I was over the moon thrilled when HUM’s Kris Sharrar invited me to join  Deb Poquette and Valarie Wideman to help plan the Christmas meal. The dangling carrot for me? I would get to invite my NACE friends to join me . . . and I know that when I get those guys involved, beautiful things result.

I’m humbled. Truly humbled. Just look and see for yourself. And if you’re at all inclined and want a partner to visit HUM with you . . . just call my name:)

It was all about the guys at HUM, the way it should be . . . but please indulge me while I brag on those generous friends that donated their time and resources . ..

Baltimore’s award winning 2011 Philanthropist of the Year top chef, Jerry Edwards, and his team from  Chef’s Expressions cooked for two days alongside HUM’s Richard Sullivan and his team. Chef’s Expressions brought along complete table settings for 400+ meals, cause that’s how they roll. Coupled with gorgeous linens complements of Tony Barbar at Let’s Do Linens and floral decor by Eddie Wingrat at Flowers and Fancies, the HUM dining room was transformed. See that family ready to serve? They’re mine.

After  full week of event after event, Chef’s Expression’s Chef John wore that smile all night long.

Little Miss Lily Freundel wore her smile all night as well, handing out candy favors provided by Staci Summers, former owner of Haute Cocoa.

My girl Staci Summers.

Our guy, Brian Roberts, the evening’s host and  HUM regular . . . well, he’s the real deal. There to encourage the guys, and, WOW, his message on that night? so powerful. really so powerful.

NACE rockstar servers, Vicki Preston of Entertainment Exchange, Elizabeth Bailey of EB Weddings, The Skippers of Black Tie Video . . .

East Hill Video’s Daniel Watson Bey and our adopted brother, Jerome Dorn . . .

The amazing Tori Morse quartet . . .playin’ some Coldplay . . .

Brian and Jerome:)

Chef Reggie Camphor and HUM’s Frankie Moses . . .

Wedding 411 on Demand’s beautiful Karen Buck . . . the pie girl . . . joined  by her dashing husband, Jay . . .

my dad. that’s all I’m gonna say. yep. my dad.

All the fun  Minneapolis has to offer in in a double trouble package. Two Popes Film’s Greg and Jerry Pope. They could draw the story out of a paper plate. and it would be funny. Wanna laugh? Go onto their site and look at their commercials. Promise.

Sarah Hinsche served it up with a smile. The whole Hinsche clan was in on the evening. Tim, superstar photographer got all these shots, and the kids and Sarah worked all night long. Go team Hinsche!

HUM’s Bob Gehman, the man with the biggest heart in the city . . .

powerful. heartfelt. real deal.

Valarie Wideman and Deb Poquette . . . keeping it running smoothly:)

Diana and Brian took time with each man.

Even my little man, Will.   This was the photo op of his dreams:)

HUM’s Kris Sharrar gives the love right back.

Yeah, it was pretty much a big Roberts love fest:) . . . These kids were amazing helpers. The future of my girl, Bmore is in some good hands.

View the entire gallery here.

Thank you to those who donated their time and resources . . .

Vicki Preston, Entertainment Exchange

Ed Shilling

Staci Summer, Haute Coaco

The Carl Freundel family

Jerry and Greg Pope, TwoPopes Film

The Tim Hinsche family, Tim Hinsche photography

Elizabeth Bailey, Elizabeth Bailey Weddings

Victoria Clausen, Romance of Flowers

Eddie Wingrat, Flowers and Fancies

Jerry Edwards, Chef’s Expressions

Tony Barbar, Let’s Do Linens

Bowtie Bob Nelson

Jean Mayer and Emily Villarreal, Boutique Events

Evelyn and Daniel Watson Bey, East Hill Video

Adan Van Bavel

Stephanie Bradshaw, Bradshaw Styling

Whitney Downs and Laur Fosler, Westin Annapolis

Danielle Baird

Johari Barnes

Julie Brown-Edwards

The Jim Skipper Family, Black Tie Video

Karen and Jay Buck, Wedding 411 on Demand

It plays out better than my stack of summer beach reads. They first fell in love as children attending the same youth group in church. She played volleyball and rose to the top of her class and he tore it up on the lax field and camped at the top of his class, as well.  Like many first loves, they went their separate ways off to college. Years later, Ava, the German girl who stayed with Linden as an exchange student, came back to visit and wanted to visit that guy, Daniel.

