Not a day goes by...Miss you Papabear

It is so hard to believe that it’s been a whole year. The Sellers family was hit like a bomb this time last year. Mr. Donald Sellers was taken from us so suddenly.

It still to this day is so hard to even believe. When I pull in Devin’s drive way, I still look for the mailman jeep. I still can imagine walking into their kitchen and him whipping us up some yummy blueberry muffins. I still long to know what his reaction would have been when Devin popped the question for me to marry him. I still want to believe he will be sitting in the front row at my wedding when I marry his son. I looked for him at my graduation because at Devin's graduation, he was already talking about coming up for mine the following year. Reality hits me every day. My heart aches and aches every day for Mrs. Susie, Devin, Drew, and so many more who had even the least little impact from Mr. Donald. If you met him once, you were blessed. He was a humble man who had a heart of gold and was willing to give anyone a helping hand.

I have on the other hand been so unbelievably moved by the faith and trust this family has put in God to get them through these difficult days. This time last year, Devin and I had just begun to get really involved in church and God was working in our life. When I say God’s timing is perfect…I mean that with my entire heart. Without the changed heart that God gave us, I’m not sure how either of us would have responded to this situation. I honestly am not sure how people go through times like this without believing in Jesus Christ. I have seen the power of my God work through this situation in many ways. After hearing the testimonies at the funeral service, we had several people come and talk to us about how moved they were by the sweet words people spoke about him. We had husbands tell us they wanted to love their wife like he loved Mrs. Susie. If he heard this, I know that would be a tickled man. I have never seen a man love a woman like he loved Mrs. Susie.  

 I want to give yall some advice and some of the best life lessons I learned from PapaBear…

 NEVER say “I don’t care” to the question “what would you like to eat”

….you will get no food

Not everyone is blessed enough to have the OPTION of what they want to eat, so be thankful, appreciate, and always CARE!

 Don’t knock on the Sellers door if you know you’re already welcomed in. If there is a good game on or an action TV show on…They will not get up and you’ll be standing there until you let yourself in.  

Curly hair is better than straight hair. Less makeup is better than no makeup. Skin and bones are not attractive on a woman. Women who eat meat are only allowed to marry into the Sellers family…I learned this the hard way when I tried to be vegetarian in high school. I gave up because I wouldn’t resist his chicken bog.

If you’re going to love someone, love them with your whole heart. No love is better than half love. I stand firmly by this theory still to this day.

 Trust…what is a relationship without trust? Jealousy only causes problems so don’t be jealous. Be proud people are looking at your man…if you TRUST them, nothing is going to happen for you to worry about! You understand that? Just think about it, it makes sense!   

If you’re going to cook, don’t rush. If you rush, it will turn out yucky because you probably rushed right past an important part of the ingredient. Same goes with life in general. If you rush through it, you’re going to miss out on the best parts of life! Slow down and take time to enjoy the small things. You will see such beauty in the smallest things.  

 

If you’re going to make Rice Krispy Treats….make sure you use butter.

Okay last one…

If you put sugar in a glass canister for your coffee…MAKE SURE IT IS SUGAR AND NOT SALT. Yes, yes…I am guilty of this and yes I did drink my coffee with salt. Don’t try it… Just saying. I hate Mr. Donald missed out on this slipup on my part but I know he would have been happy I brought humor to someone’s life.

Papa Bear will ALWAYS be a part of me. I hope to make him proud when I marry his son. I know if Devin loves me even half as much as he loves Mrs. Susie…I will be one blessed woman.

Same with Devin’s brother Drew..I see the way Drew loves Meghan and it reminds me so much of how Mr. Donald loved Mrs. Susie. He taught those boys how to be a man of God, a family man, and a good husband.

 

I can’t wait to officially be a part of the Sellers family. I know as long as I am a Sellers, my life will be abounded with love, encouragement, and laughter. We have clung to each other this past year and I know we will continue to lean on each other through the good days and the bad days.

#SellersStrong

updates on the future sellers!

Wow, what a busy past couple of weeks we have had! Time sure does fly when you are engaged and trying to plan a wedding and also trying to complete your last semester of nursing school!

