When You Think of Me, I am in Paradise

It's been just over six weeks since K and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary, and as we come up on the end of July, we are at the one year mark for our honeymoon trip to Grand Cayman Island. It is bittersweet to look back at our escape to paradise, especially since a year ago the life of an electrical engineer and dental student didn't leave much time for vacation. As the current chapter of our life together comes to an end (I am now officially Dr. Vera DDS, the official “honeymoon” period of marriage is over, K is now a full-time Texas Instruments employee, and this past weekend we moved out of the apartment that has been our home for the last three years), it is a perfect time to reminisce about our one week jaunt to the Caribbean.

Day 1: Wednesday July 23^rd
We arrived at DFW airport mid-morning, and the entire process of checking in and traveling to Grand Cayman Island was by far the least stressful travel experience I have ever had. We checked our luggage at the smallest ticket counter either of us had ever seen: only 2 computers, 2 Grand Cayman Airline workers, and 0 people in line. We went through security and took a shuttle bus across the tarmac and boarded the plane without delay. The flight was smooth. The flight attendants friendly, and four hours later we landed on the only runway at Owen Roberts International Airport, which required us to do a U-turn in order to taxi to a gate and disembark. Like I said, it was the least stressful travel experience I have ever had.

Our hotel, The Grand Cayman Beach Suites, was located on the famous Seven Mile Beach. Our suite included a separate bedroom, kitchenette, giant Jacuzzi tub, and a living room with a patio overlooking the hotel pool, bar, and beach shoreline. Not wanting to waste a second of the experiences the island had to offer, K and I quickly unpacked and then found ourselves walking along the beach to eat dinner at the Beach House at the Westin Hotel. The Caribbean Ocean was aquamarine and the sound and smell of the salty water blew in with the breeze. We ate dinner on a beautiful porch lit with tiki torches and watched the sunset over the ocean. After an absolutely delicious dinner and desert, we walked back along the Seven Mile Beach in the dark, the stars twinkling in the sky and the water lapping at our toes.

Day 2: Thursday July 24^th
The first morning of our honeymoon was a lazy one. When we finally mustered the energy to get out of bed, we headed to George Town for brunch at Bread & Chocolate (a recommendation from my third year dental school faculty leader). The food was fantastic, and with full bellies, we walked to Eden Rock Drive Shop and rented snorkel gear, eager to try out our newest purchase-- a waterproof digital camera that was chosen specifically for this trip; it worked PERFECTLY.

With blistered toes from the flippers and tired muscles from a long session of snorkeling, we explored George Town on foot. We walked past the steam powered clock erected in honor of King James. We went into almost every gift shop in an attempt to get out of the sun and humidity; AC was a blessing every time we stepped through a door. We got mistaken for cruise ship passengers and were given free popsicles-- not that we were complaining because by then we were incredibly hot and sweaty. Eventually we found a bench to sit on in the shade outside of Margarrittaville, and listened to the sounds of Jimmy Buffett float through the Caribbean air. After mojitos and dinner at Breezes by the Bay, we returned at the hotel and turned in early, after a much needed shower, of course.

