14 february

After spending time with Jess, I’ve felt so inspired to live & create more. With school & work, I can sometimes forget the activities & hobbies I truly love doing, alone or with others. Jess mentioned to me that she spends her mornings doing yoga & in quiet time with the Lord before checking her email, blogs, etc. I think this would be a very healthy way for me to make a sort-of routine for myself, a way to start the day off right. So instead of checking blogs in the morning before my first class, I plan to sit down & slowly eat breakfast while reading my bible (by the way, Luke & I are reading Matthew- it is so good!). If I have enough time, I would like to work on a creative project like the scarf that I’m currently knitting. By doing this, I hope to feel closer to & be reminded of God daily & live the creative, healthy life He intended for me. 

So thank you, Jess!

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& onto Valentine’s Day- I never thought Luke would plan something for Valentine’s Day (it being such a commercial holiday), but he knew I was a sucker for this day of celebrated love so he planned a perfect evening. 

He surprised me with a homemade Valentine (featured above), made of cardboard & colored pencils, & a box of dark chocolate-covered strawberries from the candy shop in downtown. We road our bikes, him in his blue three-piece suit & me in my red dress found while dumpster-diving, to Felini’s: a greek cuisine restaurant. It was delicious! We always order two different entrees & split them so that we can try everything. I love that about him- he gets just as excited about trying out food as I do. Then, we came back to my house, lit some candles, & watched When Harry Met Sally. It was so funny! Luke & I loved it so much. 

Our first Valentine’s Day together & engaged! It was wonderful 🙂

On Sunday, I spent my morning making breakfast with Luke & going to church. After church, I went to Ann’s nesting shower. Instead of a card, I bought a tiny nest with three eggs & placed the Target gift card inside. It was too lovely not to photograph.

As for this week, I’m drowning in exams & papers. It doesn’t matter, though- this weekend Tori‘s coming to visit Columbia! I’m off the entire weekend so we will have so much time to talk & bake & just do what we love doing together. I’m so excited!!

love,

Natalie