Something to Make You Smile On This Friday

I'm always looking for stories of hope and inspiration, and I've got one for you. This one reminds us of what we can give people when we come together. So much more than a simple donation, we can make their dreams come true - dreams that every one of us should be able to see come to fruition. A beautiful wedding. A celebration of love.

Last week, a church provided a beautiful wedding ceremony to a homeless couple who have been living on the streets of Washington, D.C. for years struggling to get by. Dante White, 28, was kicked out of his mother's home when he was just 14-years-old and has been living day-to-day ever since. His bride, Nhiahni Chestnut, 39, had battled a drug and alcohol addiction as well as poverty for many years.

When White confided to a parishioner at Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown where he and Chestnut had been attending bible study that he wished he had enough money to marry this special woman, the church responded.

"Everyone at the church feels strongly that you don't need to have money to get married," said Margaret Davis.

"In good Grace church congregation fashion, everyone got behind the idea: one person managed flowers, I helped with the wedding rings, one woman made the cake, someone helped with the tux and someone else with the bride's gown," she said.

Another parishioner even provided a honeymoon for the couple.

"This is beyond my wildest dreams. This is exactly how I wanted my wedding to be," said the bride.

To read more, click here.

Have an amazing weekend, and a wonderful Mother's Day.

Nicole

My First Real Valentine's Day

Saturday is Valentine's Day - a day when millions of women anticipate some token of affection from that "someone special." I've always been one of those women - even when I was a little girl I made sure I had a full bag of Valentines from my classmates! I don't really have expensive taste - no need for a Tiffany box placed strategically on the kitchen table when I get home - but I've always liked flowers, cards, special treatment, etc. (Note to my husband: for the record, this doesn't mean I would be disappointed with a Tiffany box)

But this is the first year that I really don't care about any of those things. I was married last October, and I've never been happier in my relationship. Donté, my husband, and I dated for six years before we were married, and we experienced the many growing pains of a maturing relationship. (We rode the emotional roller coaster until they closed down the theme park, okay?!) But now, we've finally reached a point that I wouldn't call perfection but rather contentment and connection. Having been through the ups and downs, this state of things is the best Valentine's Day present I could ever receive.

This morning Donté left for Florida on a business trip, but before he walked out the door, I went downstairs and sat on the couch next to him. We didn't talk much. Every now and then we enjoyed the silence. I just held his hand and relished in how simple things seemed and how much I love this man. It was the sweetest box of chocolates, biggest bouquet of roses, and most expensive piece of jewelry I've ever received.

Happy Valentine's Day, guys.

xoxo,

Nicole