Day 3: Friday July 25^th
Friday morning we both awoke feeling much better than the night before. It turned out that a day in the sun had left me sunburned and K dehydrated. Thankfully, by morning the redness had faded from my skin and K was back to feeling like himself; this was all key to what was by far the most exciting day of the honeymoon for me-- today was dolphin day! Part of the reason we ended up picking Grand Cayman as our honeymoon destination was due to the fact it is one of the places you can swim with dolphins. It was kind of a big deal! Unfortunately, the day did not get off to a great start; as we attempted to check in for our reservation, we discovered that our taxi driver had dropped us off at the WRONG dolphin place. All in all, it ended up totally fine. We took a bus to the proper location where the staff put as at ease with their laid back demeanor, despite our late arrival.
K likes to say that dolphins are my spirit animal. Several years ago I was not able to contain myself while feeding the dolphins at Sea World and gave all my fish away very quickly; I did not want a repeat of that, and I was actually nervous before all of my own interactions with our groups' dolphin, Galileo. I was also very excited, I mean, we got to pet the dolphin's back and belly. We got to kiss the dolphin. We got to ride belly-to-belly with him, and watch him do jumps and touch our hands with his nose. He danced with us. He pushed us while we rode a boogey board. It was all really freaking awesome. When we finished, we headed across the street to the Cayman Turtle Farm where we got to wade in with the small, younger turtles. It was quite the interactive day. We headed back to the hotel for a late lunch at the hotel's beach bar, followed by a quick dip in the ocean and hotel pool. We had dinner at Cimboco (another lovely recommendation from Dr. McWatters), and we ended our night with drinks at the hotel bar.

Day 4: Saturday July 26^th
This was the first time we had to wake up early during our honeymoon; we even had to set an alarm! We were picked up early at our hotel and taken to the local docks. We were then taken out to the Stingray City sandbar known for it's waist high water where the stingrays wait for tourists to feed them by hand.

Historically, this behavior was developed by fishermen of the past who would clean their fish in the calm, shallow water and discard chum over board. Eventually, the stingrays would associate the sounds of a boat with a free meal and the practice would become a tradition for tourists, like us. Once in the water, the giant creatures glided around us, bumping into you and and waving their fins in what seemed like an attempt to climb up your back, side, or chest. Apparently this is how they make friends. K and I kissed a stingray together; supposedly it would bring us seven years good luck. Back on the boat, we had two more stops for snorkeling, but since my eyes were tired from back-to-back days of wearing contacts, I opted to skip out on the snorkeling and chose to simply swim and float around in the warm waters while K took the water proof camera out for a spin.

After our early morning excursion, we returned to the hotel for lunch at Britannia, the golf course restaurant at the hotel. We sat on the patio and watched storm clouds brewing in the distance, bringing previously unseen cloud coverage and a noticeable decline in temperatures. After the brief summer shower passed, we took another dip in the ocean before dinner.

Day 5: Sunday July 27^th
Before picking up our rental car, we grabbed a quick breakfast at Coconut Joe's, enjoying the view of iguanas climbing in the trees above us. Now, as part of the British common wealth, the Cayman Islands are a left-side of the road country full of round-a-bouts. I'd had second thoughts about our original plan to rent a car earlier in the week, but K was confident he could handle it. The first stop on our island road trip was to the Mastic Trail in Bodden Town where we had a short hike through the native mangrove swamp and woodlands in the center of the island. Hot and sweaty, our journey continued with a stop at the Southern part of the island to see the Blow Holes before heading East. At the eastern most part of Grand Cayman, we climbed to the East End Lighthouse and peered out at the Wreck of the Ten Sales in the distance. We returned to Bodden town and grabbed a much needed bite to eat at The Lighthouse before stopping at Pedro St. James Castle. Hot, sweaty, and tired, we returned to the hotel for a night in.

Day 6: Monday July 28^th
Finally, a lazy day. We lounged about our room recovering from days in the sun. We had drinks on our patio, watching the sun dance across the sky and children splashing in the pool. We had a couple's massage, K's first massage, and he did not like it. I have become a fan of massages over the last few years and this one was one of the most enjoyable-- the sounds and smells of the ocean as relaxing as the massage itself. That night, we had dinner at Hemmingway's where the sound of island jazz played in the background and the sun set on the distant horizon.


Day 7: Tuesday July 29^th

Our last day in paradise, we wanted to soak up every ray of light, feel every grain of sand, and splash in every wave we could. We had breakfast at Eat's Cafe and spent the day alternating between the coral sands of the Seven Mile Beach and the chlorine of the hotel pool; snacking, sipping, laughing.

