An Ohio Weekend

This past weekend we were all over the great state of Ohio. Months ago we were invited to a wedding on the east side of Columbus for a sweet Taylor friend, Megumi. Since we knew we would be in Ohio this weekend we planned to visit some high school friends of mine, Kyle & Suzie Yoder, in Athens, Ohio Friday night and Saturday. Kyle just started at Ohio University (not to be confused with THE Ohio State University) in their med school and Suzie is also getting her masters there in special education.

Friday we set out for our first stop in Columbus to visit Rob's cousin Maria and her husband Isaac. They took us to this really yummy Mediterranean restaurant called Lavash and then to a vegan bakery for cookies. Delicious! We had a great time with them talking and laughing. They also gave us a driving tour of THE Ohio State University which was cool for us to see. They got married a few months after us and unfortunately we haven't spent very much time together as couples so this was a great time to connect with them.

Hanging out with Maria & Isaac

After lunch we headed off to Athens to literally the middle of nowhere where Kyle and Suzie live. I had never been to southern Ohio before, but it is really lovely with the changing leaves and rolling hills.

A view from the car

Only in small town America do you see people like Jim Pancake running for public office. We thought his name was absolutely hilarious and well worth the photo stop. We wondered if his main campaign strategy was lots of pancake breakfasts?

Kyle and Suzie have a great living situation about 15 minutes from campus. They found a place to rent on a horse farm that converted old out buildings and houses for horse trainers into rental properties. It is very secluded and quiet. For Kyle and Suzie it is quite a change though because they used to live in downtown Philadelphia. I think they miss the city, but this season is providing rest and connection to nature again for them. We spent Friday evening eating soup and homemade bread, talking, laughing, and playing Settlers. Saturday Suzie and I walked through the woods on horse trails with their dog Ella and their landlord's dog Hank. We also had a driving tour of OU and learned some history of the town.

Suzie with a horse with a creepy blue eye. Apparently these are really famous and beautiful types of horses

A view of the horse barns

The four of us on their "front lawn" which is basically a huge field.

After our great visit with them we headed back up to Columbus for Ben & Megumi's wedding. We didn't expect to know anyone at the wedding, but we sat at a table with two other Taylor grad couples so that was great. The wedding was supposed to be outside on a patio at this mansion, but the forecast was calling for snow so they moved the ceremony into the same room the reception was in. It was a really beautiful wedding (minus the dj with his techno music) and a true celebration of Ben & Megumi. A small tidbit about them by the way -- after they set their wedding date on October 17th they traced back and figured out that that was the first day they met eight years ago! How cool is that? They've been together since then too so I think this day was extra special for them!

Megumi coming down the "aisle". I loved her 1940s style veil.

Rob and I with the happy couple

Cupcakes!

After the wedding we drove to Cincinnati and slept at Rob's parents house instead of driving all the way home that night. We left there at 7:30 Sunday morning to be back in time for church at 11:00. Whew! What a weekend! Needless to say I took a nap on Sunday afternoon. :) All in all a great time with people we love.