melody of love.

Today is my dad's 58th birthday, though I struggle to believe he could possibly be close to that number. Last year, he celebrated his birthday with a lunch {paid for by my dear 92 year old grandmother} at one of her favorite restaurants in my hometown, the Chocolate Spoon. They had a "lovely lunch" as she described it in her diary, though she did mistakenly quote my dad's age as 47 ;) After lunch, she dropped off my dad at work. {Yes, she still carried a driver's license at 92!} They kissed, they shared their "I love you's", and they said {what would be their last} goodbye.

A year earlier, {cv} and I came in the weekend after my dad's birthday for our first visit since we got engaged in December 2008. Whenever we came to Indiana, there was always a fun visit with my grandmother. Sometimes, we shared ice cream and {cv} would get cornered with questions. Other times, we'd share grape soda. One time in particular, she got us to sing this song...please pardon the singing, but it should hopefully at least bring you a laugh {especially around the part when my mom makes a wisecrack about the second verse}:

Isn't she a riot? I am so happy to have this video--though I'm a little relieved it didn't make a showing at our wedding ;) we did, however, have "Melody of Love" played during our cocktail hour.

So, why am I showing you this video? Well, my dear grandmother passed away the day after my dad's birthday last year--and I wanted to give my dad a smile today. She passed peacefully at home and surely walked straight into the Lord's arms.

Taken on her birthday in October 2008, this photo was shot in the same lunch spot where my dad celebrated with her last year. {Sidenote: see that ring she's wearing on her right hand? I wore it on my wedding day!}

{fun fact: my dad has had that sweater since at least 1987--when I was 2}

Living more than ten hours from my grandmother during the last seven years of her life felt somewhat like a long distance relationship. We wrote letters and sent cards {the last one I received from her was from Valentine's Day last year--a few weeks before she passed}. I tried to call, but her hearing prevented any lengthy conversations. Suffice it to say, one of the toughest parts about being away from "home" in Indiana was not being able to see her. Now that she's gone, I really do still love her from afar--though I know she's in the place where she belongs. I'm also grateful to have so many wonderful memories of her, like the one you see in this video.

Happy Birthday, Pops! Keep a smile on! We know Gramma is smiling down on you today!

Hope you enjoyed the video--have a great night everyone :) xoxo {av}

P.S. Special prayers for one of my dear friends at home who suddenly lost his mother this weekend. We certainly can't always understand the Lord's timing, but it's a comfort to know she's no longer in pain.