As the day passed to evening, we prepared ourselves for our reservation at Rum Point. With the ocean breeze pushing our sail, we took a Catamaran to the Northern shore at Rum Point for our last supper. We feasted and drank. We walked along the lamp lit dock back to the Catamaran before heading back to the Western half of the island under the stars. Our last night in paradise, tomorrow, we would return to Dallas and begin the rest of our life together.

Winter Wonderland

As the snow turns to rain and the trees start to bloom, no one can deny the fact that Spring will officially start tomorrow, and not a moment too soon. Winter felt like it lasted for almost an eternity this year. We had a lot of cold days. We had a lot of gray days. We had a lot of snow days. Winter is not my season, and some of us would rather just hibernate through it.

It wasn't all bad though. On a surprisingly warm December night, K and I found ourselves at Holiday Gala, aka Dental Prom, for the last time. There was dancing. There was laughter. There was fun. Not too long after that, we found ourselves at a tacky sweater party; eating, drinking, exchanging gifts, and being merry. Holiday parties are amazing, and going out for a night on the town doesn't happen that often for us. Not because marriage has made us a boring, old couple (honestly, we've always been one of those), but simply because we enjoy each other's company no matter where we are-- even if that's at home. Of course, getting dressed up and enjoying a night among friends doesn't hurt!

Since we decided to spend the holidays with my parents this year (we did spend the last two in California, after all), K's parents came to visit for an early Texas Christmas at the end of the semester. It was nice that it also coincided with K's graduation following the defense of his Master's Thesis. It seems there's always something worth celebrating. This was the third trip to Dallas for our in-laws since K and I moved in together 3 year ago, but it was the first time my new sister got to make the journey to the Lone Star State. In classic Texas winter fashion, the weather was dreary and wet, but that didn't stop the LaRosa clan from enjoying a getaway to Austin, walks through Deep Ellum, a trolley ride through Uptown, and a stop at the Bush Library. It was a short trip, but it was sweet nonetheless.


New Year's Eve was wet. And cold. And while an early bed time and a pair of sweat pants sounded oh-so-sweet, K and I got our butts up and out of the apartment to ring in the new year with others. As the clock struck midnight, we watched the fireworks at Victory Park from the rooftop. Sparklers in hand, we kissed in the rain, ready to tackle another year.

Before we new it, K was starting full time at Texas Instruments and I was back at school. Being a real adult has meant that K often leaves before me in the mornings. He also works late, but he is so much happier working than he ever was doing research. I'm sure the pay check doesn't hurt making those long days more bearable. For me though, this last semester of dental school has been a bit of a nightmare. It is a sprint to the finish line, and it is absolutely exhausting. I did manage to study for, and pass, part two of the National Board exam in January. I also managed to find patients, and pass, mock WREB in February. But, with only 7 weeks and 1 day left in the last semester of dental school, I find myself losing sleep over all the little things that still need to be done. Sometimes, I don't feel like there's simply enough time to do everything. I know I'm not the only one who feels that way, though; dental students aren't the only people working hard out there!

As March snuck in, the northern polar vortex made it's way down to Dallas not once, not twice... but FOUR times in a two week period, giving us some much deserved days off of school. At times it was like a blizzard out there! As lovely as the winter wonderland is from the window, there is nothing that Rosalind and I care for less. Even when we're looking cute in our winter scarves, all that ice and snow is cold. It's wet. And it's just plain dangerous!

My mom can personally attest to the dangers of ice and snow-- while sledding down a hill she managed to break her right thumb. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the treacherous winter weather to blame for her most recent injury; two weeks to the day, long after everything had melted, she fell and broke her left patella on the side walk. She's currently at home recovering from surgery, but knowing her, the next 4-6 weeks off from work (doctor's orders) are going to give her [Spring] Cabin Fever!

My American Dog

October is arguably my favorite month of the year. The leaves begin to orange and the weather starts to cool- bringing some much needed relief from the smoldering TX summers. Halloween celebrations begin with ghoulish and goose-bump-raising frights, and it is also (as I recently learned) Pitbull Awareness Month.

