Derrick & Katie's Wedding

This weekend was spent celebrating Derrick and Katie's wedding in Jekyll Island. Derrick is my best friend's, Cassie, brother. So really, he's like my brother too. I'll never forget the time we were all just hanging out and he said, "Jamie, whenever you get married, I want to meet the guy. I have to approve first." Of course I just laughed at him and said, "Okay." And he said, "No, I'm serious. I have to meet him first." So yeah, I consider Derrick a brother. And Katie is the sweetest person you will ever meet. So I was thrilled to be able to celebrate with them on this exciting occasion.

Friday morning Alison and I left for Jekyll. The six hour drive absolutely flew by. It did for me anyway. Isn't it weird that we can get to parts of Florida in only five hours, but it took six hours just to get to the other side of our state? We discussed this in the car. So weird. Anyway, we got there just in time to freshen up for the rehearsal dinner which was held in at the Beach Pavilion.

This is our hotel. Not the Pavilion.

If you know me, you know my love of seafood. Seriously, I'm a seafood junkie. My dad grew up in Miami and has family in Cocoa and Melbourne. There is also family in the Bahamas and when he was little they used to boat there all the time. Needless to say, seafood as pretty much been a staple in our family since I can remember. Lobster, shrimp, fish, calamari, clams, crab legs, conch....seriously, I could eat it all every single day. So when I found out the dinner was low country boil, I was more than excited. And it didn't disappoint.

This was the view from dinner. Stunning.

The three besties. <3

And Travis T. My dream is to have him and Will in a room together at the same time. The amount of laughing that would take place would surely kill me. Those two are the funniest people on the planet.

After dinner, Cassie, Alison and I walked down to the beach to dip our toes in the water and to take some pictures.

Me and C.

And of course I couldn't leave without representing KSIBTU since it was K's b-day!!

After a quick little visit on the beach, we headed back to the hotel. Side note: I find it fascinating that I've seen the Pacific Ocean more times in the past three years than I have seen the Atlantic in the past probably five (at least) years. And I only live six hours away. Anyway, what did we come across on the way?

Why, this gorgeous sunset!

Once we got back to the hotel, we ran into some of the wedding guests in the lobby and sat around and talked. Mostly about our wreck. Everyone wanted to know what had happened, how we were, and how all the insurance stuff was going. Everywhere we went we were greeted with, "Oh....you were the three in the wreck!" Yes, yes we were. Anyway, after a while we headed outside to the pool for a lingerie shower under the stars. And it was so much fun. Gifts were opened, drinks were consumed, and lots of laughing ensued. Katie was given advice by all the other married ladies and then that's when the craziness began. Pool boys were asked if they wanted to be dates for the wedding. Valet boys were asked if they had friends they could bring to be dates for the wedding. And when we were infiltrated by another wedding party, they started called all the single men they knew who were there to see if they wanted to be dates for the wedding. Really, it was hilarious. In the end, no dates were had. After a long day of travel, it was finally time to head back to the room to rest up for the big day.

But not before a little "Cupid Shuffle" action in the room.

The next morning, while everyone else started prepping for the wedding, Alison and I decided to try our skills at riding bikes. I honestly can't tell you when the last time I rode a bike was. Seriously. They say it's something you never forget, but I had my doubts those first few minutes behind the handle bars. I was literally doubled over in laughter the first ten minutes. At least. And it didn't help when Alison ran right off the sidewalk. Gah, that still makes me laugh out loud. Anyway, after a little while, we got the hang of it. And it was a beautiful ride! We rode down to what they call "Driftwood Beach" and after walking around for a bit, turned around and rode back.

This is what most of the ride looked like.

Driftwood Beach

I drifted onto shore with this here tree ;)

After our ride back, we ran up to the room to grab a few things (snacks, haha!) before heading back out to do more exploring around the island. First, we drove the same route as our bike ride so see just how far we had gone. We thought it was going to be six miles, turns out it was 10. Sweet. Then we headed towards the beach.

