Weekend Update.

Well, wedding season is officially in full swing.

Thursday, I headed home for a friend's lingerie shower. Over margaritas with obscene-shaped straws and red velvet cupcakes, we giggled over all of Jordan's new honeymoon gear and talked about how crazy it was that she was about to be someone's wife. Forever.

Friday, I met Erika in Birmingham for some shoe shopping. Like I mentioned before, dating a giant calls for a few adjustments in my footwear. There's a fine line between shoes that give me a boost and shoes that look like they've just waltzed around a pole, and I'm learning to walk that line. Slowly. And preferably with an elbow or a railing to hold onto. Afterward, I went with Alex to our friends' wedding rehearsal. Alex led off the groomsmen, and I captured it all on film for the bride's mom. They rewarded us with an excellent dinner at The Bright Star Restaurant in Bessemer. We capped off the night on the patio of The Blue Monkey Lounge, toasting to Abby and Joseph's new life together and enjoying the reunion of Alex and his college friends.

Saturday, Alex headed off to take pictures with the bridal party and I hung back with his roommate and other non-members of the bridal party. We had a super chic lunch at Chick-Fil-A then headed to the afternoon nuptials. The ceremony went off without a hitch, save for a minor issue with the power going off. But the bride and groom took it in stride, and after a beautiful homily we were off to the reception. The reception was very, very cute. It was in the loft of a floral shop with an open beam ceiling and antique doors and windows lining the walls. And of course, a dance floor. Oh, you should see me dance with my gentle giant. His long limbs flail and swing about, and I do my best to match him... which results mostly in my jumping up and down to Shout! and a number of other MoTown hits. Very entertaining indeed.

Sunday, Alex and I went to the mothership of the PCA denomination: Briarwood. The campus-- yes, this church merits the use of "campus"-- was beautiful and perfectly manicured, and the church building itself was grand despite my immediate feeling of walking into a hospital lobby upon entrance. The preacher was really good-- he taught on Joseph and the Egyptians, and he provided a great balance of history and application. I'm still getting used to this whole reformed thing; the PCA worship service is a little more structured than what this Southern Baptist is used to, but otherwise the theology and mission feels quite familiar.

After church, we met up with my old friend Josh Perkins for brunch at Jackson's. Perkins and I love to catch up on who's dating who and who's moved where; when we get together, we somehow morph into seventy year olds and might as well be in our rocking chairs on the front porch. Alex sat through the small-town banter like a champ and tuned in only to hear Josh and I discuss education theory and exchange war stories of being on the front lines in the school system.

Sunday night, we ate with a few of Alex's friends-- his friend Brian is a truly impressive host: before dinner, he laid out bread with seasoned olive oil and hummus with cucumbers, pitas, and olives. And then we headed to a sports bar to watch the second half of the basketball game. I've deemed myself a Mavs fan this year, so I was pretty pleased with the outcome.

And now... it's back to reality. Back to homework and reading assignments, class and cleaning, working out and doing laundry. At least until next weekend.