Just over a year and a half ago, K and I adopted a charming, 3 year old Chinese Shar-Pei, Pit-mix named Rosalind. Of course, the only thing people see in her is the ladder "breed" specification. When I found her, I had been volunteering at the SPCA for almost a full year, and there she was, curled up in her kennel looking very sad and small. She had recently been transferred in from another shelter, depressed and underweight. However, when I took her out to socialize, I could not understand why she didn't have a forever home yet. Less than a week later, she was in our home. Now, Ros is affectionately referred to as our Boo Bear; she's afraid of thunder and running water. She loves cuddling on the couch with mommy and playing tug-of-war with daddy. She is friendly around strangers and playful with other dogs, which is no surprise to me knowing that the American Pitbull Terrier is ranked as the fourth best breed in temperament tests, scoring "better than Collies, Golden Retrievers, and Beagles."¹ Yet still, it breaks my heart that some people see her and think she is a vicious monster that they need to go out of their way to avoid. Although the notion takes me aback, it isn't surprising. "Pitbulls are condemned by the general public and vilified in the media. When a Cocker Spaniel, [Chihuahua, or Labrador] bites, it does so as a member of its species; it is never anything but a dog. When a pitbull bites, it does so as a member of its breed. A pitbull is never anything but a pitbull."²

It's funny just how much raw emotion and power is behind the word pitbull when they're not actually a breed. Pitbull is, in fact, a loose term for many distinct bully breed dogs"³ which include "12 different breeds... from Boston Terriers to Neopolitan Mastiffs."¹ Since the characteristics of a pitbull are found across such a large spectrum, pits can be seen in an abundance of dogs, and those shared "traits are reshaping what we think of as the American dog, which is to say the American mutt. A few generations ago, the typical mutt was a rangy dog with a long snout and pricked ears- a shepherd mix. Now it looks like a pitbull,"² and Rosalind, for all intents and purposes, is a mutt. She has that broad, muscular chest and wide smile of the bully breeds, but she also has half floppy ears, and the coat of a labrador. At 42 lbs, she could be described a "pocket pit," which essentially means she has some smaller, unidentifiable breed(s) coded into her genome. It's not like Shar-pei's are little dogs!

Pitbull is such a powerful word, and it tends to elicit diametric emotions. "There are their fearful detractors, those who would have them demonized, having fallen prey to the dogs’ misrepresentation in the media. And then there are their champions, who are struggling to change the tide of public opinion. "³ This disparity is evident in the fact that I have had an instructor at school feel the need to educate me on the dangers and unpredictability of pitbulls, ending his lecture by simply stating: "I'm not saying you should put your dog down, but I wouldn't put my face next to it's face." On the other hand, the love for pits is easily seen by the countless Instagram accounts and TV shows dedicated to their lives and rescue stories (Rosalind is no exception; you can follow her @stardustbabey). Those who know pitties and pit-mixes will protest to their haters that "bully breeds are goofy, loyal, [loving] dogs, by and large fantastic with children. In the UK, they were known as 'nanny' dogs, and many Victorian illustrations of family life portray a sweet Pit Bull-type dog overseeing his chubby,"³ little human pack members.

Pit bulls are more than the myths spread about them. They are more than stocky bodies and heart shaped heads. They are more than their devotion and gentle nature. I LOVE my dog. I can't even remember what my life was like before she was a normal fixture in our daily routine. I can't help but smile when I imagine her growing old as our future children grow up, and I get a lump in my throat when I think about how her short life will end and one day she will leave my side. Rosalind is a great ambassador for the bully breeds; yes, she is a pit-mix, but she is also so much more than that, and she is so much more than just our dog. The fact of the matter is "30% of the total dogs admitted to U.S. animal shelters are labeled as pitpulls [and] 86.7% of pitbulls admitted to shelters end up being killed."¹ This means that "anywhere from 800,000 to nearly 1 million"¹ pits and pit-mixes are euthanized each year. When you take a second to think about it, Rosalind has beat overwhelming odds just to stay alive, and if you have any doubts as to why she's stolen our hearts all you have to do is meet her- my American dog.