On our way I had to stop and take a picture of this for the QuadPod :)

As we passed the beach, we saw that the sandbar was out really, really far and people were out walking across it. We decided to hit a few shops, grab a few souvenirs, drinks, and some lunch before heading back to the hotel to throw on our bathing suits. But when we got back to the beach, the sandbar was already gone. Bummer. We had about an hour before we needed to be back at the hotel so we settled down to catch some rays. And it was so windy. Like, our towels wouldn't even stay on the ground windy. Then after about five minutes of laying on the towels, I turned to Alison and said, "Is your towel wet?" We had decided to lay on the "hard sand" for reasons that are beyond me and why is the sand hard? Because it's wet, duh!! Then I sit up and turn to look at the water and what do you know, it's about two feet from us. Hello, high tide!! So we moved the towels a bit. And then decided to just leave altogether. Alison had just bought her towel for $6 at one of the shops so she decided just to throw it away. My towel was one of our nice beach towels from home and when I picked it up, I kid you not, it weighed at least 20 pounds. Aaaand, it ended up in the trash too. What? How was I supposed to get that sand-filled, waterlogged towel back home. No worries, we have enough beach towels in my house to towel a small army. So after that little fiasco, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding.

Ready for the ceremony to start!

Mr. & Mrs. Derrick Manley!!!

The besties after the ceremony.

After to the ceremony it was off to the ballroom for lots of yummy food, speeches that had the whole room crying and lots of dancing!!

"Reid's Girls"

<3>

<3>

Mr. T again. After his awesome speech. Seriously, in between laughing hysterically, there wasn't a dry eye.

Me and C on the dance floor. Probably after "Cherry Bomb." Check out that hair!! Yep, I've been dancing alright.

Sparklers!!!

And they're off!

It was seriously a great weekend all around. It was great getting away for a few days the week after our wreck. Just to be able to relax and enjoy such an awesome occasion with awesome people was just what the doctor ordered.

It was a beautiful wedding and I wish Derrick and Katie all the happiness in the world.

Until next time Jekyll Island, it was real.

Dear Giselle,

Today would've been your fourth birthday.

Do you remember the day I brought you home?

You weren't my first car. But you were the first car I ever bought all by myself. And for that, you will always hold a special place in my heart. You really were a beauty. And you know what, you've been on quite a few adventures!!

Just a weeks short of your 1st birthday, I took you to Panama City on spring break. You were great. You made it there with a whole 1/4 of a tank of gas left!! Bless you. One morning, Brittney and I walked out to the parking deck to run some errands and when I went to sit down in my seat I was greeted with glass. I looked around and what did I find? A busted window!

Do you remember that time someone broke into you? You must've felt so violated!

We had to patch you up until we got back to Carrollton and could get you to a repair shop. And the idiots who busted you not only busted your little back window, but in the process managed to ef up the the molding and weather strips around you. So the whole back window was replaced. And all was well again.

Three months later you made a trip back to the beach. This time it was to Cape San Blas.

Lookin' good in the sand, girl!

No worries. This time there were no break ins. You just did your thing soaking up the sun for a week.

Spring Break 2008 you were back to your traveling ways. This time it was to Orlando! Disney World, Islands of Adventure, Universal, and a Braves spring training game were all on the agenda. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of you from this trip. I promise you had a good time though. And no parts of you were violated.

Summer of 2008 you were at your traveling best again. Where to this time? The Hoosier State of course!! You took me and Cassie to the DCI World Championships. We picked up Kyle along the way. That was the year Regiment won 1st place!! Again, I don't have any pictures of you from this trip. I'm sorry. But do you remember getting lost in the middle of nowhere as we were approaching Louisville? That crazy GPS had the Louisville Slugger museum in the middle of a pasture! You kept us safe though.

Last summer you were back at the beach, you little beach bum! It was back to Panama City. I promised you you wouldn't get beat up again. That's the only way I could get you to go. And everything was fine! You got us there and back safely.

If only you could tell the stories of the things we did and the places we went!

Really Giselle, you've been on so many adventures. With so many people. From snowstorms, to floods, and tornados, you've see the most intense of weather. And it's Georgia so I'm sure you've seen a tropical storm or two.