They reconnected and the spark was still there. Then he learned she was going off to study in Ireland for the semester. He knew if he let her go, some handsome Irishman would realize the jewel that she was and he’d never see her again. So, off Daniel went to Ireland. To pursue the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Or as his brother Aaron punned, to study a broad. His first love, Linden.

It worked. Boy, did it ever work. Because to see Linden and Daniel together is to see what companionship, encouragement, passion and joy look like when they are nurtured and spent freely.

Linden and Daniel had their first look before their ceremony. I love it when my couples are open to making that first connection for their wedding day a private moment. It’s real.

Daniel’s father officiated the ceremony, and as part of the ceremony all of the guests were invited to stand up and speak words of affirmation and encouragement over Linden and Daniel. It was probably the most heartfelt and honest wedding ceremony I’ve ever witnessed.

The atrium room in the stunning  Gramercy Mansion played host to the foodie’s dream . . . a fully sustainable menu artfully presented by Jerry Edward’s Chef’s Expressions. And the floral design by Sidra Forman featured locally grown, seasonal herbs and flowers and was breathtaking.

The relationship between Daniel and his brother Aaron was the kind that a momma like me prays daily for her own brood. So real. So true.

Linden, you are fierce. Have I told you that yet today??

Linden and Daniel, thank you so much for inviting me into your lives. It would be so cool to be down there in Chapel Hill, NC with you both . . . you’d teach me so much about living a sustainable life, enjoying the BEST food and wine, and accepting each day as a gift from God whose gift wrap should be torn off in huge sheets! You’re bliss!

View the entire Thayer gallery right here.

Whip Cheesy is his name. Workin’ the crowd is his game. I was initially grateful to hide behind my lens . . . not wanting to be called up on stage to play “Meal or No Meal,” or NACE Feud, but after the first game, I was ready to make a run for the stage to play. Seriously. Dave Ricklin of The Original Game Show Live hosted NACE’s meeting at in the Raven’s locker room and Club House last night and I laughed the whole night!

And the party begins . . .  Wedding Designer, Victoria Clausen of Romance of Flowers, and Raven’s makeup artist, Jamie Leboe are jerseyed up and ready to go!

Designer Stephanie Bradshaw of Bradshaw Interiors played Vanna for Whip Cheesy in her usual exquisite style . . .  {Here’s my “fight the February blah’s” tip . . . subscribe to Stephanie’s “The Girl About Town” newsletter on her website. . . it’s like a box a Godiva arriving in the inbox each month . . . Steph sent out retro paper dolls for her Christmas card this year . . . custom designed by Baltimore’s edgiest graphic designer, Carla David! }

Cate Buscher of Plan it Perfect Events won big last night . . . charades was her game.

NACE sponsors for the evening . . .

Kathy Freundel, photography

Tonya Davis, Blue Sky Video
Midory Takeda-Ragonese, BBJ Linens
Bill Reeder, Affairs  to Remember – Elegant Balloons
John Paul Berry, Absolute Entertainment
Carly Mistovich, Aramark M & T bank Stadium

Linsey Poletti, Aramark  M & T Bank Stadium

Dave Ricklin, Game Show Live

I spent much of the night thinking . . . wow, this would be such a fun rehearsal dinner activity or bachelor/ bachelorette party activity. Dave Ricklin is such a personality on stage . . . but the best part of Dave is that he’s safe. Everyone was a winner, even when he wasn’t really a winner. Know what I mean? And THAT’S the gift of encouragement and the big heart that Dave wears on his bright yellow jacket:)

I caught up with event planner Anne Berman and Chef’s Expression’s Jerry Edwards in the Raven’s Locker Room. Jerry is excited about hosting wine tours through California this winter. He takes his clients on a vineyard tour . . . how’s that for a good way to escape the Baltimore winter for a shot in the arm?  Jerry is also still hosting his exquisite meals and wine tastings  at Gramercy Mansion . . . your turn to plan date night? check out Jerry’s website for details.

One of many things I love about NACE is her big heart. Last night’s NACE chapter meeting was a benefit for  Art with a Heart, Inc. which  brings the joy and benefit of visual art to those who need it most by providing interactive,hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges.

Visit the gallery of images here!