giddy with joy!

because my little brother (doesn't he look like ethan?)is all grown up and getting married. he called me yesterday while he was going to pick up the ring. it melted my heart that he took the time to include me in his special day. he and i are 7 years apart, i'm the oldest, he's the youngest. i was gone to college and then married by the time he was a teenager, but he's always been my favorite brohter. i'm just glad that he's my only brother because i can say that without a shadow of a doubt. he and i are a lot alike, we tend to see the world through a similar paradigm. i think we were far enough apart that he never really bugged me or was the annoying little brother. at least i don't remember him being so. :) he grew up with 3 older sisters who made sure he was always the polite and charming boy, we wanted his wife to have the best.

it took them a while to find each other, but a move to dallas to persue his doctorate in history was the key. funny thing is my parents lived in dallas for a couple of years and were in the same ward (or church congregation) as her parents were, but neither were living at home at the time, away at school or on a mission. so they COULD have met much sooner, but there's always a reason for timing issues like that i believe.

he proposed with a dozen long stemmed roses in a box. her name is hope and she is exactly what i hoped he would find to be his eternal companion.
isn't she beautiful? and doesn't he look dapper? i couldn't be happier for them, and i think i'm going to love getting to know hope. they are planning an early spring wedding. i can't wait!