the space between us now
will all work out for good somehow.
life takes patience,
and patience takes time, but i can't get you off of my mind dave barnes - adeline 
February 21, 2009 8:57 pm SamBran: btw, my friend emily has become obsessed with your and lydia's blogs she's mad at my for showing them to her. prime procrastination tool. Me: haha aww that's cute. blogging is fun. 
will all work out for good somehow.
life takes patience,
We "all" (mostly Lydia and me) promised our good friend Sam that he was going to find a wife at Hillsdale College. We just knew it. Now, we were also convinced this wife would be a dumb blonde goof-ball that would drive him crazy.
I love Emily for Sam. Sam is trivia-brilliant. He knows a lot about a lot. He's a reader, a thinker, a learner and a worker. For a young guy this is good, but can also produce big heads. Though I felt terrible for him (it really was the dumbest punishment ever) it did my heart a little good to see Sam sit through one detention our senior year of highschool. Just to keep him humble. Sam was my first friend as a baby (our mothers met when they were pregnant with us, and are still best friends to this day.) His family were like local cousins, or siblings that lived in a different home.
Emily has softened him. He's a gentler, kinder man thanks to her. She's an incredibly capable, deep, good woman. And not a dumb blonde ;)
I felt like I was watching my brother get married on Friday. If I had let myself I would have cried right on through that whole ceremony. I've never seen Sam happier. People say "Oh, they were so happy! They smiled all day long." No, I don't think you understand. Sam smiled ALL. DAY. LONG. He was smirking during prayers, grinning while singing worship songs. Jovial, happy and sweet - I would never have called Sam "sweet." He's sweet now.
Emily's determination, patience, friendship and companionship is lovely. I love them together. I loved their wedding. I love how elegant Emily was and how gracefully she carried herself. I loved being there.
It was a happy day.
And I'm happy for you, kids.
---
ps. For a little walk down memory lane, here is some old school I'm Kristen and my fat "big brother." 
Aaaand this is the day Lyds and I met Emily! She was in town but Sam had to work so we took her around muddy hills in a random neighborhood... and a pet store. We've gotten better at hosting since then.
