This past weekend I got the privilege of having my grandparents visit us in Tennessee. They live right outside of Lexington, Kentucky in the same city that my mother and father, father's parents, aunts and uncles, cousins...most of my extended family live. After I was born in Lexington and moved away, going back to Kentucky was always exciting for me because each visit was like a family reunion. When they moved away to Virginia, my grandparents home became a getaway that I always looked forward to. We would take the short trip to Washington DC which shaped some of my most vivid memories of our country's rich history. I have always taken pride in the fact that my grandfather served in the military especially when I saw the sacrifices of so many lives on the memorials and the graveyards in Washington. My grandparents (Nana and Papa) English and Irish roots helped to shape my ancestry, one that I am very proud of. I just wanted to share a few things that they have shown me in my life in case they didn't already know.
What a marriage should be: I have always loved watching my grandparents interact. Their marriage has always been a true example of a real, Christ centered marriage. They pick at each other, express disappointments/frustrations, but most importantly they love and care for each other the way that most people only see in movies or read in books. Papa got a tattoo of a heart when he was in the service with Nana's name scrolled over the center, that's classic love. Last week as we played cornhole at my brothers house (apparently cornhole ability is linked genetically, cause Papa can throw!!!) Nana sat there and cheered him on like they had just started dating. What a great legacy of marriage that has been established for us!
Encouragement: My Nana and Papa also are 2 of the best encouragers that I have ever had. Anytime I needed a note or boost of encouragement I would get a hand written letter with just the right words. Everytime I visit them they also have a very special way of making me feel as though I am exactly where God wants me.
Commitment to family: My Nana and Papa have always enjoyed visiting family and having family over to their house. From the always abounding spread of delicious foods laid out in a very chic fashion, to the drinks including Ale-8 (of course) and a flavorful punch of some sort there was/is always plenty to satisfy any appetite. One of my favorite things about eating Nana's hors d'oeuvres is trying to figure out what each dessert actually is. Nana is and always has been a classy lady and loves a good classy dessert. Rarely will you find a simple cookie but rather something that looks like it came out of a Southern Living magazine: cookie edition. While we are on the subject of fancy desserts, I can't leave out Papa's Bourbon balls. A holiday tradition for years, my grandfather concocts these magical chocolate covered cream circles with a "touch" of bourbon to give them a good ole Kentucky kick that are always a favorite. Aside from food the conversations around the fireplace are always memorable. Whether its with immediate or extended family members it is great to catch up and hear stories about my mother that make me think she might actually not have been the perfect child. I hope that my home will be a place where as much laughter and family memories can be shared.
I am extremely lucky to have such a great family around me. Immediate family, distant family, and friends that are just like family make my life what it is. I thank my grandparents for the sacrifices that they made for their kids and the foundation that they laid for those of us that have followed. I still think we could take just about any family in a cornhole tournament too...
What a marriage should be: I have always loved watching my grandparents interact. Their marriage has always been a true example of a real, Christ centered marriage. They pick at each other, express disappointments/frustrations, but most importantly they love and care for each other the way that most people only see in movies or read in books. Papa got a tattoo of a heart when he was in the service with Nana's name scrolled over the center, that's classic love. Last week as we played cornhole at my brothers house (apparently cornhole ability is linked genetically, cause Papa can throw!!!) Nana sat there and cheered him on like they had just started dating. What a great legacy of marriage that has been established for us!
Encouragement: My Nana and Papa also are 2 of the best encouragers that I have ever had. Anytime I needed a note or boost of encouragement I would get a hand written letter with just the right words. Everytime I visit them they also have a very special way of making me feel as though I am exactly where God wants me.
Commitment to family: My Nana and Papa have always enjoyed visiting family and having family over to their house. From the always abounding spread of delicious foods laid out in a very chic fashion, to the drinks including Ale-8 (of course) and a flavorful punch of some sort there was/is always plenty to satisfy any appetite. One of my favorite things about eating Nana's hors d'oeuvres is trying to figure out what each dessert actually is. Nana is and always has been a classy lady and loves a good classy dessert. Rarely will you find a simple cookie but rather something that looks like it came out of a Southern Living magazine: cookie edition. While we are on the subject of fancy desserts, I can't leave out Papa's Bourbon balls. A holiday tradition for years, my grandfather concocts these magical chocolate covered cream circles with a "touch" of bourbon to give them a good ole Kentucky kick that are always a favorite. Aside from food the conversations around the fireplace are always memorable. Whether its with immediate or extended family members it is great to catch up and hear stories about my mother that make me think she might actually not have been the perfect child. I hope that my home will be a place where as much laughter and family memories can be shared.
I am extremely lucky to have such a great family around me. Immediate family, distant family, and friends that are just like family make my life what it is. I thank my grandparents for the sacrifices that they made for their kids and the foundation that they laid for those of us that have followed. I still think we could take just about any family in a cornhole tournament too...
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