You've been snowed on too many times. Three times this year alone!

From the beach to the midwest, concerts, movies, Braves games, Tech games, sleeping in you overnight, and weddings. You've been to so many weddings. And it was on the way to one of the weddings that your life was cut short.

Saturday April 3, 2010 will be a date I won't soon forget.

While on our way to Caroline & Tim's wedding, at approximately 2:30 pm, Cassie, Alison and I were in a wreck that we should NOT have walked away from. I know God had a lot to do with it. He wasn't done with us. That much is clear. But you Giselle, you held up to the test. And what a test it was.

Seriously.

While exiting I-20, traveling east, onto Highway 61 in Villa Rica, the light was green as I approached. And you know those pesky lights, they change so quickly!! So I slowed down considerably. And as I was about to say to Cassie and Alison, "It is so scary coming to a light like this when it's green," I looked to my left to see a car plowing towards us. There was nothing I could do. The lady in the other car never even braked. We were hit at full speed. And it was the scariest moment of my life. I will never forget opening my eyes and seeing my two best friends; clearly in shock and pain. I was more worried about them than anything.

It seemed like an eternity passed before someone ran up to the car to check on us. At that point I had realized my arm was pouring blood. Bruises were already starting to form on each of us. And my arms and legs were going numb. Then I realized I was pinned basically between the grill of the other car and your center console, Giselle.

The door was pushed in two feet. And my seat was pulled under the door.

And that's when I lost it. I needed out of the car right away. I couldn't handle it. I was completely hysterical. Cassie had to calm me down. And finally, after what seemed like another eternity, emergency personnel showed up. And I honestly can't tell you who was first on the scene. But as soon as they asked if we were ok, I just said, "I need out of my car!!" I probably should've waited. They probably should've made sure I was ok first. But as soon as Alison got out, I kicked off my 4" heels, wiggled my way out of the seat, and crawled out as fast as I could, even walking over glass with bare feet. There was a guy who had stopped to help and he put out jackets in the back of his cargo van for us to sit on/in. I wish I knew his name. I'd send him a card.

Some time passed and ambulances arrived and we were all loaded up. Alison and I went in one and Cassie and the driver of the other car went in the other. Our EMTs were great! They had us laughing and took such good care of us. I wish I knew their names too. On the ride I asked Alison if it was her first time in an ambulance. She said, yes. It was mine too. Another first to add to our list of adventures we've been on together. And that was the last time I saw you that day, Giselle.

We were taken to Tanner in Villa Rica and were each put into our own rooms. I wish we could've been in one room. The three of us, we're always together. It didn't feel right. One by one our parents arrived. Happy we were alive. Alison was the first to be released. After a neck and chest scan, I was next. Then came the news that Cassie had to stay overnight due to a bowel contusion from the seatbelt. At that point, all of us were walking like old women. And the bruises and cuts were unreal. They always say the soreness after a wreck is the worst. They weren't kidding. We also had lots of visitors in the hospital.

While I was still at the hospital, Dad found out where they took you and went to get some of my belongings. My computer being the biggest concern. When he saw you, he said he lost it. His best friend, Mike, just walked over and patted him on the shoulder. I'm sure it was tough. If it would've been up to me, my parents never would've seen you. I knew it was bad. Then when we finally left the hospital, we drove by again to show mom. She lost it too. At that point, I was so in shock, exhausted, and doped up on drugs, that it was all a bit fuzzy.

The next day was Easter and boy was I sore. I could only sleep on my back because of all the bruises. And I am NOT a back sleeper. It wasn't a good night. But I got up and limped to church anyway. And confession, I can't tell you one thing that was said in that sermon. Or one song we sang that morning. I was so out of it with the pain killers and muscle relaxers. After breakfast with the family, I came home and went back to sleep. And woke up just in time to leave for Easter at my aunt's.

