The Guide

ON THE COVER

Catherine & Jacob

Catherine and Jacob both grew up in Columbiana but didn’t meet until years later when they were both students at Auburn University.

Photo by Susan Weathington Design by Kate Sullivan Green

HHalf a decade ago I remember sitting on a fence about the inevitable “ring by spring” epidemic that seemed to plague the female senior population on campus. In the spring semester of my freshman year, I recall perusing through corridors, embarking to classes and dodging girls flashing the rocks on their fingers. Then, I would’ve said girls should focus on their education and avoid the so-called “MRS” degree that skeptics such as myself would joke about being one attainment so many seem to pursue. Admittedly, I am now only five years wiser and humbled to say I so enjoy being engaged because I found my “Mr. Right.” I look back at freshman me, whose face resembled that of a pepperoni pizza and whose stress level required four mugs of joe a day, and laugh, thinking if only she knew that she, too, would fall in love at a young age. One of my best friends Beth and I were invited to lunch by my cousin,

Bobby, while we all happened to be in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We met up with Bobby and unknowingly to us several of his fraternity brothers.

I sat right next to my “Mr. Right” himself, who looked completely uninterested that two Hippie Sabotage enthusiasts were helping themselves to the table’s shared cornucopia of breadsticks. Hours soon faded as the sun retreated, and Justin, my now fiancé and father of my son, and I became inseparable. We played tic-tac-toe in the sand, drawing janky lines with our toes and trying to out-wit the other. Unfortunately, tic-tac-toe takes all of 30 seconds to play, so there’s not much room to one-up your opponent. Our conversation soon turned to politics, music tastes, our lives’ ambitions and how we each were going to make our mark in the world. The rest, as the cliché goes, is history. Now just a few short months out from our tying the knot, I can’t help but smile at the younger version of myself, who was utterly disgusted by the idea of being entrapped by love. My message for you, readers, is that life often tricks you into thinking you’re in control. I believe in a greater power who has a sense of humor—one that involves the best plans for us. To the young and hopeful reading my letter, I pray for you to find your “Mr. or Mrs.

Right,” but just know that he or she may meet you when you least expect it. But, isn’t that the beauty of falling in love? Adventure is the path of which love blooms between two aspiring souls. To that I say, love on.

Warmly,

THE GUIDE

COLUMBIANA COWBOY DAY

FEB. 25 Old Mill Square Park and Main Street

A tradition dating back to 2008, Columbiana Cowboy Day is back again this year, featuring live music, line dancing and all things cowboy—a wild west shootout and a lasso demonstration at high noon! Attendees can also enjoy a chili cook-off, a corn hole tournament and local vendors’ wares. Organizers will be accepting vendor applications through January 27, 2023. Those interested in being a vendor must complete the registration forms and mail them with their vendor fee to City of Columbiana, 107 Mildred Street, Columbiana, AL 35051.