1. visualizing.org/full-screen/51374
2. esquire.com/features/american-dog-0814
3. moderndogmagazine.com/articles/what-it-about-pit-bulls/17294

Mr. & Mrs. LaRosa

It's hard to believe that only a mere week has passed since our wedding. After all the planning, and the expenses, and the family and friends that journeyed out to California to cerebrate with us... it went by in the blink of an eye. Now, I've been told by both my parents and the in-laws that everyone enjoyed themselves. And, I've been told by numerous guests that the whole event was beautiful- by the way, I could not believe how many people told us they had no intentions of crying, only to find themselves holding back tears when we read our vows. It's reassuring to know that my vision for our wedding came together as I'd hoped, and I can barely wait the allotted 4-6 weeks to see the professional photos! For those who were unable to join us for our wedding, here is the ceremony script (including our heartfelt, self-written vows) and several photos taken by guests throughout the event; hopefully it'll feel as real to you as it did to those who were there!

THE QUESTION
Officiant: Who brings this bride to be married today?

F: Her mother and I do.

WELCOME
Officiant: Let us begin. Welcome family, friends, and loved ones. We gather here today to witness one of life's greatest moments. In their love for one another, K and S wish to unite in the bonds of marriage, and to dedicate themselves to each other’s happiness and well-being as husband and wife. On behalf of the Bride and Groom, I welcome you all.

FOUNDATION
Officiant: Marriage is a supreme sharing, and perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure in the closest of human relationships. It is a bold step and a promise taken together into an unknown future; it is risking who we are for the sake of who we can be.

That is because in marrying we promise to love not just as we feel right now, but also as we intend to feel in the future. In marriage we not only say, “I love you today,” but also “I promise to love you tomorrow.” Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives, but this sharing must not diminish the uniqueness of each partner. It should enhance it and allow each person to grow as an individual as well as together; for by growing together in love, it is possible to share both the joys of life and the burdens of sorrow.

In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the dedication and trust of the other in return. This wedding is more than a celebration of the love which lives in K and S's hearts today; even as the gift of love is shared by these two people, it knows no bounds. The devotion they have to one another also touches the friends and family members who support and contribute to their relationship in various ways. 

OFFICIANT’S ADDRESS
Officiant: And so, we are all present in this moment to witness a marriage that began with friendship, and from that beginning, has grown to love; it is a love so deep

that it has inspired these two people to unite and spend the remainder of their lives together. Although this is their day, the wedding of K and S is also a tribute to every one of you. All of you are present in this moment because, in one way or another, you have been a part of their lives, and by knowing and interacting with you, each person here has helped to make them who they needed to be to find one another.

You have all traveled from near and far, to share in the formal commitment they make today, to cherish the words which join them, and to allow K and S to start their married life surrounded by the people most important to them. As such, I encourage you all to celebrate their marriage; dance, eat, laugh, drink, and be glad as they begin this journey together. 

PARENTAL/FAMILY & FRIENDS HONORING
Officiant: Today represents not only the joining of K and S, but also the joining of their families, and so they want to take this time to acknowledge their parents on this occasion. R & K LaRosa and F Vera & S Ross, K and S offer their profound gratitude to you all for the care you have shown in raising them. As you continually watched, guided, and encouraged them through childhood, so too were you there when they found each other, and the unconditional love and support that you have given has inspired them to offer the same to one another. Without you, this day would not be possible, and it is fitting that today they are here before you, as they have always been, to ask you to witness their joining.

Today, as their lives, which began on separate paths, unite as one, they request that you will still be there to support them. To be present in joyous and difficult times, and to be there for your future grand-children, who will need your guidance as well. And truly, they thank you from the bottom of their hearts. 

