Love.

Two of my favorites: Mer and John.
Photo by the incredibly talented Alison Lassiter, alisonlassiter.com

There was much love this weekend in a very tangible display of what happens when a lot of people come together around that love to make something beautiful. It was so wonderful to be a part of the wedding of one of my best friends who I've known since middle school to a solid, funny, deserving man who I now consider to be another one of my best friends (I'm fortunate to have many).

To celebrate with her family, who I have known since I was so young, and all of our girlfriends that have grown up together was an experience that I'll forever cherish. Every single person there was full of joy for them, there to have a good time and to celebrate and honor this amazing couple. We had so much fun with this extended group of fantastic people, instantly clicking with the friends they've gathered from all of their life paths. It's not at all surprising that these two have attracted a beautiful community around them.

It got me thinking a lot about love and the power of it. There was so much to go around: a regular love fest of happy tears and hearty laughs and hugs all weekend long from rehearsal dinner speeches to a post-wedding day school bus ride to the beach. It was real and beautiful and it made my soul so happy to stand there beside her to see her through this most important day in her life.

I truly believe that love can give us the strength to get through anything. Whether it's self love, love of a life partner, love toward a friend, a child, a pet, it's what carries us through the difficult times and what magnifies the good times. Everything is just that more beautiful when you can share it with someone you love.