Weekend Blowout

I knew the weekend was going to be "go big or go home."

It's was the perfect recipe for a blowout...beautiful weather, end of the semester, Cville, a great friend's wedding, reunion of friends, wine, visiting my second family in Cville, and possibly a NASCAR race...

I hauled it up to Cville on Friday as soon as the big, yellow buses hauled the students home.

First stop, was the Williams B & D for a quick pit stop before heading to the Rehearsal Dinner for Ed School Kat's wedding. It was at Guad...so we all know I was in! Big Momma Morris and I got taco salad. Then, we rehearsed at the UVA Chapel. A beautiful place to have a wedding. I tripped. I had no clue what I was doing. We had fun. Next, Christina, Rebecca, and I chilled together while eating Sun Chips.

On Saturday, I got a good nostalgic, prayerful run in. Then, Christina and I headed to the Farmer's Market while picking up a stranded Swimmer Kat. We ate at Blue Grass. I got ready for Miss Browning's wedding. After pictures, zipping zippers, and smiling as vows were pronounced, Miss Browning was now Mrs. Shifflett. Many friends were in town. So, we organized and headed to a vineyard to enjoy each other before the reception. The reception was beautiful. It was outside with some down home food. Perfect! Then, I wished my best to the Bride and Groom, said goodbye to Steph and Jim, and off we were in Blizzard headed to Richmond. The mission was clear-get into the NASCAR race. We won! Free seats on the frontstretch.

Sunday found graduation pictures and hanging out with my second family in Cville.

Ed School Kat is my longest friendship I've had from the people I met at UVA. We met at the beginning of second year when she sat down next to me in the back row of our first Ed School class. I knew we'd be immediate friends since she liked the back row. Over the years, we shared our lives--differences and similarities, ups and downs, sickness ( I tried to track her down at the UVA ER unsuccessfully) and health (I 'forced' her to run a 5K with me), trauma and celebrations. Through it all, we were real and appreciative of knowing a 'down home' friend at UVA. I wish her and Lee the best!

And, this is what went down...

Farmer's Market with Christina and Swimmer Kat

A first--Blue Grass for Breakfast

Christina kindly let me bunk with her. No frets, T & D Bed and Breakfast still provided bedding.

Let's have a wedding...the day we've talked about for years.

After the wedding we headed to Horton Vineyard near the reception.

Melanie and Scot

Rebecca...we had to.

All the girls at Horton Vineyard. (minus Karen, the oh so amicable wine pourer)

T Squared (my GPS) took us on gravel roads to the reception. Blizzard did fine. Mel's pink sports car, umm ya...

As I said, we had to...

Bride and Groom...Mr. and Mrs. Shifflett

Their reception may upstage my potluck...darn it! Their Mac & Cheese creamed Paula Deen's!

Leaving the reception, about to throw on different clothes...

...for the NASCAR race at Richmond. We walked right in for FREE.

Celebrating FREE seats 50 yards from Start/Finish line. (First race for Christina-conversion in progress)

Woohoo, what a day!

NASCAR partner for life!

2 years ago, Kyle Busch won when we were there. Swimmer Kat sticks up an inappropriate finger.

Perfect time, for another graduation photo shoot on a Sunday--Ed School style.

Christina and I

Rebecca and I

(remembering the days of every professor mixing up or mispronouncing our names)

Moral of the Story: Distance may separate you, but true friendship prevails. All of us are in different places in Virginia, different places in life, yet I love all of them and want to meet at their place in life. Let's journey together.