Love is blind?

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."
~William Shakespeare, Mid-Summer Night's Dream, 1595

First of all, I grew up on Stephen Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein, so I think in terms of musicals. Such is life. Moving on...

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about what makes us love the people we love. Is it really all about pheromones? Fate? Divine intervention? Chance? Tequila?

When I met my Joshua, I was in the seventh grade. I had been on a youth group trip to a local amusement park, and was sitting in the middle of a bus seat next to a friend (although I can't remember who). We were sitting in three's; I know this because I recently found a journal entry, circa Summer 1999, describing the scene in detail, including illustration and direct quotes. Like I've said before, he was my first big crush. It was a crush of convenience at the beginning.

According to my worn-out notebook, there was a boy, Jay, who had a serious crush one me (I believe he proposed to me in the fifth grade or something) and was headed my way. Unable to stand his company for the four hour ride home, I spotted a boy I hadn't met walking down the aisle, searching for an open seat. I had to act quickly. "Hey, you!" I shouted, "...boy in the white shirt!" I flagged him down, I might have even grabbed him by the arm to secure his seat next to me. Extremely ladylike, I know, my father would have been proud. Now, what exactly made me choose him from the handful of church-goers searching the bus for a seat, I don't know, but I certainly am glad I did.

10 years later, my little crush of convenience has given way to something deeper. I'm not sure exactly where all this is going, but I'm liking it so far. For now, he is my encourager, my plus one, and my very best friend. Last night, Josh and I were discussing our differences. We are sooo not each others' "types". But you know what? It's working out wonderfully; he makes me smile.

So, who makes you smile? And what drew you to them? I'd love to hear your stories, feel free to share in the comments or e-mail me if you'd like! You can also check out my other blog for more on this subject.

"You come to love not by finding the perfect person,

but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly."

-Sam Keen

-V

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photo credit

Songs:

"Do I Love You Becaue You're Beautiful?" from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's Cinderella [lyrics here]

Photo Finish.... Sunday?

I meant to post this on Friday...sorry, it's been a long week, y'all!

One of the things that bothers me about Valentine's Day is that men are pressured to go out and spend bunches of money on flowers and chocolates to prove their devotion & after a matter of days, the chocolates are gone and flowers are either already dead or have begun to wilt. Okay, so maybe the chocolates only last a couple hours, let's be honest, ladies. What exactly does this have to do with love? Love is temporary and throws off your diet for the week? I don't like it.

However, in the interest of full disclosure; I never turn down flowers...or chocolate! I have been waiting for my lovely bouquet to wilt, but it's been over a week now and despite spending most of Valentine's day in my car, sans water, these little darlings are still going strong! I'm horrible with green things, they usually suffer and die under my care, so it must be a sign. I can't wait to see God's plan for my future, and to see if there's a certain blue-eyed boxer by my side. (Did I tell you he boxes? Well, he does.)

Here are a few photos I snapped throughout the week:

Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Don't you just love it when the roses open up like this?

Another little reminder of God's handiwork.

Happy Weekend! (or, what's left of it.)

-V

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Songs: (don't worry...I left out the obvious "The Rose" by Bette Midler. You're welcome.)

"You Are the Best Thing" Ray Lamontagne

"Kiss From a Rose" Seal (I couldn't resist..I love Seal! By the way...how many of you think it's; "kissed by a rose on the grave"? It's not. "kissed by a rose on the gray". Look it up!)

To the handful of you who actually comment...

I'm having issues with Blogger right now. I can read your comments, but can not post my own in reply! I love love love the feedback and I really appreciate the interaction, so just know that if I don't reply or comment back, thanks so much! You can always e-mail me or direct message me on twitter if you are so inclined. Hopefully this issue will resolve itself in a timely manner. (ahem..)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful night, Josh & I are cuddled up watching Terminator 2 for some reason. Can you believe this man now holds political office? Gotta love the Governator.

xoxo,

V

In case you were wondering...

Yup, that pretty much sums it up.

-V

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Songs:

"Can't Get it Right Today" Joe Purdy

photo credit

We will now return to your regularly scheduled programming...

Okay, one more sickeningly sweet post to get it out of my system.

Okay, V-Day is over. The flowers have begun to wilt, all of my chocolates are half eaten (so I can see what's in them, of course!) and I've read his card over and over at least a mazillion times. This man is so sweet, I told him about my "Boycotting Valentine's Day" thing this year for the checklist, so, at 10pm on Valentine's Day eve, I opened the door to his apartment to find every stereotypical V-day gift I was boycotting. A giant, red, "I love you" balloon, a bouquet of [my favorite shade of] roses and lilies, a box of assorted chocolates, and a Hallmark card. With a Care Bear on it. Can I tell you what he wrote? I think I will because, well, this is my blog and you can't really do anything about it.

"Vanessa,

In the past ten years I have come to learn one thing for sure.

That is...I truly believe you are meant to be in my life.

You know me better than anyone and

I am so grateful for the beauty that you cast into my life.

Here's to what's to come."

So freakin' cute. What a cheeseball.

Have a toothache yet? Well, here's one more bit of sweetness for ya. Yesterday morning Josh and I went to church with my family. I have been attending the same church since I was an infant. This is also where I met Joshua. Oh, the nostalgia. That's another story for another day.

Sometimes, I feel like I'm living in a fairytale...I can't believe I'm dating my first crush.

Happy Monday, everyone! Let's make it a great one =-)

-V

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Here's my earworm of the day:

"Soul Sister" Train

Oh, the smushy mushiness!

