European inspiration

Before our season at A Day in May kicked into high gear at the end of May (I know, it's been two full months) my parents, brother and I embarked on our very own version of "National Lampoons: European Holiday."

We didn't get kidnapped or create any minor disasters however we took in the sites, sounds and culture the way only the Fritz Family could! With incredible airfare, under $400 from Traverse City... we are the 3rd most expensive airport to fly in and out of in the country, we flew across the pond to Stuttgart, Germany where our journey began.

Where is Stuttgart you may ask and why go there? Stuttgart prides itself in being the creative power of Germany. Located near the Black Forest and north of Switzerland it's home to two of my favorite things- Porsche and Mercedes :) But... when we arrived at 9:30am Germany time we didn't head into the city, we headed to the sleepy medieval town of Tübingen about 30 minutes outside the city.

This university town has been in the record books since the 12th century and survived WWII through it's lack of industry and catering to the more popular rise of tourism.

I'm no Jen Kroll or Bob Davis but here are some shots I took while walking around with the family (DISCLAIMER- my photo editing skills are not as sharp either but we're getting there!):


So cool huh! This was an old town government building that is now the local library.


I love these half-timbered houses. Walking along the cobblestone streets and gazing upward provided an interesting look at their architecture and color.


This was the only "cool" spot with a dampness that chilled you to the bone- it was welcome as we crossed the town... very hot that day! This would be an even cooler shot had I taken the picture before we started walking down.


This trip I wasn't taking pictures for the sake of taking pictures. I wanted to "play" with my photography not document every site we saw. I love this tile look from a gate over a window up the hill to the castle. Don't be surprised if you see this again :)


Schloß Hohentübingen or better known in english as Castle High Tübingen, was built in the 11th century but in the 12th and 13th century wooden walls shown here were incorporated. The castle is now home to the Univerty of Tübingen's ancient studies and overlooks the Nekar Region.

With the stifling heat and the onset of crankiness setting in from no sleep we headed back to Stuttgart. Oh I forgot to mention one minor detail... Andrew drove us on the Autobahn... in a pimped out Mercedes we rented... nice graduation present huh! Only problem was that it started to rain and heavy traffic around the city prevented him from really "driving" on the Autobahn. Next time...

Love

I love my husband. So many days do I forget to tell him how much he really means to me and as I was searching through papers today I stopped and read a part of our wedding program- a poem that I love. I've been reminded of our finite life in many ways lately. We may never know what tomorrow holds for us however my prayer is that all those who mean the most to me recognize just how much I love them.



i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

Yes, Yes and Yes!!!

Before I blog about our fabulous trip (we just got home from Germany and Italy) I HAVE to post this!

Allison and I didn't make the best first impressions on one another but shortly after that infamous meeting we've been the greatest of friends and over three years ago she married the love of her life Jake Fox. Out of the Michigan Baseball program, the University of Michigan that is, Jake got drafted by the Chicago Cubs and just last week he was given the promotion of a lifetime... welcome to the big leagues!

There is not one person who derserves this more than Jake, aside from Ali- who's stood by him every pitch, run and strike out along the way.

I love you both so much and am so happy for you! GO TEAM FOX!!!


Jake Fox gets long-awaited promotion to Cubs

Fox finally gets a shot with the Cubs

Thank you!

It is both an honor and an extreme privilege for me to announce that A Day in May was voted as The Best Wedding Planner in the Traverse City Area via Up North Live and is now a member of Traverse City's A-List Vendors!

Voting began about two months ago and ADIM was nominated! (Thank you for whomever nominated us!) There were over 14,000 votes cast for the A-List and we'd like to thank everyone who left us encouraging and heartfelt comments as well as those who showed their support in voting!

Having officially broken onto the stage over two years ago we are still in awe of the incredible people and clients that come our way. I truly have the greatest job... yes days can be long and weekends working can be difficult but the reward is so sweet. There is nothing that brings me more satisfaction than the happiness on my clients' faces!!

Cheers to all our phenomenal colleges who were also nominated and big thanks to those of you whom we work with regularly. There is no "I" in team and sometimes it takes an Army to execute a wedding!

Thank you again to all of you who believe in pursuing your dreams. Mine has just begun and I cannot wait to see where it takes me!!

The Doctors- Post Graduation Part 2

Where were we... oh yes, Bar Louie!

With some food in the tummy and some drinks to toast we finished the rounds at Bar Louie and headed to Barton Hills Country Club for a fabulous dinner treated by Rick and Ron.

Here are the Doctors' :)


This isn't a great picture of the parents of the graduates but I didn't have any others to show! Good thing it is very expressive!


What a great watch Christina got from her grandparents :)


After a lovely, lovely dinner we headed to Ricks... Without posting any pictures that could be incriminating or just inappropriate I will take it upon myself to narrate a little paragraph for you about the evening...



Linds, Katie, Erin, Christina and myself on the dance floor!


It was Katie's 25th birthday and she received a fabulous gift that everyone at the bar wanted to use! The joys of graduation filled the room and commradery was abundant. From shark bowl races to dancing queens the night was full of celebration... then we went to Pancheros. The end!

The Doctors- Post Graduation Part 1

Like I said, we had a lovely time at the UM Dental Graduation and an even more thrilling time at the after party(s). With the new doctors leading the way the Wurtzel's, Hatch's, Mazzola's, Dreves' and the rest of us one-namers, headed to Bar Louie near campus for some cocktails before cocktails at dinner! (I told you... merrymen!)

Doctor Sandwich!


Carrie, Matt and Doctor!



Aron, Scott & Andrew- they came to help celebrate like I did!


Tina (not sure what she is looking at since she had two cocktails), Megan and Ryan (who will be Doctor next year)!


Nick and Lindsey- the soon-to-be-newlyweds!


Thanks to Ron and Perla for the drinks and yummy pretzel sticks and nachos! It was the perfect way to start the evening... now off to Barton!

The Doctors

Last weekend I had the pleasure of watching three very dear people to my heart receive their Doctorate Degrees... yep, the Doctors. No I am not talking about the stupid show on before Dr. Phil and Oprah, I'm talking about the University of Michigan Dental School Graduation. Perhaps a new "Hail" rendition should go something like this, "Hail to the Doctors Valiant, Hail to the Comp Care Classes, Hail, Hail to Michigan the Cleaners of Best! Hail to the Dentists Valiant, Hail to the Mountain Dont's oh Hail, Hail to Michigan they are heading West!"

It's with pride that I introduce Dr. Christopher Mazzola and Dr. Christina Mazzola...


And what an honor to have Dr. Don Wurtzel hood Dr. Lindsey Wurtzel!


The graduation took place in Hill Auditorium on campus after it's beautiful restoration and the Class President was phenomenal- what a great speech!


Way to go Chris, Christina and Lindsey- we are all so proud of you and your accomplishments! Also congrats to Christian, Roa, Salam and Piper!! Does this mean I get dental school pricing for life?!?! Stay tuned for a post graduation update... we started with sophistication and ended like a band of merrymen!