2nd post

OK so this is my post for Emily and Luke, cause they're engaged!

For those that don't know her, Emily is a theater professor at Centenary College and her passion is Shakespeare. Well in February, this tour came through Shreveport from the American Shakespeare Center performing "Hamlet" (I know, perfect, right). Luke Eddy played Hamlet... bam, that was it, Emily was in love. Before you all start rolling your eyes, let me clarify this. I've never seen two people honestly embody the word "soulmate" like these guys. Mom and I have both said that we could not have found a better match for our crazy Emily than Luke if we had been able to design him ourselves. Luke is really and truly one of the best guys I have ever met - and believe me, I wouldn't say that about just any guy that Emily dated anymore. He's an amazing actor - up there with Royal Shakespeare Company actors I saw, not even kidding. Luke is so much like Emily and my dad, incredibly smart, loves Shakespeare, and best of all, head over heels in love with my sister. But here's the kicker - I have never seen my sister either so in love OR so truly happy!

I knew Luke would fit into our family when I saw what a great time he had with my parents at dinner the 2nd night we met him. I'd never seen a guy Emily was with fit with my family like this. It truly was like a piece of us was missing, and we didn't realize it until Luke was sitting with us... I know that sounds cheesy but it's true. I knew Luke would be a great brother-in-law when he came into Campbell House and had the same nerdy reaction that I did. He loved the story. He loved all the details, and appreciated them because he's worked on old houses before. It was awesome.

Here's the thing. I knew Luke was right for Emily when we went to see him in Hamlet. Yes he stared at her as they played instruments before the show, and he played to her a lot. But that wasn't the moment. We were waiting outside the theater for Luke to come out, and we saw him first. I saw him kinda looking around, obviously searching for her. He sees her, and relief washes over his face. It was like he was saying "Ahh there she is. That's her. All's right with the world." I don't think I've ever seen someone look at another person like this. That was it for me. I knew instantly that this guy was right for my sister. I didn't need any other explanations to accept him. Neither did my parents when they saw how great they were together. We just got the additional bonus of him fitting so absolutely perfectly.

In October, Luke called to ask my parents permission to marry Emily. Apparently he's been wanting to propose on Thanksgiving since April - what made the final decision for him was meeting our family (see what I mean about this guy?!). So Mom made a huge decision. Remember the cryptic blog I posted earlier? Here's the explanation. That "special thing" we freaked out over was my great-aunt Rita's gorgeous diamond ring. Mom has sworn for YEARS she would not split up that ring. But the Sunday after Luke asked permission, inspiration hit her and she decided to split it up and give Emily 1/2 the diamonds. So she sent it through the mail... it was lost for about 2 weeks! I had my CityLife groups praying over this ring, Mom had security called on her at the post office cause she was yelling at them about it... it was insane, we were so heartsick! LUCKILY they found it in Indianapolis (long story) and it got to Virginia in time for Luke to propose on his parents front porch!

Cheesy and stupid but had to post it - hopefully they won't care that I did. Just wanted to say how much I love them both! CONGRATS AGAIN GUYS!

Thanks for the memories #8

So today is a very special thanks for the memories.

I'm thankful for my sister... who just got engaged to this incredible guy!

Not sure how to make it bigger but you get the idea. This is Emily and her fiance Luke!!!

OK first off, here's why I'm thankful for my sister. Emily is 4 1/2 years older than me (almost exactly - she was born August 13, I was born February 22, literally a week away from exactly 4 1/2 years), 5 in school. I was definitely not an ideal little sister in a lot of ways... and there were times she would torment me too (like telling her kindergarten sister if she told some 4th grade boys she was in love with them I'd be allowed to play in her room)... but underneath it all Emily was constantly there for me. This is the girl that in 5th grade was often late to class cause she had to walk her sister to kindergarten, drop me off, give me a hug, and tell me she loved me every day. This is the girl that stuck up for me when kids made fun of how skinny I was, or how my brace looked. She constantly encourages me and loves listening to me nerd out about old houses and museums. Granted, she's also the one that nicknamed me "Skankfest" in 6th grade and says stuff like "Katherine needs a hott firefighter that can lift her up and cook for her!" But for 23 years, she has been an amazing role model for me. Emily is most definitely one of the strongest people I know, the girl has been through more than I can and will say and always comes out stronger and better because of it - how many people can say that? There have been times in my life where I've been scared to do things, but I look at Emily and say "if she can do it, so can I". Emily, I'm so thankful that you're my sister because you've been the best one I could have ever asked for! I love you so much!

Why was it so important for me to post about Emily today? See, my super smart, talented, beautiful, incredibly strong, inspiring, and amazing older sister truly found her perfect match when this hott guy came through Shreveport, Louisiana playing Hamlet in a tour for the American Shakespeare Center. Yesterday, these two made it official when Luke proposed. Emily had NO idea that it was coming this soon and literally curled into the fetal position bawling when he got down on one knee :-). I'm SO happy for them!

I'm gonna write a 2nd post talking about Emily AND Luke so this one doesn't get SUPER long. I just wanted to say how thankful I am to have this amazing woman as my older sister and to have such a great guy coming into our family!

So for now I'll end this by sayuing...

CONGRATULATIONS EMILY AND LUKE! WE LOVE YOU!