In which Laura and Grace are in the same boat.

Hey ladies.

I'm in a Pride & Prejudice mood today.

    It's autumn. The leaves are falling, and I'm back to wearing boots and scarves and sweaters again. Running in the mornings makes me chilly. The amount of pumpkin spice-flavored foods I have consumed since October 1st is ridiculous. And on Sunday, I am going apple picking with a boy that I met in a chapel over a year ago.
    I never ever saw this coming. I ended my last relationship thinking I would not date anyone until after I graduated from nursing school. I was an angry, emotional wreck with a low opinion of men and an even lower capacity for trusting them.
    And then along comes this lovely human, who agrees so much with my values, opinions, and (most importantly) my faith. This highly sarcastic, caffeine-dependent goofball who opens doors for me and loves holding my ever-freezing hands. This incredible man with such a positive attitude about life, who doesn't mind telling the world that he's totally into me and writing on my Facebook wall to make me laugh.
    This is really different, and a bit weird for me, and I think I like it a lot.
    Gracie, I am beyond happy for you and your recently acquired male suitor. I stalked all of his social media outlets and determined that he has a nice smile and seems to get along with his family, both of which are crucial to any sort of relationship that you two might eventually develop.
   Anyway, I'm done creeping I swear.
   I creep because I care.
   *Inserts heart kissy face emojis*
   I agree with what you had to say about cultivating a real relationship in our technology-dependent society. Romance and chivalry are still very much alive, and I think it is our job to use social media to augment these usually cute and harmless aspects of a relationship. There is a fine line between being genuinely happy and cute when posting all over everyone's feed and being gross in your efforts to prove the health and stability of your love life.
    My point is this: social media is highly overrated. Don't take it so seriously. If you find a cute animal video, and it reminds you of your significant other, then by all means post it on their wall. When you want to sincerely say "I love you," say it to their face. And don't be afraid of either extreme. Everything is beautiful in moderation.

One of my all-time favorite verses :)

    Again Gracie, congratulations. May God bless whatever path you go down alongside this boy who brings you so much joy.
    Mercy & Rose, you had better post this week lest I kick your scrawny, underachieving arses.
    Live long and prosper! (As my dear friend Eugene would say).
    --Laura :)