Leap Year

When I saw the above photo on IMDb I immediately had to search for the trailer to Leap Year. It's amazing to me how one photo can conjure such intense emotion. It gave me goosebumps. I, of course, am a sucker for romantic comedies and throw one in a foreign country and I'm a goner. I adore Europe so nearly all my favourite movies are set there. Leap Year stars Amy Adams (a truly gorgeous redhead and two time Oscar nominee) and Matthew Goode (British and yum) as the romantic leads and though the plot seems a little "out there" (the woman is going to propose to her boyfriend in Dublin on Leap Day), the chemistry between the two certainly seems worth the watch. I know it's a light recommendation, but watch the trailer for a few goosebumps of your own! If you're a romantic like me, you'll get them. 

Watch the Leap Year trailer here. 

The Best Things on Earth

My good friend Kayli sent me this last night~ a long list of the absolute best things on Earth. I think these loves are wildly universal and that everyone can relate to nearly everything on this beautiful list. It's a wonderful way to start the weekend! 

This is half now.... the other half I'll post Monday! 

The Best Things on Earth

Falling in love

Laughing so hard your face hurts

A hot shower

A special glance

Getting mail

Taking a drive on a pretty road

Hearing your favourite song on the radio

Lying in bed listening to the rain outside

Hot towels fresh out of the dryer

A bubble bath

A good conversation

The beach

Finding a $20 bill in your coat from last winter

Laughing at yourself

Having someone tell you that you're beautiful

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and thank you, my lovely Kayli! 

The Grand Gesture

Every girl dreams of the "grand gesture". You know, the grand gesture~ that moment at the end of the movie when the man decides he can't live without "her" after all and states his feelings and intentions in over the top, romantic style. Does this happen in real life? 

I wonder all the time. 

Hundreds of films and novels over my thirty years have made me susceptible to the concept of the grand gesture. Fairy tale love, soulmate love~ whatever you call it, I'm a sucker for it. Meant to be. What does that even mean? I believe in it, absolutely, but never quite known it. And I have never experienced the grand gesture. Sometimes I think my idealism has been formed by all those movies I have wept through. After a recent "disagreement" with someone I cared for this ran through my mind~ What if I go home to find him waiting on my door step? If that were ever to happen would there be flowers? Some kind of declaration? This didn't happen, naturally. 

The door step was empty, the phone silent. 

Do men (in real life) believe in the grand gesture? Or does taking that leap mean being too vulnerable, thus too scary to actually act? Risking all is terrifying but the grand gesture is always used and loved in the movies because of that very element of the unknown. The bigger the risk the greater the reward. People love that. Especially women. 

We love the idea of the grand gesture. 

Why do we dream of this? For me~ it is because if someone ever did that for me then that would be utter proof, not only of the person's feelings for me but also a testament to the kind of man they are themselves. I dream of someone that is brave enough and strong enough to take that leap. Every girl wants a man who will take a risk for them. My advice to all boys out there~ scary be damned, risk all for that girl you love. Do it. Sometimes real life can be like the movies. Fairy tale love does exist. Everyone wants a grand gesture, sometime in their life. 

Embrace the romance and leap. 

My all time favourite grand gestures on film:

-Will driving cross country to "see about a girl" in Good Will Hunting

-Harry flying to Paris to tell Erica he loves her in 

Something's Gotta Give

-Mark's Christmastime cue card love tribute to Juliet in Love Actually

-Mr. Darcy's declaration of love to his supposed nemesis 

Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice

-Linus quitting his company and moving to Paris for his love in Sabrina

There must be more..... What are your favourite grand gestures? 

Have you ever experienced this in real life? 

Trust

Despite being the big 3-0 I am about as naive as they come about many things in this life. I've never grown a thick outer shell over the years to protect me. I trust implicitly and let people into my life and into my heart without fear or hesitation or doubt. This has caused me to get hurt (and feel wildly stupid), many many times. Platonic girlfriends and bad boyfriends alike have been welcomed into my heart only for me to pay the price weeks, months, years later when things go wrong. 

I never wanted to be the kind of person who put up walls, who judged others or who didn't take a chance on someone. However, sometimes I don't listen to my instincts either. Should that change? Do I have to become the sort of person who lets no one in? Do I have to maintain my close circle and never take a chance on anyone else? Sometimes I think this would be okay (I have amazing people in my life) if it meant I avoided pain and disappointment. This reminds me of my favourite quote, "Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt." Oh, Kurt Vonnegut, you got it right. That is the life I want to lead. 

