"I'll be eighty seven, you'll be eighty nine
I'll still look at you like the stars that shine
In the sky, oh my my my...."
//taylor swift

Four days after John Ed turned eighteen, he got married to his sweetheart, Jolene. In the minister's house, with just a few family members in attendance, John Ed and Jolene became Mr. and Mrs. Castleberry. The occasion was such a quiet affair that John Ed's younger brother opted to wait in the car instead of coming in for the ceremony.

The next day, John Ed went back to work. There was no party, no honeymoon, no celebration. They were married and that was all that mattered.

Two kids, a few grandchildren, and fifty years later, the Castleberry's son and his wife wanted to give John Ed and Jolene the wedding they never had. And so, in a beautiful mansion by the river, with all their friends and family in attendence, Jolene and John Ed once again promised themselves to each other. "Here's to the next fifty!" John Ed joked.

I'd never met the Castleberrys before that day, but they felt like family by the end. There's something so magical about being allowed to capture these special, sacred moments. And yes, I cried, because life is too short to be a stranger. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. And the stories! Oh, the stories. I could have listened to them all day.

Jolene and John Ed are the most loving, Christ-like couple and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face the whole day. Here's to the next fifty, indeed.

My brother told me that I make everything look better it really is, but I believe anything can be an adventure if you make it one. We went berry picking today, out in the fields before the sun grew too hot. Now there will be blackberries and blueberries to make jam with and sprinkle on top of warm, syrupy waffles and eat like candy.

Oh, and I got out my burry pickin' duds too, gosh darn it. Bringin' back 1994 and representin' Oklahoma. (thumbs up for my okie accent? ;) I swear the longer I live here the thicker it gets....)

This is the story of a girl who was practically mobbed because she was mistaken for Taylor Swift.

But let me back up first.

I'm not sure what people see, but scarcely an outing goes by without someone telling me that I look like Taylor Swift. Like, it happens so often that I've even come up with a comeback in advance because goodness knows that coming up with a good comeback spur of the moment is the worst.

Then Thursday night rolls around. I was at a local concert and who knows what was going on, but people started thinking that I actually was Taylor (what is this madness).I was just sitting on the curb, listening to the music and minding my own business, when a gaggle of little girls appeared. One by one, they came up to me, asking if I was Taylor Swift, and if I wasn't, then if I was another singer. I laughed and said no, but they insisted on an autograph. And gosh darn it, I should've gotten a picture with them because it was just too cute.

But wait, the craziness is just starting. Later I was bicycling home when a group of teenagers let out a yell. I turned my head and they started screaming. No sooner did the cacophony begin when a boy started running after me at top speed--no really, he was BOOKING it--and yelled, "Taylor! Wait! Taylooooorrrrr!" I was just in total confusion and stopped my bike. Out of breath, he finally caught up with me, and was all, "Taylor! Oh my gosh it really is you! Can I get your autograph?!?!" I kinda stared at him and said, "Um, I'm not Taylor..." but he thought I was lying (my mom didn't help things by asking him not to tell anyone "Taylor" was in town ;)). He just wanted his dang autograph, for gosh sakes! I found a half broken pen in my purse, but no paper, so I signed his arm. And then he ran off and lived happily ever after.

I can't make this stuff up, guys. Now my mom is telling me I should go into the impersonation business....hahaha.

Hope you're having the best Saturday :)

The sun is back. Thank God.

I felt as if I could swim in yesterday evening's light.