Today, Tuesday 3rd, Andrew is heading back to Italy, while Alicia is staying in Boston to finish up her masters degree.

Consequently, although there’s much to talk about, I’m going to have to move on from this magical engagement moment and move back into my more routine (if that word ever applies to the life-charged life!) posts.

So here are three of my favorite photographs from the weekend to wrap things up for right now.

The first (above) was taken at lunchtime Sunday. We attended Providence Presbyterian Church, then went to the home of friends for “wedding leftovers.” It’s a treat – after a big wedding – to spend some quiet “down time” with the family and actually get to visit. It turns out that Alicia is someone it’s worth taking the time to get to know.

The other photographs were taken Saturday, all dressed up for the big event. As you can see from the sunglasses, Andrew and Alicia have a deeply playful streak!  They are so natural together, and the relationship is obviously so genuine.

My nieces made the backdrop for the picture on the bench. Jordan and Lindsay – both 17 – are extremely creative. They came early to work long and hard on decorating projects. Kudos to them.

The bottom line for today’s post is how good Rebekah and I feel about this coming marriage. It’s refreshing to see two young adults together who are so much in love, so deeply committed in terms of faith, and so much fun to be around.

I’m not kidding when I say I have four children now. Andrew, Naomi, Craig, and now Alicia. We are truly blessed.

– In love, and because of love – DEREK