Whew! If you live in Virginia or have visited SE Virginia, you have experienced one of the hottest summers I can remember! Beach weddings have been excruciating but happy experiences if in the full sun.

It has been a "hot" summer for weddings too.... Vicki and I have both been very busy giving our couples the best wedding experience we can give.

Familywise, this has been a "hot" summer too. Our youngest son who lives in Florida had a very dangerous health event that could have taken him away from us, but by God's grace he survived and is almost back to normal again. 
Our other son and his large family have been visiting us from Texas! It is so wonderful to have a houseful of grandchildren, even if they are teens and older now. One of his children brought 2 of our Great-Granddaughters to visit us as well and they are young, so much fun!

Things will return to normal next week as they return to Texas on Saturday. We will miss them, we only get to see them about once a year or so. 

Clinton, my sweet husband, is still dealing with back pain issues and I worry about him. He pushes through the pain and keeps going and he still drives me to all my weddings  and meetings so we can spend the time together and so I can rest between appointments.

I consider it such a privilege to officiate weddings and I thank each couple who has afforded me this awesome trust.

Wow, my first hashtag. I don't have to tell you how fast technology has grown in the last few years. I have always been a wiz at computers but the social media sometimes baffles me. I hope to do more blogging and get better at this!

Regardless of your personal beliefs, it is my pleasure to perform same sex weddings particularly since I have come to know some of these couples since the law changed. All of the couples I have married thus far have been in long term relationships with one another and all but one couple have been very respectful of me and have gained my deepest respect. 
No matter the obstacles and prejudice they have faced, they have remained true to each other and to the fight to have the same human rights as heterosexual  couples.  
I think I understand and respect them more than I ever did before. It is a real privilege to be in the presence of these couples and I am deeply humbled to be of service to them. Who knew? I certainly didn't truly understand even though I had already performed ceremonies even before it was legal, albeit not legal ceremonies as I didn't have the rights before now. 

Finally the Commonwealth of Virginia allows legal same-sex marriages. I have been performing ceremonies, non-legal of course, for several years with the couples traveling to DC before or after to make it official. 
Now, everyone has the same rights to be married to whomever they love! I have already booked 3 and I am so excited to be able to provide this valuable service!
Susan

Well. we finally got some rain! And how! 14.5 inches + my rain gauge overflowed over night so not sure how much more !
My new puppy hasn't seen rain much less gone outside to potty in it. What a challenge, he is strongwilled too!
  On a happier note, the weekend will be here before you know it and weddings!

I have had some beautiful weddings in August and they inspired me to create a new broom for jump the broom ceremonies. I can't wait to use it!

WOW! What awesome weather for weddings this weekend. It has been a long time since officiating an outdoor wedding has been done in comfortable weather....usually too cold or too hot! 
I feel so blessed to be able to share in the joy of a wedding! I love you all, brides and grooms! 

This Sand Vase is one of my creations using the shells found on local beaches. I love sand ceremonies, they are so beautiful and meaningful. I love crafting and creating. I also make grapevine wreaths (from the actual vines Clinton grows) and decorating them for my doors. I sew, make jewelry..... any project that feeds my soul! I love working with Clinton to create wedding ceremonies full of passion, love, and your personality and history.
Thank you God for giving me the desire to create. It makes me feel like I favor my loving Father! 

Sorry it has been a while since I posted. I have been down with a nasty summer cold....yuck!! And now it looks like I shared it with Clinton, poor guy. This is no fun.
Congratulations to my Brides and Grooms and vow renewal couples from this past week and weekend. I  love you all and thank you for the privilege of officiating for you. It gives me such pleasure to join in all this happiness!