READINGS
Officiant: In the spirit of family, K and S have asked K's sister, to read a poem about love by James Kavanaugh.

N:
To love is not to possess,
To own or imprison,
Nor to lose one's self in another.
Love is to join and separate,
To walk alone and together,
To find a laughing freedom
That lonely isolation does not permit.
It is finally to be able
To be who we really are
No longer clinging in childish dependency
Nor docilely living separate lives in silence,
It is to be perfectly one's self
And perfectly joined in permanent commitment
To another--and to one's inner self.
Love only endures when it moves like waves,
Receding and returning gently or passionately,
Or moving lovingly like the tide
In the moon's own predictable harmony,
Because finally, despite a child's scars
Or an adult's deepest wounds,
They are openly free to be
Who they really are--and always secretly were,
In the very core of their being
Where true and lasting love can alone abide.

Officiant: We will now have S's brother read a quote about love by Bob Marley.

T: “Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say- and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved, and the many disappointments that life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy, or competition, but only a quiet calmness when you are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they think of you, because they love you for who you are… You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting, and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
DECLARATION OF INTENT
Officiant: At this time, K and S will make public their intention to marry. K and S, you have both freely and deliberately chosen each other as partners, and so I ask:

Will you, K, receive this woman to be your wedded wife, beloved spouse and partner? Will you pledge your devotion and tenderness, cherishing her as your wife as long as you both shall live?

K: I will (To the Crowd: I will).

Officiant: Will you, S, take this man to be your wedded husband, beloved spouse and partner? Will you pledge your devotion and tenderness, cherishing him as your husband as long as you both shall live?

S: I will (To the Crowd: Samesies).

HANDS CEREMONY
Officiant: K and S, please face each. Take each other’s hands and clasp them tightly, so that you may know their true meaning.

K,
These are the hands of your friend, holding yours on your wedding day.
Smooth, young and carefree, these are the hands that will hold you tight and give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that will hold and comfort you when sickness, fear or grief may find you.
These are the hands that will love you, support and encourage you for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your newborn children, soothing them, nurturing them, and encouraging them as they grow.
These are the hands that will work with yours as you chase down the dreams you share together.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours.

S,
These are the hands of your friend, holding yours on your wedding day.
Young, strong and vibrant, these are the hands that will hold you tight and give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that countless times, will wipe the tears of joy and sorrow from your eyes.
These are the hands that will love you, and with the slightest touch will comfort you.
These are the hands that you will place with joy against your stomach, until he too feels his child stir from within you.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as you build a future together.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours.

May the hands that you both hold now have strength to hold on through life’s hardships. May they be kind and gentle as they nurture each other in love. May these hands build a marriage founded in caring, respect, and admiration, reaching together to bring forth the very best in you both. May they build a loving relationship that lasts a lifetime.

As you promise to love each other all the days of your life, may these hands always be held by one another.

VOWS & EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Officiant: And so we come to the presentation of rings by which you symbolize and bind your love. May I have the rings, please?

The wedding ring is a symbol of unity, an everlasting circle without beginning or end. And today, K and S give and receive these rings as a demonstration of their vows to make a single life together, to work at all times to create a love that is whole and unbroken, and to love each other infinitely. This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of the life you will share as one.

K and S, please turn to each other and share the vows you have written.

K:
S,
This is the happiest moment of my life.
I could not ask for a better woman to stand with me tonight.
You are the love of my life.
You always cheer me up when I am feeling down.
You calm my nerves when I am feeling anxious
(To the Crowd: except for this moment, right now).
And you tell me to eat when I am feeling grumpy.
I cannot imagine my life without you.

I know that life is not easy and that we will face hardships.
Sleepless nights and stressful days are in our future.
I vow to always work with you to overcome these obstacles.
I vow to always be there to support you as you will be there to support me.
And I vow to always put away the dishes.

