knots + nest

oh my stars...

i've moved to the country and i'm getting married!

how's that for subtle and nonchalant?

the last several weeks have granted me a beautifully chaotic peace of mind composed of:

surreal, giddy, contentment, fast paced, honesty, come-aparts, forgiveness, loose ends, gratitude, trust, tears 

& all out love

::tying the knot: one string at a time
i'm planning this sweet little wedding with a big ole party on our family farm in a few short months. (jesustakethewheel)
the event planner in me is freaking the eff out but i've got her contained...she's not completely invited to this circus.
...cause this is the laurel + willie show. 
       where black & white, structure and logistics are hanging a bit loose
       where the reigns lie in the simple notion that it will be a day filled with our favorite people on sacred ground.

the reason I know EPL (event planner laurel) is on vacation/likely in an asylum, is because I've found a certain special thrill in unlikely components of the process:
+i thought i'd care most about the music -- i don't even have a confirmed band and have given creative freedom to our music friends for the ceremony (the verdict is still out on that decision!)

+i thought i'd demand a defined theme, color scheme and decor palette -- i'm using neutrals & nature and trusting some way or another they'll string together perfectly.

+i am completely overcome with joy over my dress. a dress that i have gotten to dream up & design.  it's like every stitch is my little secret. this opportunity is truly a gift, a creative process i'll always hold dear.

 +i am completely committed to the words and how they connect.  i'll explain...
       my invitations are going to be special. non-traditional, a bit witty, authentic & friendly. i want you to feel like you're getting a note in the mail from me on an extraordinary day.
      we started developing the ceremony. not just the vows...the ceremony. we're scripting every single word. what fun it's been to think about, laugh about & get sentimental about the very words that will be spoken on the little hill in the field. it's been memorable already and through this process we know that the words that will be said, without a doubt, completely and absolutely are for us and our people to share & take away.
. . . . . . .
::the closest country to the city you can get
y'all.
i live on this little piece of land that i simply adore. it has enveloped me, my spirit, my right-now, my right-where-i-need-to be. 
it's my nest and I feel like it's literally made up of the best parts of where i've been, who i'm meant to be, how i've grown and why i learned to love.
...and come to find out, i just needed somebody to help me weave these strands together in an imperfect circle to make our landing spot; our home

in the deepest pit of my being, I have a real understanding that this place has always meant to be a life changing stitch in this thread of my life.

by and far, my favorite part (that I hope I don't soon get over) is that i get to turn on my bright lights the very second I turn right at the Country Store for the last 2 miles home.

this is a big deal for a girl who grew up in a place where it gets completely dark and every single star can be accounted for on any given night.  of late, i've spent some of the best times of my life right smack dab in the middle of good ole light pollution, living in a bustling downtown city of a million or more...

so the click forward on the steering column is the only sign I need, to know I'm getting just a little bit closer to where I came from, where i need to be.

. . . . . . .
i feel like i need to record my thoughts during this crazy few months, cause who knows how boring life's gonna get as an old married hag?! (yeah right! not around these parts). 

but i need to write about the proposal, it's my favorite story to tell and i don't want to forget a single detail. i want to share about this wedding and the love flowing at every turn. 

our friend-family is still rockin my face off; they threw an all out party for us only 3 days after we were engaged and we hosted them this past weekend for an epic night of bbq, a bonfire, creek crawlin and a guitar sang-a-long. we've got a good thing goin, life is movin, things are changing, and we're clinging on tighter to each other...sometimes braving, mostly enjoying the ride.
 
and wait! we've completely remodeled this little home with our own four hands and i'm damn proud of my main squeeze's skills and how i've fluffed this nest. ive got pictures, befores & afters, the plans gone good and plans gone bad...lots to tell!

oh, and no big deal but i've got four new girlfriends: egg laying hens...and a blue heeler puppy who herds them around the back yard.

yep, stories to tell...my favorite thing.