Brother Andrew

My brother, Andy, got engaged!! Here is his beautiful new fiance, Shannon. This engagement has put me through the entire gambet of emotions. I am overwhelmingly happy and excited for them, because I love them both SO MUCH. But I am also heartbroken, because they will more than likely settle on the east coast, in New York or somewhere fancy like that. You see, Andy is an artist, (Masters in Sculpture) and Shannon has a dream to incorporate dance as a form of therapy, dubbed "Dance Therapy." Both of their passions in life will not lead them to the boring, unartistic mid-west. The sort of jobs they seek are found on the juicy, exciting, artistic, east coast. In addition to their jobs leading them in that direction, Shannon also grew up in New Jersey and her whole family is firmly planted there.

The wedding is scheduled for mid-May somewhere in New York, or New Jersey. I have been given the honor of being a bridesmaid in the wedding, which I am very excited about! And, cool tidbit, since Andy and Shannon are such an artsy couple, she presented me with this idea last night: each of the bridesmaids get to choose their own dress, as long as it is black. That is the only parameter. She explained the common frustration that she has been in so many weddings where the bridesmaid dress didn't look good on her, and she would never be able to use it again. So she wants us each to buy our own black dresses, as long as we feel beautiful in them, and they are re-usable! She is excited about the idea of each person representing their own unique style, and each dress varying according to that style. She thinks it will be visually aesthetic as well. We will see how it turns out. It will either look really cool, unique and beautiful, or it will totally look chaotic and sloppy. Let's all hope for the former!

Well, here is to my brother and his beautiful bride!!