Birmingham has a lovely botanical garden located just a mile from the hotel. The shuttle dropped me off and I wandered about for three hours. I have not been immersed in flowers since last summer, so this visit was a peaceful, restorative retreat. The garden was more natural, not manicured, and included a variety of different garden types. Unfortunately, the day lilies, iris and rhododendron are not yet in bloom, but I loved the daffodils, camellias and pansies.
The sculpture garden at the entrance to the park.
David and Caleigh's wedding was the first Jewish wedding I have attended and it was deeply moving. I loved the way they incorporated the families into the ceremony and constantly emphasized the importance of love and respect for one another. The bride began by circling the groom seven times to represent the building of their new life together, just as the world was made in seven days. The bridal canopy, or chuppah, was made from Caleigh's grandmother's wedding gown. Throughout the ceremony, the couple and the parents drank wine from a common cup and then at the end, the groom stomped on it and we all shouted mazel tov! It was very beautiful!
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