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Kayla's Only Heart

~ Always learning. Always progressing.

Kayla's Only Heart

Tag Archives: marriage

Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

07 Thursday May 2020

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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book review, books, fictioin, historical fiction, LGBT, love, marriage, reading, Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Last year I fell in love with Taylor Jenkin Reid’s Daisy Jones & the Six immediately after its release, ready to read it again before I turned the last page. Her prior book The Seven Husbands of  Evelyn Hugo did not disappoint either. Following a similar interview style format, the story followed actress Evelyn Hugo over the course of her career and husbands. Reid immersed readers in the Hollywood lifestyle and reminded us appearances do not tell the whole story. Though on some levels I couldn’t relate to Evelyn, I found myself wrapped up in her tension to propel her career and to fulfill her desires for her home life. Success in both posed an impossible challenge. Then despite some unlikable characteristics, Monique finds her own resolve strengthening as she interviews the star. The growth there made a great catalyst for moving forward with a proper foundation, one possibly not found in Evelyn’s history. I adore Taylor Jenkin Reid’s writing style and voice and look forward to reading more, especially Daisy Jones again.

Now

Book Review: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

25 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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Alaska, book review, books, Eowyn Ivey, fairy tale, hope, love, marriage, reading, snow, The Snow Child

Eowyn Ivey’s The Snow Child warms your heart with its realistic grown up fairy tale. Jack and Mabel live in the 1920s where, rather than encountering a wicked witch, they face the Alaskan wilderness in winter as well as the loneliness of yearning for a child. After the first snow, they meet a little girl named Faina. She lives alone in the woods but befriends this sweet couple. Heartrending yet also hopeful, this story invites you to sit by the fireside to enjoy life and love. In the flickers of the fire, you glimpse the raw pain, tenderness, and joy of marriage.

Book Review: Stay with Me

18 Tuesday Sep 2018

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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Ayobami Adebayo, book club, book review, bookish, books, culture, expectations, family, hope, love, marriage, Modern Mrs. Darcy, Stay with Me, understanding

The Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club has read Stay with Me this year, and we have had the pleasure of author Ayobami Adebayo joining us for our discussion. This book packs on weight as it gives readers a glimpse into the depths of another culture. It follows couple Yejide and Akin as they navigate the familial and societal pressures of not having children. As the story progresses, they each experience heartache as they fall under the expectations surrounding them and manipulate what they tell themselves about their fates and flaws.

This novels enlightens readers on the expectations of family that sometimes leads to polygamy in Northern African and Middle Eastern cultures and the weight of those decisions on the wives and husbands involved. It also shows the struggle of Sickle Cell Disease, a common health issue in Nigeria and one that affects the author. The characters give an authentic voice to these issues and remind readers they have more complexity than they appear. Universal themes of heartbreak, family tensions, marriage hopes and health obstacles give a relatability to a seemingly vastly different culture.

The characters, as many of us do in real life, must adjust their expectations of their lives and marriages as well as filter the advice they receive through what they know themselves. Yejide eventually learns that her childlessness actually stems from her husband rather than herself. Yet she didn’t want to believe her husband had flaws, especially since he didn’t voice them himself. We see the realization of Akin’s observation early in the book that “even when it’s in a thousand pieces around your feet, that doesn’t mean it’s no longer love.” Their love and lives bend as they experience loss and setback, but they still maintain a certain hope.

I really appreciate this book. The characters demonstrate a lot of depth, and their situations enlightened me to more human experiences. Adebayo clearly writes about Nigeria and Sickle Cell Disease with authority, and she shares her knowledge and wisdom so we can gain a greater understanding of those topics. It gives me more insight into the background of some of the students I teach. I recommend this book as a good story as well as a tool for learning.

What What What Wedding

27 Sunday Oct 2013

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Journal, Photography

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brother, clothes, family, flowers, Kansas City, maid of honor, marriage, mother, party, photography, slumber party, wedding, wedding reception

As of last weekend, my mom and step-dad are married! I have a few photos I managed to snap throughout the course of the events.

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My mom and I looked snazzy in our sweaters at the meet the families gathering she hosted.

My mom and I looked snazzy in our sweaters at the meet the families gathering she hosted.

My brother and I had our own little slumber party the night before the wedding. Coincidentally, we matched in our blue v-necks.

My brother and I had our own little slumber party the night before the wedding. Coincidentally, we matched in our blue v-necks.

Then the next day we dressed up to be maid of honor and best man at the ceremony.

Then the next day we dressed up to be maid of honor and best man at the ceremony.

I was quadruple fisting by the end of the reception. I might be able to have one cup per time someone referred to my brother as my date too.

I was quadruple fisting by the end of the reception. I might be able to have one cup per time someone referred to my brother as my date too.

The bride and groom fed each other the cake very cleanly.

The bride and groom fed each other the cake very cleanly.

I got one last picture with the beautiful bride before she departed on her honeymoon with her sweetie.

I got one last picture with the beautiful bride before she departed on her honeymoon with her sweetie.

I got to bring home my beautiful bouquet to enjoy the rest of the week as I recalled all the new memories.

I got to bring home my beautiful bouquet to enjoy the rest of the week as I recalled all the new memories.

Thus begins my fall of holiday and fun festivities. I got to be the maid of honor at my mom’s wedding right after my cousin requested I be a bridesmaid at her wedding when she announced her engagement to me recently. I love all the wedding bliss surrounding me!

My next exciting event is the Justin Timberlake concert with my honey in just over three weeks!

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You can't make advances if you don't take chances. These posts share my perspectives of my journey as I step forward, walking in the Light.

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  • Starlit Darkness 
              As it felt like I continued to fall deeper into darkness, I reminded myself to keep dreaming positively. My stars matched my pajamas to encourage my sleeping dreams as well.  The following weekend I ventured out with my friends to attend a Taking Back Sunday and The Used concert. Surrounding […]
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  • Falling
          These plain manicures go back to the fall. The season marked a time of change and a new look at my world. Perhaps the perspective in what I held in my hands stole some of the focus and expression I would normally have for my nail art.  I went from a bold […]
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  • Plain Sparkles
    After the Top Shelf plain manicure, I had another plain one with some sparkles added. I just didn’t feel spirited enough to enjoy my me time. I still made myself go through the motions though. I might not have been applying makeup regularly, but I kept my nails polished. The little touches kept me from […]
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