Life of a Pharmer's Wife

The perfect flats have been found, and I'm falling hard for them! Sarah Flint has mastered the classic leather flat, but with a chic twist. The Natalie Flat checks all of the boxes with style, comfort, and quality. I chose the Saddle Vacchetta color and absolutely love the rich warmth for fall. Last January, I popped into the Sarah Flint store in Dallas and was immediately impressed with her chic designs and incredible quality. The attention to detail is unmatched. Each shoe is handcrafted in Italy, complete with a signature of the artisan in each box. I chose the Perfect Sandal 85 for my brother's wedding and felt confident and comfortable the entire day, which included a fun dance party. When I am looking to update my shoe wardrobe, Sarah Flint has become my first and only stop. The brand has a shoe for every occassion, and when you make an investment in a pair of Sarah Flint shoes, you know it will be a timeless addition to your closet. I reach for my Sarah Flint shoe...

I love first date stories.  Nine times out of ten, first dates are so awkward.  And these awkward encounters with strangers make the best stories.  As it turns out, my last first date was one to remember. June 2011 I met this guy in a bar, and then he actually called me the next day (good sign, right?!). We set a date for the next week when he could come to Raleigh.  Because he was driving from a different state for a date with me, I decided it would be nice to fix him dinner.  One problem: my speciality at that point in my life was microwave sweet potatoes and veggies.  This would not do for a first date if I wanted a second.  My favorite meal would be perfect: salmon, roasted potatoes, and broccoli. Until then, I had never made any of those items without the help of my mom or roommate, so this was definitely going to be an adventure. I thought it best to keep it simple.  A little olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Cook it all on 350. ...

One year.  As I reflect back on years passed, I have always marked years with milestones. Graduations, marriage, a new job, renovations on our home, and most recently, a baby. The rest of the details of the year slip away while I hold on to the memories of these "accomplishments." Aren't those the most important? Photography by Joelle Messerschmidt Over the last few weeks, I have reminisced about the past year, and instead of milestones, I am holding fast to the moments. The breath of new life, snuggles in the wee hours of the morning, the grasp of tiny fingers, and laughter.  Memories that I pray never slip away. Frequently I am asked about Kathryn's baby book documenting her milestones. The date of the first smile, the first roll over, the first tooth, and the first steps.  I have no record of Kathryn's milestones! I feel like I need to use the emoji of the lady with her palm covering her face. What kind of mom does not keep up with these huge milest...

Have you ever wondered, "How did I get here?" I have a notoriously terrible sense of direction and blindly rely on my GPS. The number of wrong turns I have made in my life are too many to count.  However, I can say with full certainty that my path to our little town was perfect.  Perfect because I was not the navigator, nor was I blindly listening to "my lady" in my car tell me which turn to make.  Yet I am often asked, "How did you end up here?" when I share where I was raised. My hometown is more than 1,000 times larger than our little town. 1,000 TIMES! I grew up on freeways, beltlines, and waiting in traffic. I moved to a caution light, a couple of stop signs, and waiting behind tractors.  Yes, this was a big transition. Yes, to anyone looking at this scenario from the outside, it seemed crazy. And yes, I have asked myself, "How did I get here?" This question could easily drum up thoughts of bewilderment, uncertainty, and doubt.  Instead,...