I have been admittedly MIA for the past month, but for good reason – the past few weeks have been full of time with my favorite people. I’m so rich in love and friendship! So, I’m back to recap a few of my favorite April / early May memories.

Noah and I spent a good amount of time in Arizona this month – him, for work and to ref the USA Touch Rugby tournament, and me, for ✨ fun and vibes ✨ We got to catch his grandma’s 80th birthday party, my niece Sammi’s soccer practice and game, and some serious sun, which was the best.

April is a big birthday month on the Lata side in general – we also got to celebrate Dad Lata’s and my birthdays while we were there. My in-laws were generous enough to honor my request to swim with everyone to celebrate my birthday even when the weather decided to change its mind last minute (because if you grew up with me, you know that playing in the pool with my cousins / nieces is my idea of a good time). Shoutout to Dad for making teri burgers at my request because I’ve lowkey been dreaming of them since he made them for me like two whole years ago 🤣💀

I also stumbled into a senior couple who I volunteered with on my church service mission during this trip! I would ordinarily say that I accidentally stumbled into them, but I lowkey feel like this meeting was divinely inspired.

I was in Mesa on a Sunday to watch Noah ref during his tournament and wanted to catch a sacrament meeting before his first game started. I looked up a meetinghouse and was headed there when I passed another LDS church building – I decided to go there instead and ended up walking right into the congregation, or ward, that my two friends, Marc and Denna Denton, attended.

Marc always used to play the organ and lead all the music efforts in our mission. He used to talk about the productions of Handel’s Messiah he put on back home in Arizona during Christmas time. So, when the ward announced that they’d be performing selections of Easter music and I saw his side profile at the organ from my spot in the back row, I knew it was him.

I got to say hi quickly before dashing off to Noah’s game, and then met up with them again later to catch up and introduce them to Noah. They, like literally everyone else I’ve ever met, were blown away by how much local history Noah knew and how many friends they had in common, and we had a blast spending time with them.

My birthday celebrations continued when we came home to CdA. In the best possible twist of fate, Pride and Prejudice was back in theaters for its 20th anniversary and I got to see it on the big screen for the first time with the Maile fam. I swooned and cried and laughed, of course, but it was even more special hearing a whole crowd of people who loved it just as much as I did doing the same. I love watching movies in the theater! Experiencing art with other people is something I’ve come to appreciate as I’ve gotten older.

Speaking of things I appreciate – can I also just say that one of the things I love most about Noah is his taste? We’ve watched P&P together already, but I wanted him there with me to watch it on the big screen, so he came. And it was even more fun listening to HIM enjoying the movie.

Not every husband is open to the merits of a historical romance, but Noah is down for pretty much anything, as long as it’s high quality. He is so smart and witty, which many people around him know, but what some people might not know is that he can hold his own in a room full of historical movie lovers. He needed no translation to follow the twists and turns and wisecracks and nuances. I ask you, is there anything hotter than your husband cracking up at a witty 1800s burn? I think not!

My birthday rolled along the next day, and I was so touched by the outpouring of love from friends and family who thought of me – who remembered my favorite flower and arranged for a pot of them to be delivered to my house, who texted or shared kind words with me, who went out of their way to make me my favorite foods, or who served me in some way (I received the most beautiful quilt as a gift that I’m going to cherish for forever!!). I am one lucky lady. In my 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of associating with funny, selfless, wise, and truly beautiful people. I’m looking ahead to the next 25 years with them, and meeting more incredible people with similar hearts.

And last, but certainly not least – we’ve had a blast celebrating a certain bride around here for the past few weeks. Mrs. Hannah Glenn (formerly Hannah Jolly) found her forever last summer and it’s been a true joy to watch her glow – and to watch her tribe gather around to lift her up and support her all along the path to her big day.

First up was Hannah’s bridal shower, which was full of smiles and laughter. We share many of the same loved ones since we grew up in the same ward – seeing these powerful and kind women gather to share wisdom and their congratulations was so touching. That group is such a force, and they’ve impacted both our lives for good.

I was part of Hannah’s bachelorette party planning committee, and had the honor of escorting Hannah out on the town for her last night of singleness before becoming a Wild Wild Wife (because let’s be real, she’s going to be just as fun as a married lady as she was a single one). Hannah has a wicked sense of humor and can party with the best of them, as long as her friends are around, which made for a great night out together. I mean, look at her. Have you ever seen a cuter bride to be??

Over the past few weeks I’ve watched Hannah and Joe’s loved ones spring into action to help make their wedding vision come to life, which is something I really enjoy about weddings in our faith community. In our church, it’s pretty common for people to skip a more formal venue, catering service, or wedding planner in favor of using a church building or friend’s space, sourcing food from friends and family, and relying on loved ones to help set up and take down decorations and such to save money. I grew up in this culture and always relished the opportunity to play a special part in friends and family’s weddings by working behind the scenes to make it all run smoothly.

Noah and I experienced this firsthand when we got married, and Hannah was a major part of that experience for me. The summer leading up to my wedding, Hannah and I happened to be the only two people living in our apartment. I was working three jobs that summer and Noah and I were planning our own wedding. I was so overwhelmed and had no clue what I was doing – Hannah often found me in tears and had a first row seat to my absolute panic.

Like the true friend she is, she asked again and again for things to shoulder with me. This girl went with me to my dress fittings, sampled wedding cakes with me, helped me build out SEVERAL planning spreadsheets, and endeared herself to my auntie Sharon (who was the mastermind in charge of decorations at my reception) by working so quickly and efficiently that Sharon requested Hannah’s presence at her daughter’s wedding months later lol (and, hello?? She showed up and was there taking everything down with us until 2 AM!).

Hannah doesn’t serve with any particular goal or outcome in mind, but I’ll never forget her kindness and willingness to stand by me in any way she could as I bumbled my way through the process of getting married. It was honor to work alongside Hannah and Joe’s loved ones as they provided the same type of support for them in a true expression of love.

Their wedding day was so beautiful, and one of my favorite parts was hearing a few speeches from Hannah and Joe’s siblings, parents, and friends at a luncheon following the wedding ceremony. The power of family and community was so evident in the tears of love that were shed, the memories that were shared, and the laughter that flowed freely. Hannah and Joe were just glowing with joy and contentment. It was beautiful to see!

In short? All my favorite things this month came from my favorite people (no surprise there!) I have so, so much to be thankful for.

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1. I’ve decided to start footnotes for all of the quotes / references I do in these blog posts since I’ve caught myself doing it so often, lol. Blog title is in reference to this iconic interview by Cher. You’re welcome!