I love [Love] Quotes!

"Give all to love; obey thy heart."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet."

-Plato

"Give me a kisse, and to that kisse a score;

Then to that twenty, adde a hundred more;

A thousand to that hundred; so kisse on,

To make that thousand up a million;

Treble that million, and when that is done,

Let's kisse afresh, as when we first begun."

-Robert Herrick, To Anthea (III)

"kisses are a better fate

than wisdom"

-e.e. cummings

"Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs."

-William Shakespeare

"We loved with a love that was more than love."

-Edgar Allen Poe

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Spend it smooching the one(s) you love!

xoxo,

V

My Funny Valentine's Day

I'm not celebrating Valentine's day this year...well, not really. You can read all about it here.

Have a great weekend, folks!

-V

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Songs:

"My Funny Valentine" Ella Fitzgerald

"Only You Can Love Me This Way" Keith Urban

Love and Marriage and Babies...Oh, my!

Can someone please tell my biological clock to stop ticking?

I'm only 22 for goodness' sake.

This past weekend, Joshua took me to his cousin's wedding. It was interesting to say the least. At first, I was insanely nervous because this was the first meet-the-family event, and in case you couldn't tell, I really like this boy. Somewhere in between the bride putting the ring on the groom's right (read: WRONG) hand and Josh's brother paying the limo driver to chauffeur us around to random small town bars after the reception, my nerves gave way to butterflies.

I don't know what's gotten into me lately, but I've been extremely future-minded. It doesn't help that I'm dating my long-time friend, so we're very comfortable [half] joking about marriage and babies and talking about the future. I keep waiting for one or both of us to start freaking out, but it's just not happening. My brain keeps telling me things are moving too fast and foreshadowing a life-wrecking crash and burn scenario; but those thoughts are fleeting, and disperse as soon as his eyes meet mine for any length of time. And that smile...

So, anyways...back to the wedding. My beau was in the wedding party and I was not, which makes for an interesting situation. I was kind of lonely at first, but quickly began making fast friends with his family. I love his Mom, she is a truly amazing woman and so down to earth! Every family member who would walk up to introduce themselves to me would say; "Are you Josh's girlfriend?" Yes. "He loves you." or some variance of the same. Apparently I was a topic of conversation at the rehearsal dinner. I don't know which is more strange, the fact that the entire family felt comfortable enough to tell me this, or the fact that it left me beaming at each telling.

And then he caught the garter. Goodness Gracious, of course he did. Thus began the planning of my wedding, and Josh's sister-in-law's constant referral to me as her sister-in-law. People were snapping more photos of us dancing/kissing/making goo-goo eyes at each other than they were of the bride and groom, honestly. When it came time for the bride to throw the bouquet, you'd better believe I dodged those flowers like they were freakin' hand grenades! That would've been too much. It's all too much, but I love it.

I'm a lucky [slightly crazy] girl.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock....

-V

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Songs:

"Beautiful Day" Vitamin String Quartet (cover of U2)

"Lucky" Jason Mraz & Colbie Calliat

When I grow up...

Oh, the glamorous life of a soybean.

Don't you wish it were really that easy?

T.G.I.F!!

-V

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Songs:

"Change the World" Eric Clapton

photo credit

Three Thoughts for your Thursday

"Blessed are they who heal you of self-despisings. Of all services which can be done to man, I know of none more precious."

-William Hale White

"Things won are done. Joy's soul lies in the doing."

-William Shakespeare

from Troilus and Cressida Act 1 Scene 2

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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It's almost time to T.G.I.F =-)

Let's make it a great day today!

-V

[almost] Wordless Wednesday

A thought on equality:

No matter who you are, where you came from, what you do, or where you go in life,

we all have to deal with matchless socks.

So, there's that.

-V

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Songs:

"Call and Return" Hellogoodbye

"Wednesday Morning, 3 a.m." Simon & Garfunkel

photo credit

c-c-c-COURAGE.

Well, folks, today's the day.

Freakin' finally!

Bring on the latex gloves, microscopes and needles.

"Have I not commanded you? Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

-Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

-V

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Songs:

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" Bobby McFerrin

Photo: from the Wizard of Oz

Movie [Music] Monday

So, here’s how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, etc).
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to a new question press the next button.

Ready? GO!

Opening Credits:
"Somewhere over the Rainbow" Iz Kamikawiwo'ole

Waking Up:
"New Born" Muse

Falling In Love:
"Can You Stand the Rain" Boyz II Men

Fight Song:
"Bliss" Muse [Hmmm...]

Breaking Up:

"Thank You For the Music" Abba [I guess I'll be keeping those CD's...LOL]

Make-up:

"Big Shot" Billy Joel

Life’s Okay:
"The Garden" Mirah

Mental Breakdown:
"Everyday Feels Like Sunday" Of Montreal

Driving:
"Feeling Good" Muse

Flashback:
"Never Gonna Be Alone" Nickelback [awwwww]

Happy Dance:
"Little Wonders" Rob Thomas

Regretting:
"Human Nature" Michael Jackson

Final Battle:
"Mr. Sandman" The Chordettes.....ummmmm

Death Scene:
"Right Here" Staind

Make-Out Scene:
"May it Be" Enya

Ending Credits:
"Nice Guys Finish Last" Cobra Starship

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Yeah...I listen to a lot of Muse. You should too, duh!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Monday, xoxo!

-V

(I'm not listing any songs because, well...they're pretty much all already on this playlist!)