My Wonderful Parents

My parents have taught me everything I know about love. This amazing couple just celebrated their 32nd anniversary last week and have raised four wonderful children. My dad, Bill Jewell, is the most kindhearted man I have ever met. He is funny and smart, always takes care of the family, even when we give him a hard time, and he is an incredible dad. I could not imagine a better father and am so happy he will be walking me down the aisle. (The beach isle that is) My mom, Mary Jean Jewell, is super woman! She is an amazing teacher and friend, hard worker, caretaker, and she is always looking out for us. If I am half the woman she is, I will consider my life a success. I have so much more to learn from my parents and am glad I have them in my life. They are my inspiration for the life I am starting with Tom.

My parents are more than just generous and loving, they are saints. They are paying for the entire wedding and this special event would not be the same without them. They have been nothing but supportive of Tom and I since we got engaged and they are helping make our dreams a reality. It was my mom and sisters’ idea to have a destination wedding. Everybody in the family loves to travel so my parents were on board 100%. They never cease to amaze me. They give and give and give. I have never met two more generous individuals.

My mom has been my right hand woman in planning out all the nitty gritty of such a huge event. She is super organized and has made sure all the details have come together, even when I have dragged my heels and made it harder on her. (I am sometimes an indecisive person…) She is full of good advice and always looking out for me and my best interest. She found the Brew Fest, got the hotel deals, picked out the amazing flowers, took me all over the place looking for odds and ends, and has helped me with everything under the sun. Thank goodness I have my mom! I am so thankful for everything she has done for me. If you just love something about the wedding it was probably her doing. We have had so much fun this summer, I could not have picked a better time to get married because I had her all to myself ALL summer. (teacher remember) Plus she has great ideas and the excitement is contagious.

Advice for making a marriage work: “Make sure you pick the right guy.” ~Mom

The Jewell Family

Wow, I have a big family… soon to be one bigger! Ha. I have two wonderful parents, Mary Jean and Bill Jewell. They have both been incredible role models for relationships and love. They have taught me so much in my life about caring for family, being the best person you can be, and looking out for those who mean the most to you. I am blessed beyond belief to have such generous, caring parents. I also have 3, count them, three siblings! Two very tall handsome brothers who bring smiles to my life every time I think of them. John and Will are funny and kind, super intelligent, and of course dashing men! What is a girl to do? My older sister is also amazing and beautiful, just not as tall. (we didn’t get that Jewell gene) She and I shared a room growing up and were best friends. Marianna is super sweet and always knows how to make us laugh and keep us in line.

I also have a wonderful sister-in-law, Marilyn, married to my older brother, John. She has added so much to the Jewell clan I am thankful I get to call her family! She knows everything there is to know about anything you could ask. I like it that way because I can never go wrong when she is around. Also in the picture is my Grandmother, Elizabeth Simpson, after whom I was named, and my mom’s sister, Ann Wilson. They have both been very instrumental in my life and I love them dearly. You all know Tom by now, trying to stick his head above my sister. I can’t wait to call him family with the rest of them!

The Gatlin-Nicholson Family

Jonathan Gatlin has a wonderful family who all live in Nashville, TN. His parents, Joy and Nick Nicholson, are amazing people who have taught Tom all there is to know about generosity, love, and going with the flow. His mom is so much fun to be around and makes the best desserts you could ever eat. (Sometimes I swear she is trying to fatten me up) Her laissez-faire attitude has opened my eyes to a new world of possibility and opportunity. Nick is always full of wisdom and there to lend a helping hand. He works so hard sometimes we wonder if he ever sleeps. You can definitely see their influence on Tom and the differences they have made in shaping his life.

Tom also has two wonderful sisters, Gracyn and Shelby. Gracyn is energetic and thoughtful. She is always keeping us on our toes and is becoming a gorgeous young woman before our eyes. Shelby is a very kind and loving mother of two beautiful children, whom we also adore. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met and I can’t wait to call her family.

Tom’s Grandmother and Aunts helped raise him and have been a source of fun in his life. Joyce Gatlin, lovingly referred to as Nana, lives right down the street and is always a pleasure to be around or has a story to tell. Jan, who lives directly across the street from Nana, has instilled in Tom silliness and kindness.She took care of Tom often when he was little and she has the funniest sense of humor I have ever come across. Jada, Jan and Joy’s sister, lives in Mt. Juliet with her husband, Paul, and her two kids, Drew and Sydney. They are both welcoming and amicable whom Tom and I love being around.

Tom has been so blessed to have such a lively, good willed family. I can’t wait to call them my own!

Germans, Germans, Germans

Tom lived in Germany for a time and I was lucky enough to meet his German family while we were traveling in Europe a couple of summers ago. They welcomed us with open arms, after all Tom is like a son to them, and I had the best time finally getting to know the people Tom so frequently talks of. His German parents, Harry and Erica, we’re so much fun and took really good care of me when I got food poisoning during my travels. We can’t wait to go to Europe again and see them soon. Hopefully, by then, I will have learned a little more German and can give Tom a run for his money.

Marianna Jewell

My Maid of Honor is, of course my amazing older sister, Marianna Jewell. I am so lucky to have Marianna in my life. She is a smart courageous woman who any girl could look up to. Now that she has moved back to Nashville I get to spend more time with her, and I absolutely love having her around. Marianna is so strong, honest, and empowering. She epitomizes the best older sister a girl could have and she has encouraged me to also be the best woman I can be.

Marianna is always there to offer sound advice, a funny story, and loads of fun. She can do anything she sets her mind to and loves to prove it! She is the best game competitor I have come across and she will win every time. We are still working on Tom and my strategies to overcome her in cards. Marianna is an incredible singer and travel buddy as well. We have spent many a car trip listening to her voice on her Nothing But Treble CD and wishing she were there. I made sure she was the one standing by me as I take Tom to be my husband. What more could I ask for?