It's almost May 1 and I'm typing away, surrounded by boxes packed for moving, wedding gifts and a big, cozy couch, waiting patiently to be recovered. Melly is in the other room, loading up boxes with her remaining kitchen supplies as Jon Pardi plays and a warm, summer breeze blows through our house. 

I haven't written lately because, to be honest, I have so much to say that I have nothing to say at all. It feels easier to stay silent than to attempt to do this season justice with a blog post. Everything is changing in the way your world transforms as you graduate high school. There will be a major event and, after it, you won't feel all that different. Yet, everything will have changed and you will never again go back.  

Although I know I'm ready for the next phase, I find myself sipping up every last moment - packing with Melly, evening walks with Duke. Savoring the little things, which have become so normal that I stopped noticing them until recently. 

I couldn't feel more excited to marry Chris. I'm so ready to be his wife, to live with him and to grow even closer. Our relationship has changed far more during our engagement than I could have imagined - we're more intertwined than ever before, leaning on one another and being deeply vulnerable. It feels like we're just us most of the time and then I realize, holy cow, we aren't the same us we were in August. There is a new level of safety and committment and it is the most unexpected, beautiful part of wedding planning. 

As we count down these last few weeks, it can feel like there is always something upon which I can be improving or checking off. Whether it's whitening my teeth or finishing our table assignments, it's tempting to feel like these remaining days should be spent improving, doing and moving. 

I'm praying that I can stay present, focus on the love we're felt during our engagement and embrace each day. I'm praying I can spend more energy on investing in the people around me than my to do lists. 

Happy Monday, amigos. As always, thank you for reading and for your support during this especially tender and beautiful season.