Life changes. And change is good!

About three weeks ago, Ken flew to Philly, I kissed that Brewerytown row home goodbye and we drove halfway across America to my cozy, new suburban KC home. I reunited with my dear friend and past-and-current roommate Laura, headed to Hutch for a couple days of family time and felt peaceful all over knowing that I was home.

The first real week unemployed between jobs, I threw myself into my Advocacy + Communications role with River to Well. We have a fancy new website and an invitation to write a guest post for a well-known photographer's blog. As I whipped that out, magazine-deadline style, I justified not posting on my own blog. (I will reveal that bit of freelance in its own post. I need to stretch these out.)

I sent that to press, and Ken and I hopped in the car to drive to Colorado. Denver holds a special place for both of us, his having lived there and my having spent so much time there with family growing up. This is also where our love truly began.

August 2011. Way back when my hair was short, I had a visible bike scar
and Ken's frames were invisible. We were but children!

We drove to Estes Park on Sunday, August 19, for an anniversary hike.

I won't bore you with the gory details (there was a half-eaten Clif Bar in my mouth and I was a little sweaty) but in the mountains...he asked me to be his wife.

I get to marry this guy:

It is seriously amazing how God operates. I will say it again -- the unpredictability and excitement and trials all make me pretty excited for whatever is next. He is good to me.

2011 River to Well gallery show, Lawrence.

Ken and I bonded over River to Well. This little grassroots photo competition that is physically helping to bring clean water to people in Africa. THIS is my partner in life, people! Can you imagine how much good God can do through us?!

Times Square.

Just during our courtship, we have seen some incredible places together.

Philly.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

We have friends and family all over the world who are incredibly supportive of us, together and separately.

Underground Salt Museum, Hutch.

He lets me cry when I need to and he also lets me laugh at him, which I often find the need to do too.

Philly.

I feel so cherished and supported by him. Like I could do anything.

This is my future husband:

Photo courtesy of the talented and gracious Rusty Wright
(I say 'gracious' because I yanked the photo from his blog).
Handsome bone structure courtesy of the Good Lord.

I know what you're thinking. And yes, our children will be pretty stinkin' adorable. Not unlike my new niece, Evie.

This blog may change a bit, but I dare say the story can only get better and better.

With love.