The Past and the Present and the Future...Faith and Hope and Charity

A few weeks ago Dominick, Lisa and I had a party for our dear friends Anne-Marie and Coley who are expecting their first child. The moments that we spent together we will cherish forever - anticipating, hoping, laughing, remembering and dreaming of what the future will hold for this beautiful growing family, and for all of us who are blessed to be part of this journey with them.


Anne-Marie and I have often remarked upon what a moving and rare experience it is to have all of your loved ones gathered together in celebration. While I don't know of any physical structure large enough to contain ALL of Anne-Marie and Coley's loved ones, we were able to accomodate at least most of the RU gang.



There was lots of delicious food and smiles...



And then they filmed a JCrew ad campaign in the backyard....oops, nope, just Kroll and his girls!





And of course, time for presents!


Another Gap ad? Nope....that's Brody!



Everyone celebrating and checking out the loot



Anne-Marie is (clearly) beautiful and always has been. She is an inspiring person with contagious laughter and a smile that, like her hugs, melts your worries away. But with a child on the way, she is more breathtaking than we've ever seen her.


It was such a wonderful experience, and even more meaningful because it was so easy - everyone is so excited for this wonderful couple to grow into a family. We all pitched in to make the day a calm, joyous celebration rather than a staged "event". We were rewarded by baby Campbell's decision to let us feel him/her kick in mommy's belly! A truly magical experience.

And at the end of the day, we were left only wishing for more time...and less dishes.



Up the next morning, it was on to the family shower. The parents-to-be looked remarkably well rested and Anne-Marie was wearing some fabulous pumps that few women could teeter on without a baby bump!
There were a tremendous amount of people there, a stamp collection of sorts from all of the places, experiences and phases in this great couple's life. We all shared stories, advice and memories and it was clear that this child will be even MORE loved than his or her parents...and that is pretty hard to imagine.