 

 

So, here is what has been happening in the life of the future Mr. & Mrs. Devin Sellers…

ENGAGEMENT PICTURES!

 

He had these shirts made for me for my birthday! I had no idea that he was doing this but they made for a great outfit for our pictures!

 

 

I cannot even begin to tell you all how much fun we had taking these pictures. We made the decision after talking to our wonderful friends Maggie and Sam Hickman that Amber Rhodes Photography was the BEST photographer around, so we asked her to be a part of our wedding. I seriously could not be any happier with our choice. She is amazing. I got to know Amber a little bit at Maggie and Sam’s wedding events, but having one on one time with her was the best. She captured some of the most amazing pictures of Devin and I, and I will cherish them forever! She made us feel so comfortable during our photo session (I am serious the most awkward person in the world when it comes to taking cute couple pictures). When I look at the pictures, I can see the love Devin has for me and me for him.

It was hard to decide where exactly we wanted to have our engagement pictures taken at. We have so many memories at a variety of different places! Devin and I decided we wanted to do something a little different for our engagement pictures. Since we met and started dating in high school, we figured it would be sweet to have some of our pictures taken at the high school to capture the love we shared in our younger years! We got some great pictures by the lockers, in the front lobby where we shared our first kiss, and on the football field where I use to watch him play football. We then decided we wanted our pictures taken in rocking chairs because this describes a perfect afternoon for us. There is nothing either of us rather do than relax and hold each other on a warm (not hot) sunny day. On my front porch and dock we have a swing and rocking chairs, so we had these photos done at my house which will always be special to me when I look back at these pictures!

Now, since engagement pictures have been taken….Save the Dates are out! There is no turning back now Mr. Sellers! After Amber Rhodes finished editing our engagement pictures, we put together our save the date! I am so happy with them. I loved the calendar idea on the post card just because our date is so special to Devin and I in so many ways. During my clinical rotations in the hospital, there was a doctor that would respond by saying “10 4” and when I hear people respond by saying 10 4, I just get so giddy and I can’t help but smile. I hear Devin’s dad in my mind saying “10 4”, I think about my great grandmother since this was her birthday, and I also think about it will be the day I get to marry my best friend.

 

On another note... I’m not sure if I told you all or not, but I kindddd of won a free wedding cake! When I get the chance to go to bridal expos, I always get suckered into signing up on the vouchers that the vendors usually have out. Well future brides, let me give you some advice…take the time to fill these out because they do actually pick a winner! Devin and I were so blessed to have won this amazing offer. Coccadots Cake Shop in Myrtle Beach, SC were so generous to have done this for us. They gave us a free cake tasting and let us design our own personal wedding cake

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 Devin and I also finished a half marathon together! I love to run and well….Devin loves me, so he ran it with me! We completed the Quintiles in Wilmington, NC. I can honestly say that crossing that finish line holding hands with my fiancé was the best feeling in the world. We hung through the entire thing together and it was so encouraging to be able to push through it side by side. I wore my “I cant keep calm, Im getting married” shirt and I think more people told me congratulations on being engaged than about me running in a half marathon! Haha!

We are down to less than 6 months! I cannot express the excitement that runs through me whenever I think about this. We have had our ups and downs during our engagement process, but Devin and I have really not ran into many fights or arguments like everyone says we will. We try to find the good in every situation that comes at us. Some of our plans have fallen through, but God provided us with a better one. Patience, love, and communication are what have helped us through engagement. We also do not let the busyness of engagement interfere with our dating life. We still have our date nights and ensure that we set aside "us" time!

 

If you want to check out more about our wedding, check out our website that we created! Theknot.com/wedding/haley-and-devin

I want to live a life like that

What do you think about when you hear the word Grace?

Grace is a word that is used several times in the Bible. Grace is something that is God-given. It is a gift given to sinners for their salvation.

Another thing I think about when I hear the word Grace is my Great Grandmother, Grace Enzor.

When you hear people speak about Grace Enzor, you’re going to hear about Jesus. When her name comes up in conversation, somewhere in the discussion someone will talk about how much that woman loves God and how she will always leave you with a prayer. Her whole life was focused on her desire to serve God and spreading the Gospel to anyone she encountered.

