Our Wedding Invitations

Yesterday the North Carolina Senate also voted to pass the anti-LGBT marriage amendment. That means it will now go on the ballot in May 2012 as part of the primaries. Eight months to fight like hell to prevent this amendment, y'all.

However, our wedding plans are well on their way. The fabulous Ellie posted photos of our invitations on her beautiful blog, with which we're absolutely smitten.  We love the rustic touches that are done in a way that's still totally elegant.

I've always had a thing for pretty paper goods, so I knew that I wanted our invitations to be really well-designed and special, and Ellie has definitely gone above and beyond our expectations. It also makes us really happy to be working with someone based right here in the Triangle. We're currently working with her on the day-of stationery and we can't wait to see what else she has up her (very creative) sleeves!

{Also, a special thanks to Ellie for letting me share these photos here!}

Photos: You Go, I Go, We Go
Design: Hello Tenfold

On Overcoming

Yesterday, the GOP-led North Carolina House of Representatives quickly pushed through a vote on the proposed constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage. Conveniently, they did this the day before today's gigantic rally (which is totes still happening, btw).

As someone who works for an advocacy organization, it never ceases to amaze me how strongly I still react when my rights and the rights of others are being attacked and debated by legislators (and/or voted on by the general public). Yes, some could say that I should develop a thicker skin. That's fine. However, I'm also human. It's not as though I spend every day the General Assembly is in session curled up in a ball crying in the corner. I often get angry at the hatred, ignorance, bigotry, and privilege that exists in our world. A lot of the time, especially after debates, I feel the need to take showers to wash off all of the horrible things that were said.

Obviously, this debate hit closer to home than some others, especially since our wedding (here in NC) is just five weeks away. I love Kate so incredibly much, and the idea that people find this objectionable enough to actively work to make our lives more challenging makes me absolutely sick.

Aside from that, there are a few other things that made me particularly depressed about yesterday's events (and that kept me up way too late writing this post):

• If I was this down about these actions, imagine how young LGBT kids who have just come out or are still in the closet must feel.
• It's pretty sad that we have to fight to keep something we already don't have from becoming even less accessible. Since same-sex marriage is already illegal in North Carolina, it's not as if we're working to gain access to marriage, just to keep this discrimination from becoming even more codified in our state.
• That, if the amendment passes the Senate (which could be as early as today), the fight is just beginning. This proposed amendment would then go on the ballot for a vote by the general public in May 2012. 

Yet amid all this insanity, there is still reason to be hopeful. Equality NC has increased their Facebook fans by over 17,000 (and counting) since last Friday (!) with the help of Facebook co-founder and NC native Chris Hughes. People from all over the world are sending their love and support.

This speech from Rep. Marcus Brandon (as well as many others from other legislative opponents of the amendment), who is currently the only openly-LGBT member of the General Assembly, is also really fantastic.

And here's the main thing I have to keep reminding myself: these anti-gay legislators are running scared. They're part of a dying breed, a rapidly decreasing number of people who support state-sanctioned discrimination. They are using this amendment as a desperate attempt to drum up support from a base that cares less and less about this issue. People in our state have real problems, like unemployment and budget cuts, and they want to see their legislators focus on this instead of spending upwards of $150,000 to reconvene a special hate session.

Regardless of what happens with this amendment, they will go down as being on the wrong side of history. Even though the road to full equality for all LGBT people (which includes marriage equality) may be long and rocky, I firmly believe that we'll make it there. I believe in my heart of hearts that Kate's and my future children will be genuinely shocked to learn that we weren't always treated the same as everyone else because of our sexual orientation.

And in the meantime? We have to keep our chins up and keep on fighting like our rights depend on it. Because they do.

Music Monday: Earth, Wind, & Fire

Happy Monday! I hope y'all survived Irene and are in one piece. It was really windy here, but things were relatively calm otherwise and we used the opportunity to get lots done around the house before heading out on a tubing adventure with friends yesterday.

My family is also holding up well in CT, though Mama W and some other relatives are still without power. Fingers crossed that it's back on soon. I'm also sending lots of good thoughts to Vermont, which got slammed by Irene and is dealing with some serious flooding.

On a happier note, since September will be arriving this Thursday (seriously, when did that happen?!), I haven't been able to get this song out of my head and decided to share. Enjoy!

Bonne Weekend!

Source: midgetthouse.com via Hillary on Pinterest

Happy Friday, y'all. I'm so excited that the weekend is here, even though Irene is looking like she could make things quite a bit crazier than usual for most of the East Coast. I'm keeping everyone in her path in my thoughts, but especially eastern North Carolina, as well as my home state of Connecticut (and the rest of the tri-state area).

