#1,452 Tree Lighting.

Tonight was the city tree lighting ceremony in downtown at Pinehurst Park—definitely one of my favorite events of the year. Ben spoke at the end. Made my heart fluttery. Typical.

The gospel choir from the high school is AMAZING. They perform every year and give us all chills.

I look tired and haggard, but that’s what 80 degree humidity does to you. In December, it’s particularly degrading.
Afterward was the first night of our youth movie night fundraiser, showing Home Alone in the old theatre next to the park and beside our church. My parents went on their first date here when it was a movie theatre, though now it’s mostly a play house. I’ve been in love with it since I was a little girl, when I would be in every play or musical that called for kids. It doesn’t hurt that I got my first kiss onstage in A Christmas Carol in 1996 when I was 11, from Jason Dechert who now pops up on TV from time to time—namely on Grey’s Anatomy. I was playing his little sister. He kissed me on the cheek. It counts, y’all. Don’t be jealous, Ben. 
“When I grow up and get married, I’m living alone! I’m living alone!”

Tomorrow night we’re showing Elf!