I look forward to the years ahead of us,
To the places we will go together,
To the memories we will have together,
And to the life we will make together.
I love you S, and always will.

I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my love, and with it I pledge my faithfulness to you. From this day forward, I promise to honor and treasure you: today, tomorrow, and always.

S:
K,
I love you with everything I am, and everything I hope to be.
I love you because you put others ahead of yourself and because you hold me close and dance with me in the kitchen. I love you because you kiss me good-bye in the morning- even if I’m still asleep, and because you can reach things on the high shelves I can’t.

You make me believe in us and you make me believe in myself.

I know sometimes its hard being with me- I know that. But I’m a better person because I am with you. This is why I offer you everything- because without you I am nothing.

And so today, and forever, I promise to look after you and up to you, to hold you tight but not hold you back, to pick you up when you fall, and to remind you who you are when you’ve forgotten. And I promise to stay by your side as you stay by mine.

So, I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my love and with it I pledge my faithfulness to you. From this day forward, I promise to honor and treasure you: Today, tomorrow, and always.

CONSECRATION
Officiant: Now, may the love that has brought you together continue to grow. May today’s celebration remain with you as a sign of the partnership you have formed. May the love and happiness that you feel in this moment continue to grow deeper and stronger, and may every word you have spoken here be a living truth in your life together.

PROCLAMATION & KISS
Officiant: K and , in the presence of your family and friends, today you have vowed to share your lives through marriage. And so, in accordance with the laws of the state of California, it is my legal right and privilege to declare you husband and wife.

K, you may now kiss the bride.

CONCLUSION
Officiant: Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present to you, for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. & Mrs. K and S LaRosa.

Springtime Smiles

Spring officially arrived at the end of March, but of course, in classic North Texas fashion, we still had the occasional winter weather sprinkled in with torrential rain and terrible humidity. Lucky for us though, the Springtime weather seems like it's finally sticking around; I can't even remember the last time it wasn't sunny, breezy, and in the mid 70's! I mean, if there is one thing Texas gets right, it's the amazing April weather. Honestly, it almost makes up for it being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, and this past week K and I got to take full advantage of the season and all of the wonders that come with it; it was by far the most eventful week we've had this year!

On Saturday, we spontaneously jumped at the chance to snag an extra pair of FC Dallas Soccer tickets being offered by one of K's coworkers/slow pitch softball teammates. Did you read that sentence carefully? Notice anything strange? I'm talking about the word "spontaneous," which no one would ever use to describe me. Nonetheless, we truly enjoyed ourselves as we munched on tasty/terrible for you stadium food, as we rocked the FC Dallas jerseys we borrowed from my younger brother, and as we watched FC Dallas beat up on the Canadians (they did win 2-1 over Toronto, after all).
Monday night, after a long day in the clinic for me, and an even longer day of class and research for K, we hopped on the DART to watch Game 3 in the Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks Stanley Cup Playoff series. This past hockey season K and I kept saying "We should get tickets to a Stars game," but it never actually happened. Once I realized that the playoffs had already started- lucky for us, the Stars made it to the playoffs this year- I spontaneously bought tickets to Mondays game so that we could finally make good on our plans to see the Stars play at the American Airlines Center (there’s that word again- spontaneous. I guess the weather isn’t the only thing changing this season). I’d forgotten just how exciting hockey games are; prior to Monday, I don’t think I’d been to a game since 1999 when we went to Game 7 of the Western Conference final the year the Stars won the Stanley Cup. It was nice to yell “Stars” during the National Anthem, swing the rally towel, and share in K’s first Dallas Stars experience with a win at home during the playoffs. Hopefully next year we won't have to wait until playoffs to go see them!

In what could end up being the coincidence of the year, my younger brother was also at the game, and ended up sitting just 3 rows in front of us in the same section. We also both ended up wearing the jerseys of two different 1999 Stars players; throw back Monday is a thing, right?

