RuPaul | Finding delight.

Finally, our reception! After a delicious gumbo dinner, our guests continued to grab drinks from the bar (Of course we had to include cold cans and bottles of our favorite soda, Ale-8!), munch on home-made cupcakes, and chat.

Before we cut the cake, our friends gave toasts. I’ve known Chad since high school and Chet and Ganer go way back as well so it was such a treat to have them speak on our behalf. Their speeches were eloquent, beautiful, and funny to boot! I pretty much cry-laughed (Is that a thing?) the whole time.

Next up, my sister called everyone back into the Performance Hall for a little musical surprise. She performed a mash-up of “Where You Lead” and this Rebecca Lavelle song. (They’re the theme songs of two of our favorite tv shows–Gilmore Girls and McLeod’s Daughters.) It was too perfect!

Finally, we cranked up a playlist of our favorite songs and cut loose on the dance floor. Above we are serving some Bob the Drag Queen *REALNESS* to Purse First. Below we are spinning, vogueing, and singing along to Lost Bayou Ramblers, RuPaul, and Lady Gaga, respectively.

In the midst of the revelry, Chet and I made our way upstairs and stole a kiss as our guests cheered below. Such a cheeky but magical moment. Haha!

And then, as the reception drew to a close, we headed down the street to a nearby bar and enjoyed the company of our friends and family all the way ’til closing time. What an amazing party! I couldn’t have asked for a better reception and that was entirely due to the company we keep. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate! We love you!!!

Thank you so much for indulging me as I shared a bajillion posts about our wedding. I hope you enjoyed them. I certainly enjoyed creating them and getting to re-live such a magnificent weekend full of love and loved ones.

Of course, none of these posts would be possible without the beautiful images captured by Sur La Lune Photography. So, immense love and gratitude to Carrie and Ganer for managing to preserve the day exactly as we saw it through our own eyes. You both amaze and inspire me. We will treasure our wedding photos forever and hold you in our hearts for just as long! xoxo

If you have yet to commit to the reality TV glory that is RuPaul’s Drag Race I encourage you to get on it. (Seasons 4 and 5 are on Hulu.) Even if you’ve yet to clock the show, I’m sure by now you at least know the premise: a little bit of Top Model, a little bit of American Idol, and a WHOLE lot of shade. But what about the element that ramps up this reality show romp to the next level? If you’re like me, what keeps you coming back is the titular queen herself. I can not get enough Rupaul. Here’s why…

1. This genuinely beautiful childhood memory –

In an Ask Me Anything on Reddit, RuPaul was asked, “What’s the fondest childhood memory you have?” and his response is such a lovely way of framing drag, performance and his own ability to change people’s perceptions:

The time my sister Renetta took me to the Canyon with a paper bag of cookies and a blanket, and told me “Ru-ru- this is a pic-nic.”

I was 5 years old.

That’s when I first learned about magic. Because to anyone else, it would be a paper bag and a blanket. But Renetta turned it into a magical event by calling it a pic-nic.

2. These videos are a go-to for a pick-me-up or dance party –

3. RuPaul asks the good questions –

When you’ve blazed your way through all available seasons of RDR, there are 34 wonderful webisodes of RuPaul Drives… for you to enjoy! His interviewing skills and rapport with his passengers do not disappoint.

4. So much knowledge –

RuPaul keeps it real in the best way possible; intelligence, sass, and a dose of life experience all with a light-hearted, buoyant quality. Basically, life-lessons that are RUHL. These words are speaking to me at the present moment…

“When you become the image of your own imagination, it’s the most powerful thing you could ever do.”

“When the going gets tough, the tough reinvent.”

“My goal is to always come from a place of love …but sometimes you just have to break it down for a motherfucker.”

5. Always finding delight –

RuPaul is always in pursuit of delight–whether that be a giggle or entertainment or seeing the people she builds up succeed. What a wonderful life approach to try and mimic, don’t you think?

An explanation from the previously mentioned AMA, “The main thing that motivates me is laughter…”

And so in my own attempt to find delight– those words of encouragement, these melodies, the binge-worthy episodes and THAT LAUGH…truly hit the spot.

Have you been sucked in to the Ru-niverse? Why do YOU love RuPaul? Have a favorite queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race? Mine is obviously Alaska…but that’s a post for another day.

P.S. Has anyone read this book? I would give anything. Why is it a gajillion dollars? Bout to inter-library loan that shit. KBAIIII!