need church. I walked into the SM side and wanted just to see him before I made my way to the other side of the building.
I love when I see him across a room. It's one of the most calming feelings ever. He was wearing my favorite jeans of his, a dark red long sleeve shirt and his hair was crazy perfect. He walked over, gave me hug, and I love that I smell like him for the rest of the night. He never fails to compliment me, he told me he like my outfit and I told him I loved him. I can't tell him that enough. Tonight, even after all the tissue boxes, bottles of cough syrup and pills I can't pronounce, I'm feeling better. Is is possible that someone can be a prescription?!? My friend Britni says: "If Jesus were on myspace, he would be my number one." ~ Everytime I laugh. So here's my go at that. "If God had a pharmacy, Colin would be my prescription." I love him. I love him. I love him.

My Sick Baby...

So, my little Laura is sick, and I've been doing my best to take care of her. She's had a fever, and has just been feeling awful, and I have been trying my hardest to make her every need no longer a need. Seeing as how she takes care of my every possible need, whether I'm sick or not, I feel it's the the least possible thing I could do. A little chicken noodle soup, and some juice will go a long way. She's been having to miss work, because she's been sick, but in all reality it's been a blessing in disguise I believe, she's needed a little time away from that place. I have had the most amazing time getting closer to her, and I am excited for lies ahead. She makes me life so enjoyable...
That's all for now, just a little mini update...
~CH