Livestrong Day

Today is 4 years since someone very special to me was diagnosed with cancer. It happened soon after he moved across the country and was an expensive flight away from his family. He had just made new friends in a new city and the news of his illness was very difficult to cope with. It was not debilitating though, so he opted to aggressively treat his Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

It was a scary and dark time for him, but he was resilient and endured the round of Chemo sessions over the course of 3 months, then later the 15 radiation sessions over the course of three weeks. I didn't know him at the time of his diagnosis nor during his treatment, but I wish I could have been there to support him through such a difficult time in his life.

Since learning this about him and understanding what type of person can stand tall and stare down the face of cancer, I realize that he has the strength to get through anything that life throws his way. No stranger to adversity, he takes life one day at a time and loves passionately as he understands how precious this life we have really is.

His outlook on life is inspiring. I recently asked him if cancer has changed his outlook on life, and rather than answering the question he replied with "my outlook on life changed when I met you, Jessi". *aww, heart melts*

I am beyond lucky that he conquered his illness so that I was able to meet him, fall in love with him and spend my time with this wonderful human being.

Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving day was beautiful as always with my mom thinking of every last detail to make the most delicious food and a relaxed yet classic environment. This year was Dan's first Thanksgiving with us and he was quite impressed by how much good food was on the table and how easy my parents made all of the preparation seem.

I started Thursday morning off with Dan on a "fun" run, then we enjoyed latte's spiked with Bailey's, Kahlua and/or Rum while the turkey was finishing up in the oven and the first football game was wrapping up.

Grandma arrived around noon with a bag full of cookies for my brother since he misses the Christmas batch while he's in Europe. She also made her famous pumpkin bread for the dinner table and it was tasty as always.

Conversation was kept light and mouths were kept full at the table, with occasional conversation about our jobs, where Dan grew up and how perfect the turkey was.

Our cousins Rachel and Bethany stopped in right as we had finished eating and we had fun chatting with them over drinks (and sparkling cider) before they were off to their Thanksgiving meal. It was a great day with the family and there wasn't much of a dent made in the food even after Dan, Matt and my dad had seconds and thirds.

If you aren't sick already from your own turkey day leftovers, here's the photo roll of the food and the details. (homemade apple and pumpkin pies not included).

I have so much to be thankful for in my life!

<3 JE