Monday, Dad and I went back to check you out. And to say goodbye one last time. And I knew it was bad, Giselle. I just didn't know how bad until I saw you again. It was really bad. All the cuts from the glass, they're starting to heal. And some of the bruises are going away. But some of the bruises are getting worse. And some new ones keep appearing. The headaches have stopped and my neck isn't really bothering me anymore. And the only thing I'm having to take right now is Motrin. Things are getting better. Slowly.

You were good to me. You were good to my friends. You are a part of lots of amazing memories. Somehow you managed to get us through that wreck. I really did love you. I took care of you. I kept you clean, mostly. I know you were a little dirty the day you died. It's spring. The pollen is out in full force. I'm sorry you weren't shiny and clean on the day you went to automobile Heaven. I hope you can forgive me. I hope parts of you will be sent on to other cars that have had misfortunes. Like your tires. Three of your tires are still in perfect condition. Your back window. I think it was ok. And your whole front end. And your engine. Your engine worked perfectly.

You'll be replaced with time. I'm sure many cars will come in and out of my life. But I will never forget you. It was in you that I realized I have a lot to live for. A lot to be happy about. And a lot to look forward to.

RIP Giselle

April 8, 2006-April 3, 2010

Love,

Your Bruised Owner.

Final Draft.

It's official. These are our show cards. I'm in love with them. So much.

"Your whole life is in your face...and I love that face."

The Yellow Handkerchief. Have you heard of it? I give you two points and a high five if you have. It's an indie movie that was filmed back in 2008 and thanks to Samuel Goldwyn Films, it's finally found its way to movie theaters. I had to drive into Atlanta to a little four-screen theater that shows indie films to be able to see it, but at this point you probably know I'd travel to the ends of the earth to see a Kristen Stewart movie :)

I'm not going to lie about it though, I was a little nervous about this one. Mainly because I didn't want my friends to pay $11 and hate it. So needless to say, I was thrilled when the movie was over and Alison turned to me and said, "I liked that." Very thrilled. And I loved the movie. Everything about it.

I had read several reviews that said the beginning was slow, but that towards the middle, the story pulls you in and it sets into a rhythm. I actually felt like the whole thing moved at a pretty good pace. I was never bored. The only time I felt a little rushed was in the beginning. I feel like getting these three strangers Martine (Kristen Stewart), Gordy (Eddie Redmayne), and Brett (William Hurt) into the car together was a bit forced.

Willam Hurt is absolutely brilliant. Really in everything he does, but I especially loved him in this movie. The character he plays has just been released from prison when he meets these two teenage strangers. And everything he does, everything he says, everything that they go through together, he seems so unaffected by it all. But when he smiles, that smile bleeds across the screen. It's contagious really. In the beginning he has a few things to teach his two new teenage companions, but in the end, it turns out that they actually have a few things to teach him in return.

Now Eddie Redmayne's character Gordy is quite the character. He might annoy the crap out of you. He might confuse you. He might have you wondering if he's autistic or has some kind of mental disability, but one thing's for sure, he will make you laugh like you've never laughed before. He's hilarious. I loved Gordy so much. And to see his character broken down and show his true self, was an awesome thing in the end. And really, in the end, you find out he has a quite profound way of thought.

While Maria Bello's character, May, might have been a small one, it was crucial to the story. And she was at the top of her game once again. Really loved her and all that the brought to the story.

And Kristen Stewart. She, once again, doesn't disappoint. A good southern accent is hard to do, but I thought she did a great job with it. And I don't know what it was about this character, but it was unlike any other character she's ever played. While she's playing another broken teenage girl, there's something about Martine that's light and airy and Kristen brought that out very well. I can't quite put my finger on it. But it might be my new favorite of hers. I need to see it again.

And the cinematography is gorgeous! It was filmed in post-Katrina Louisiana and it was absolutely stunning. Another thing I loved about the filming was the use of yellow in nearly every shot. If there wasn't a yellow object in the shot, the lighting had a yellow tint. And sometimes there were both. I loved it. You know I did. And the ending with all the yellow handkerchiefs has inspired my photography final.

In the end, this is a great movie about love, loss, and second chances.

If you get the opportunity, take someone you love and go check it out.