Today is a new day. While I woke up with a heavy heart I know that it is for the best that it is so. I tried. I opened myself to something I believed in and I'm proud of myself for that. Should I have nipped it in the bud at the start? Rejected this event in my life? Maybe. But I didn't. I refused to put up those walls and despite the aforementioned heavy heart, I'm glad I was open to what life had to offer me. I'm trusting, I'm loving and it gets me into trouble. But I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I'm open to love and open to life. 

This is the greatest adventure of all. 

Hurricane

I saw this passage and it intensely captured me. I've been reading it over and over for at least a month, moved by the words. I love the comparison between people and rain (I understand feeling like drizzle). I think it's an incredibly beautiful and romantic way to describe someone, as a force of nature. He obviously loves her, to want to sleep next to her rather than with her. What must that feel like, to be loved like that? Deep thoughts for me at 2am. Time for bed. 

A Few More Wedding Candids

Hubert, the wedding mascot! Look at that face! 

Passing the pre-wedding time!

Mmmm... fudgesicles!

 
Puppy love! 

All dressed up and ready to go! 

Erika having just put on her veil~ *sniff*

Posing in the garden

Walking down the aisle at Minoru Chapel

The gorgeous Heritage Hall

The Geary's first dance as husband and wife!

Friends for 8+ years, we all went to Europe together! Still friends! Jim, Erika, me & Jess

Kristin's fabulous leap for the bouquet! Naturally a 14 year old caught it!

New Zealander Jeff's crazy aboriginal chant! Amazing! 

Hello Mrs. Geary! Candid Wedding Shots

Getting beautified at Blo!

The bride and myself~ let's get you married! 

Her stunning hairstyle!

Rach, Erika's twin and Maid of Honour, et moi

More beauty time!

All ready to go to the church, with Sarah, her flower girl! 

The giddy and gorgeous bride! 

Riding in style! 

The twins

Reception time at Heritage Hall! 

Erika had trouble cutting the beautiful cake, so her hubby took over! 

Dear Erika & David,

My wish for you is to always love each other as much as you did on the beautiful August day you married. Remember that giddiness, those tears of joy, that wonder. Hold all the memories close to your heart, don't take them for granted and savour the absolute beauty of your marriage. I know you will. Thank you for letting me share in the most lovely day. 

xo Ally

"Sometimes it's not about looks or personality; sometimes two souls are just meant to be."

Wedding Day

One more sleep. Tomorrow one of my best friends in the world is going to put on the most beautiful gown I have ever seen, pin a veil into her hair and walk down the aisle to marry one of the loveliest men I have ever met. Tomorrow is Erika and David's wedding and I absolutely know it is going to be the most beautiful of days. 

This couple seemed meant to be from the moment they started dating. There never seemed to be any hesitation or doubt about how they felt for each other; they fell in love as naturally as the shift of the tide. Erika and David's relationship has been a wonderful thing to witness and be a part of. They adore each other so much I know it is destined to work. But beyond their crazy love they care so deeply for each other as people, are thoughtful to each other and communicate so well. Their love is equal parts passion and friendship~ the very best kind, in my opinion. 

I know Erika is wonderfully lucky to have found David but David is profoundly fortunate to be marrying Erika. I met the beautiful bride eight years ago, as we wandered across Europe to study art history for two months. We stared at hundreds of paintings, explored endless cathedrals, slept in the coach for days on end, ate many cheap student-y meals and shopped like no one's business. In Switzerland I remember we stayed up until the morning light, talking endlessly about boys and love with Jess and Alexandra. It seems like a lifetime ago, but I still think about those nights. In the last few years we have grown incredibly close and we have always been there for each other, especially through both our choices of bad boyfriends. That streak came to an end when Erika met David. To see how much he loves her affirms to me that everything leading up to this point was worth it, because they have arrived here. 

Wedding day. I can't wait to stand up next to Erika as a bridesmaid as she marries the love of her life tomorrow. To my wonderful friend and her soon to be husband, the biggest congratulations in the world! I love you both. 

(Photos via A Cup of Jo) 

Exactly

(Image via Le Love)