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Sunday, May 24

Nashville & Nuptials

Nashville. Oh how I love you. I have decided that I could live here if I need another change. It's exactly like Charlotte, just take the NASCAR out and add A LOT of music. Not just Country, but all music. The area between all the colleges (Vandi, Belmont, and Trivecca) is eclectic and fun. Stores that smell of history. A book store that has shelves packed with used copies of the classics. I found a very nice copy of the Great Gatsby for under $7 and a new copy is over $15 at Barnes and Noble. A SoHo style shop with art and jewelry just my style. As I'm typing this it escapes me the name of the store. I hope the have a web site.



Music Row was a quick little tour, but just driving by the studios that sat between the buildings where the greats have recorded was by far worth it.



Instead of "riding up and down Broadway on my ol' Stud LeRoy", we walked up and down Broadway stopping at every bar to listen to the bands playing in hopes of being "discovered". The orchid exterior of Tootsies Orchid Lounge, the Southern-Rock influence at Legends, and then breaking off Broadway to look through The Wild Horse Saloon, and Historic Printers Alley.



The musical history in this town is overwhelming. Walking through the Ryman Auditorium is enough to bring a person who dreamed of being an artist to tears. So you can guess that as I stood on the stage looking out over the rows of pews and up into the balcony, I was in awe. Walking through the dressing rooms that have been dedicated to the greats like Johnny Cash, Minnie Pearl, Hank Sr., and the Women of the Opry, makes you appreciate them so much more.



On to the wedding, Ashley has this incredible creativity that I wish I had. I appreciate it greatly, and always think, "why didn't I think of that?" Her boho, out-door, eco-chic wedding was amazing. The olive and coral colors that I couldn't picture when it was explained came together perfectly. And seeing my step-cousin Brandon trying to pull it together as she stood with her mom behind the glass doors, made me dream of finding my true-love. They are the epitome of what true-love looks like.

The wedding was so simple, but it was the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to. Brandon's younger brother Zach sang during communion. He's truly a talented individual. Ashley's mom is an arts and crafts phenom! She made four wall hangings, wreaths, and I'm not sure what else. The reception was dubbed "let them eat cake". A nice three-tier cake, along with 6 specialty cakes from Publix, which rivaled cakes from any up-scale bakery. They had "photo booths" of pieces of 7x10 cloth in different patterns that friends of the bride and groom snapped shots from these funky cool cameras. The best was the send off. Most couples only give a small amount of bird seed about the size of a gumball. Ashley made little pouches from left over material and gave three handfuls of seed in each pouch. When you have 30 people throwing that much seed, it can get messy. Then it turned into throw it at each other. We had seed all in our hair, down our dresses, just everywhere.

After the wedding I had some of the best pasta I have ever had. Mafiaoza's is amazing. The pizza isn't as good as my beloved Lola's in South Hills of Charleston, but the dish aptly named "the Mark" was so tasty! Go there. Try it. Love it!

On Sunday, while trying to spot some country singers my brother called my mom with some sad news. A girl my brother graduated with, the sister of a girl I graduated with, was boating with their younger sister on the Kanawha River when they struck a barge. Both were injured, and Jill, who was driving the boat, later passed. Their 16-yr-old sister is still in the hospital. Jill was only 23. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Divita family. Jennifer and I were some-what friends in high school, and I can't imagine what she is going through. So add them into your prayers for a little help through this trying time.

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