 

On March 13, my Grandma Grace went home to be with the Lord. Some may say we should mourn for her…but why mourn for her? She is the one in the presence of the Lord! I can only imagine her face right now seeing such a glorious Kingdom! I know she took the Lords hand as she crossed that bridge into those pearly gates of Heaven, just as she would always grab your hand if you were sitting near her.

She was also a family woman. She never wanted to go very far from home. She told my sister that people were crazy if they ever left home in anything other than an ambulance or a hearse. At her service they spoke of how she loved everyone, but she gave extra love to those who needed it. She was tender and kind to the ones who were sick and desperate for love. She gave them love but she gave them the gospel while she was at it.

 

I am so thankful to have been able to spend 22 years of my life with my Great Grandmother. She taught me that nothing in life is more important than serving God and loving the life we are given. In her service, they read out of the book of Psalms multiple times because this is the book she had obviously studied because there were notes scribbled in on the sides of the pages. The book of Psalm to me is a place to go when you’re hurting, when you are rejoicing, or when you are praising!

What do you want to be remembered by? How you look, the things you do on the weekend, who you hang out with, how smart you are, etc.? I want to be remembered for my love for Jesus and my desire to serve him with my life. My Grandmother was a great role model for this. I was so blessed to have gotten the chance to learn from her. I want to live a life like my Grandma Grace.

October 4^th is my Grandma Grace’s birthday. This is also the day that I will marry Devin Blake Sellers. The last time I saw my Grandma she talked about how nice of a fellow Devin was and that she knew that he loved Jesus. I showed her a picture of my wedding dress and her eyes lit up. She told me it was so pretty. She was a woman that was always dressed to impress so if she approved, I hope Devin will too! I know that she will be smiling down on us on that special day.

Monograms&Mimosas

This weekend was by far one of the best weekends I have had in a while. Finishing up my last semester of nursing school does not leave me with a lot of free time! This weekend was full of wedding excitement, bridal bliss, and quality time with some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for.

 

 

My roommates decided they wanted to throw a bridal shower for me with all of my closest friends from Greenville! They even worked it out that my sister, mine and Devin's mom, and some of my bridesmaids from back home came which I am so thankful for! They have had to keep secrets from me for the past month (Taylor was not so good at this) but it was so worth it. All of the hard work and planning they did was so humbling and it is something I will never forget.

 

 

Just walking into the shower, I was in such awe. Everything was decorated in pink, white, and burlap. The stairs were lined with my future name “SELLERS” and when I walked in the room, there awaited all of the girls! We had some of the most delicious food served with a yummy glass of mimosa. Since my roommates know me better than most, they served breakfast foods which they know is my favorite meal of the day!

 

After we finished eating, Jessica had a little game planned for me. Since I am not showing nor telling anyone what my wedding dress looks like, they decided they were going to try and create what they thought my dress would look like…..with toilet paper.

 

Since there were a lot of girls there to play, we broke up into teams. Nursing school girls and girls outside of nursing school. I decided to volunteer my sister since she is also a bride-to-be so there wouldn’t be an unfair advantage with the second team! I was with the nursing school girls and my sister was with the others! Let me just say….you put a bunch of nursing students together on a team, they will get the job done and it will be perfected. They were wrapping me by doing figure 8s and such! Guess all those lab days practicing wrapping limbs paid off! If you took a quick glance at my toilet paper dress, you would have thought it was an actual dress. It was a “sweetheart mermaid dress with a long train and a bow in the back.”  

 

Sorry Emily…I think I won that one…..Your toilet paper gloves were a great accessory to your dress though!

 

After we finished playing the game, I opened up presents and am so grateful for all the sweet gifts everyone got me. I am so excited to be able to sport that Sellers name and they got me pretty prepared to do so! To all the guest who came, thank you again. You all mean the world to me and I am so thankful for your friendship. I don’t know what I would do without you all.

 

To my host…you girls went above and beyond to make this day so special for me. I can’t believe our time as roommates is almost over. I don’t even like to think about the day we all move out. You girls are not only my roommates, but my family. I have learned so much from y’all and am so excited for the next chapter in our lives. Thank you for loving me at my best times and at my worst times, my goods days and my bad days. You girls are the best. I LOVE YALL!