Emily and Joe Tie the Knot

A few weeks ago,  I had the honor to attend the wedding of my niece, Emily and her fiance, Joe in Palmer, Alaska.  It would be difficult to put into words how wonderful and beautiful it was, so I am going to show you.

My sister, Lori, was the wedding coordinator extraordinaire, as well as the mother of the bride.  She had help pulling it off, though.  Her talented daughter, Hali, not only worked with her on decorations, but she also used her talents to get the girls ready with hair and make-up.  Lori's friend Terri was the caterer and worked many hours preparing food for over 100 people (delicious food!).  You will see Terri in the photos - she's the one dancing while still wearing her apron!  I flew into town two days before the wedding and basically took lots of pictures to document Emily and Joe's special day.

  

Gorgeous weather, sweet children, beautiful girls, charming guys, curious cows, weathered barn, loving guests

and 

a stunning bride and groom... 

Beauty and the Beast (aka Annie and Jerome)

This is a story of a beautiful girl who meets a gruff beast,

sees beyond his less than handsome exterior

to his sweet inner side

and

falls in love.

Annie is the beauty.

This is the beast.  Jerome.  

It all began in May when I went to Rochester to move Annie 

into her first apartment.  An important part of making

her apartment feel homey was, of course, getting a cat.

We went to Lollypop Farm,  the local humane society, 

to hopefully meet the cat of her dreams.

And we did.

Jerome was a stray who was brought to Lollypop Farm in April.

He is thought to be around 8 years old.  

He is overweight (@20 lbs) with deformed ears,

a funny looking nose, bad dandruff, and a very grumpy face.

Around his neck was a red bandana.

Lollypop Farm staff had named him "Jerome".

The minute Annie sat on the couch next to him in the cat room,

he climbed onto her lap and began purring.

Sold.

 He was too heavy for the cardboard crates most cats get sent home in,  so Lollypop Farm graciously loaned Annie a solid cat carrier

for her trip home.

After a long car ride as we gathered the essentials

for cat care,  we brought Jerome home.  He was

a little unsure at first,  hiding in the corner of the bathroom.

But after a few minutes,  he began to walk (waddle) around.

He ate (not a surprise).

Mostly, he just followed Annie around.

And she responded by giving him lots of love.

We tried to get him to play, but he wasn't interested.

I guess there was too much to take in.

The vet thinks maybe he had experienced frostbite on his nose and ears in his days outside as a stray in the winter.  He also snores, possibly due to damaged nasal passages from frostbite, or maybe due to his obesity.

He must have been really matted because his tail was shaved and his fur was chopped short all over his body.

He was unable to get up on the couch,  but loved it when Annie

gave him a lift up.

He also likes the throw rug in the kitchen,

and the bathmat in the bathroom.

Annie couldn't be happier with her choice!

If she hadn't fallen completely in love already,

he finished the job when he lay next to her on her makeshift bed

and put his paw on her arm, then rested his head on her arm as he relaxed even more.

I woke up the next morning to this...

Pretty darn amazing!

Since I left,  the two have continued to bond.  

Annie sends me pictures almost every day.

Under Annie's care,  Jerome has lost at least 3 lbs.,

he is able to jump onto the couch by himself,

and he has begun to play.

With time,  his fur will grow in and his weight will

continue to go down.  I can't wait to see the transformation!

I don't think Annie could have found a better companion.

I feel good knowing she's not alone.

Thanks, Jerome!