We're hoping to head farther west in NC to partake in some fun outdoor activities, but we'll see what these storms have in store for us. Either way, I'm planning to start tomorrow off with some early-morning yoga followed by my usual trip to the farmers' market. That coupled with lots of quality time with Kate and I'll be good to go regardless of whatever else the weekend holds!

Let's all meet back here in one piece on Monday, k?

Things that make me smile

Things have been a bit crazier this week than I'd prefer, so I've pulled together a few things that help put me right back on into a happier mindset, even if it's only for a few minutes!

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Hillary on Pinterest

pretty pink peonies

Source: annies-eats.net via Hillary on Pinterest

black bean burritos {or to be perfectly honest, almost any other mexican food}

Source: todayifoundout.com via Hillary on Pinterest

autumn in new england {where we'll be honeymooning!}

Source: begbicycles.com via Hillary on Pinterest

pretty pink bicycles

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Hillary on Pinterest

iced coffee {i'm officially addicted}

and last, though certainly not least, miss kate! she's pretty fantastic :)

What about y'all? What's helping keep your spirits up this week?

Sha-Ka-No-HEY!

Dollywood was fantastic and much more fun than I would have imagined. I had a seriously fantastic time and it was so nice to get out of town and spend time with fun friends. Kate was gone for the weekend, so it was the perfect excuse to spend quality time with friends.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend, gussied up with Instagram:

ready to go!

four of five friends, pre-dollywood

stroller parade at the dollywood express, the coal-powered train that takes you on a scenic tour of the park

a show involving the history of the smoky mountains (?); this was sadly nixed from our itinerary in favor of more water rides at the last minute

at the christmas shop near our hotel. awesome.

 clearly a bit excited about an early-morning piggy back ride

the best pankcakes i've ever had. seriously. sweet potato with cinnamon cream syrup. however, it's not recommended to order non-pancake items. #nowyouknow

Not pictured? The breakfast buffet at Aunty Granny's restaurant (which it turns out isn't named such because this woman was both someone's aunt and grandmother). The awesome tours of the Chasing Rainbows museum and Dolly's old tour bus (seriously- I'm such a history nerd). The very sooty train ride through the park. The indoor roller coaster that included touring a town on fire and several mine shafts. The above-ground roller coaster with multiple loops (a major feat for me, former hater of roller coasters!). The most terrifying ferris wheel ride of our lives (pretty sure they aren't supposed to move side to side...). The extra full lap of the park one friend and I took in search of vegetarian food options that weren't fried (hey, hey cheese pizza!). All of the walking we did in general. The multiple water rides, including a death-defying log flume ride where our group made it under the weight limit by one. pound. At least it was after we ate (and ate. and ate.). Post-Dollywood dinner at the Apple Barn, where apple fritters with apple butter and cobbler or pie are included with your meal (I got the veggie plate, wherein two of my "veggies" were mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. The others were fried okra and coleslaw. #totallyfine). Sleeping for 11+ hours Saturday night because of all the food consumed. Five friends packed into one hotel room for two nights (I brought a nice little air mattress). Car ride meal stops in the scenic Hickory, NC. And, perhaps most importantly, the addition of the term "might could" to my vocabulary (i.e.: "Yes, I might could have another helping of kettle corn."). Oh, and in case I hadn't mentioned it already, getting to spend time with awesome friends. And that's Dollywood in a nutshell.

I hope you all had an equally exciting weekend! 

On Tornadoes

So this past weekend, as seen above, the weather got more than a little crazy down here in North Carolina.

Thankfully where we live (near Chapel Hill) was spared of anything more than some strong winds and loud thunderstorms, but severe damage happened in plenty of other areas, including Raleigh, our capital city. It was strange to be sitting at home, constantly checking my phone to see if we needed to take cover and then waiting to hear reports from folks in other areas.

All told, there were about 62 tornadoes that touched down across the state, and over 20 lives that were lost.  Shaw University, a historically black college/university (HBCU) in the downtown area, sustained so much damage that it has closed for the remainder of the semester. Raleigh City Cemetery, a historic landmark that contained lots of very old oak trees, didn't fare well either, as shown in this video. More pictures of the storm and damage across the state can be seen here.

Having lived and worked in this area (including right near where the video was taken), it's a bit surreal to see photos of the devastation posted online from places with which I'm familiar. It seems as if these things are supposed to only happen 'somewhere else,' not to one's own community. Intellectually I know that this isn't the case, and that tragedies can happen anywhere, to anyone, and at any time, but deep down it seems there's a little part of me that feels otherwise.

Clearly I'm still paying attention to reports on this and will be sending thoughts and prayers to those impacted. I'm also searching for ways to help, at least in some small way. This Twitter feed has posted some great opportunities, so if you're local definitely check it out.

That's all for now, except to say that I'm feeling extremely fortunate that Kate and I, as well as all the friends we've heard from, are safe and sound. It easily could have been otherwise.