Family Photo

May is coming up on 2 months now, and growing a lot!  In the pictures I see of her, she is changing all the time.  I'm so anxious to meet her in person - skyping with Trish is great, but I want to try holding her!  I go back and look at this picture a lot; I love it so much.  Their first family photo!  right after the birth.  They all look amazing :)

Introducing...

May Kathryn Duffy!  born on Sunday the 23rd, in Cairo, Egypt, shortly before the supermoon rose into the sky.  Both she and Trish are happy and healthy.  In fact, I took this picture during our video call just 3 days after the birth, and I couldn't believe how alert May already looked!  And also Trish looked amazing, but that doesn't really surprise me :)  She said she feels "over the moon and super in love all the time!" and that birth is an indescribable, awe-inspiring experience.

Here is some video taken during May's first days, which Justin put together, if you'd like to see.  She is so beautiful!  Can't wait to meet her in person.

Much love to the new parents,
xomo

ps:  By the way, she is not normally that brilliant shade of pink; that's just something weird from the computer lighting/photo taking.

They did it!

 Trish and J tied the knot this past weekend!  Hooray!  The wedding was incredible.  I love these two individually, and I love them as one.  Many others feel the same way because their wedding was a huge showing of support, friendship, and love.  It was a testament to the spirit of generosity.  Does that sound over the top?  It's true!  There was a tangible feeling in the air that infected everyone; it made me feel very real and alive.  And it kind of felt like time was moving in another dimension, because by the time the weekend was over I felt like I had been there for a month, and it was a little surreal to get on a plane and head straight back to school.  I wanted to know more about everyone I met there, hear their stories and just spend time being with them.  I'm going to share more details about the weekend, but I want to wait until I have a chance to look through more pictures.  Gosh, Trish is so beautiful I can hardly stand it.  I believe so strongly in this relationship - Congratulations to my cousin and cousin-in-law!

One Week!

One week, one week!  One week until Trish and J tie the knot!  I love these two so much and can't wait to go to Massachusetts next weekend to celebrate with them!  I get to see my mom and sister, too, which I'm so happy about.  After the wedding the couple is flying to Thailand for their honeymoon, then shortly after that going to live in Egypt for a few months for some work that Justin is doing.  What an adventure!  "We'll be busier with life-living than bees with their honey-making," Trish told me once right before I moved to Worcester.  Well we were, and we are, and now they will be :)  Hurrah for them!

My Cousin

Here's my roommate, best friend and honorary sister from the past year!  Tricia is one of those really cool people; the type who always seems to be right where she wants to be, doing the best thing possible.  Or who walks into your closet to borrow some of your clothes, and then exits the room in an outfit you've worn, but somehow it's tweaked and suddenly looks like the most stylish thing ever.  We grew up far apart and only saw each other about once a year, but always felt very attached.  When the opportunity came to live together this past year, I jumped on it.  This was definitely a good decision, as I constantly felt surrounded by fun, love, and support.  She drove halfway across the country with me as I moved to Wisconsin, and she just left to go back to Massachusetts.  Now I'm feelin' a little low, but am trying to stay cheerful by daydreaming about future adventures together.  I love you, Trish!

We're Off!

The apartment is clean and scrubbed, letters dropped in the post to spread feelings of gratitude, last minute yoga class attended, and we are officially ready to get in the car and drive to the Philadelphia area to spend the holiday weekend with our  family!  I'm going to see my older sister for the first time in over a YEAR - eeeeekk!  Happy Thanksgiving!