Brooke's Insights

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Summer Pictures

I cannot believe this summer is already quickly coming to a close. This summer I began a new job, which I thoroughly enjoy. Although I am working more hours I was still able to squeeze in fun time with my family and friends.

My family along with my friend Christian and Nicole's fiance took a trip to Cedar Point. We had a great time riding all the raging roller coasters.

Dad and Jack on the Power Tower

Nicole and all of us bridesmaids were able to meet up one Saturday afternoon. We had such a wonderful time shopping for our wedding shoes, eating, and simply talking and catching up with one another. It is a rare occasion that Nicole gets to be with all friends, seeing they live in California, Michigan, and Missouri.

After a great time of shopping and eating at a local pizzeria we headed over to get some pictures together.

The summer would never be complete with a few stops to the local gyros place. This summer I was able to introduce my friend, Kemisha, to gyros. Although I believe she was rather leery of eating "lamb" we all enjoyed the time together.

Being so close to the Dunes. An evening family picnic has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember.

Lauren, Kemisha, and I successfully completely a rather intense hike at the dunes. Although the sun was beating upon us and the sand dunes seemed never ending. We completely our trail which ended at beautiful Lake Michigan.

One day I was able to take a day off work to go to Shipshewanna. My family and I enjoyed our time in Amish Country.

My sisters and I

Lastly, a summer would ever be complete with a couple trip to the County Fair!

Elephant Ears!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

All that she ever wanted and more

I remember the very first time I met him. In fact, I remember the very first thought I thought about him.

We met up in Chicago for a Photography Shoot. Upon meeting him, he immediately offered my sisters and I a coffee on him. As we entered the coffee shop- he held the door. I immediately made a mental check mark.

Gentleman

Unbenoticed to this poor fellow he was definitely under my extreme interrogation. For the rest of the day I scrutinized every step that he made. However, in the process I made several observations about him. I noticed how well he treated his sister. I once again made a mental check mark.

Loves his family- will one day be a "family man"

The rest of the day my little mind was furiously at work. Did anyone else see it? I mean, was I the only one who saw that this young man and my big sister went absolutely perfectly together. I remember scheming to get them in a picture together. I knew she would thank me one day.

Eventually, that young man, Jack, and Nicole started dating. Luckily I was able to tag along on a few of their outings. I remember one of their very first dates: Bowling!

Once again, I simply sat back and observed. On the way home, Nicole seemed to have a gleam about her; I actually think she was glowing! We drove home in silence. Nicole no doubt gloating over the fact that she had just had one of the most amazing days ever. However, I on the other hand began to go back in my mind to a several years before. I thought back to the times when my sisters and I would all come together in one room and have our slumber parties together. Somehow the topic of "boys" always came up. We would all share and discuss the kind of man we wanted to marry.

As I went through her list mentally in mind I once again began to make mental check marks.

I smiled to myself- He is a perfect description of her list

A short time later Nicole and I traveled to Jack's place for a game night. I once again had a great time playing games and getting to know some of Jack's siblings. However, I enjoyed quietly sitting back and watching Jack and my sister.

Something about Jack brought the kid out in my sister. I noticed He could make her laugh like no one else. I noticed how he would simply look at her and smile to himself, as if he were saying- "lucky, lucky me"

On the way home Nicole and I chattered, she simply could not stop speaking about him. He had the ability to make my sister the happiest woman in the world. And that's when I determined- I completely and entirely approved of this young man in my sister's life.

A few weeks ago, Jack popped over at our house and surprised Nicole. He then took her to the dunes for a picnic.

There at Lake Michigan he asked my sister to be his wife.

You know, in my mind I had a plan of exactly how I wanted to react when I heard my sister got engaged. In my mind I wanted to jump up scream and hug her. However, when she walked into the door and screamed, "I'm engaged!" A lump came in my throat. Instead of jumping up and screaming like I had every intention of doing, I simply sat there and starred.

And then I realized that Jack was truly all my sister ever wanted and so, so much more.