The Vera siblings proudly representing Jamie Langenbrunner and Derian Hatcher.

Tuesday night, K had a co-ed slow pitch softball game, but I won't go into that. This season is kind of a touchy subject given the fact they have yet to win a game...

Rosalind has become quite the softball fan.

Wednesday night, while K was slaving away as a PhD student researcher, I got to get dressed up and dine at Maggiano's with the Texas Association of Women Dentists. Our end of the year banquet is always such an awesome event. Aside from the super delicious multi-course dinner, it's always fun to see everyone OUT of school and OUT of scrubs. Although, even if you take the dental students out of dental school... we don't have anything else to talk about!

The D3 TAWD girls enjoying a night out.

Thursday, K and I found ourselves at the Dallas Arboretum with a bunch of BCD people to watch The Molly Ringwalds (they're an 80's cover band, get it?) perform as part of the Thursday Night Concert Series. We laid on our blanket, eating dinner, sipping wine, and watching the sun set over White Rock Lake- all while rockin' out to classic 80's songs. The company was good and the weather was fantastic. It could not have been a better night!
Friday was basically our "night off," and it was a much needed break after all the previous events of the week. That night, K and I stayed in, we cooked dinner and watched Game 5 of the Stars vs Ducks as we cuddled with the pup on the couch. It was a really relaxing night, but about half way through the game, things got a little more exciting when K and I both got a very important email from 23andMe with some really big news; the results from our DNA tests were in! Now, I realize that the idea of a "DNA test" is a little strange, but I promise there's a perfectly good reason we had our genetic ancestry tested... Really, the ONLY reason was to determine if K is actually Italian (his great-grandfather, Vito LaRosa, was adopted and his birth mother's last name was O'Flannahan or McGrady or something equally and clearly Irish.) And since I like looking at family trees and other similar things pertaining to family heritage, I got my ancestral DNA tested for kicks. All-in-all, I think our money was well spent; the results from our tests were fantastic (it's pretty amazing what information you can get from just a saliva sample)! The preliminary results that we got about a week ago showed us what percentage of our DNA is Neanderthal DNA- that was a surprise to both of us when we learned I have MORE Neanderthal DNA than K... I mean, have you seen that kid's brow line?! Anyway, the main results are what arrived Friday and if you take a look below, you're in for quite a treat.

As you can see from the picture above, the information we got is super interesting; for starters, K is ZERO percent Italian (he's not even a little bit Southern European, for that matter), he's predominantly British/Irish (it seems mama LaRosa's suspicions were dead on), and he's as much Ashkenazi Jewish as I am Iberian! It's pretty funny, because K is as much of a white person as someone can possibly get; my results, however, are little more exotic. I'll let you take a moment to get a closer look at that; try not to be alarmed when your mind is totally blown away by my genetic ancestry...

Following some pretty in depth discussions about our DNA results, I turned in early (while K stayed up and witnessed the super depressing results of the Stars game), and for good reason because Saturday was my BACHELORETTE PARTY!!! I can't believe how quick it came- it seems like just yesterday we were trying to set a date for it! Saturday morning, K and I ran a bunch of errands and did a bunch of chores, finishing just in time for my lovely Matron of Honor and Bridesmaids to come over and do my hair and make-up before they had to run to our hotel to set up for the night's festivities. Now, while the first half of the day was pretty mundane, the night was anything but boring. We started the festivities at the Hilton Anatole, followed by a ride in a stretch limo to dinner at Dee Lincoln's (which also doubles as a champagne bar), followed by stops at the Round Up Saloon, and S4 (pictures not included)!

Even K got to join us at the hotel before we got our "twerk" on.

Words cannot express how grateful I am to have such wonderful friends!!! The girls who planned the night, I've known for over 10 years; the girls who joined us from BCD, truly make dental school bearable. I love those ladies to death, and I'm so glad they got to be apart of such a memorable night!