Photography by Kelly: June 2013

I have known Lura for a long time, meeting her first at church when she was young girl. When she began to look for colleges, I suggested touring my Alma mater. She did with her parents and resulted in graduating with a degree in education from the college. So now, we are fellow alumnae! Go Bears! :)

Lura met Hao (pronounced How) about two years ago. They began dating and in February of this year, he surprised her in New York City with asking the "big" question. He had already met with her parents and got their blessings. He made arrangements with someone to follow them as they walked through Central Park so the big moment could be photographed (oh how I would have loved to been there for that!).

From all of that, I knew their engagement session would be fun. Our first time out, it rained cats and dogs. So, we rescheduled. The evening we met was beautiful! The couple will be married in August. We wish them all the best and many, many years of happily wedded bliss.

Her ring was designed with her grandmother's diamond as the center piece. Stunning!

Yes, the date is written in Chinese! (Aug 10)

Have you ever noticed old buildings in the town where you reside? Growing up in rural NC, there were a lot and some still stand, empty, desolate, forgotten.

Forgotten why? Owners neglect the buildings. Towns seem not to care, about the history, the preservation of the old. People look at old buildings as "eyesores". The history is forgotten. The former splendor of the buildings is forgotten.

One such building will be demolished in the town where I reside tomorrow. It has been empty for as long as I can remember. It was once (built in 1912) a grand, state of the art hotel. It hosted around 20 rooms for weary travelers and school teachers at the local schools. Travelers visited the healing mineral springs nearby. Teachers probably stayed for the school year and returned to their families once the school year concluded.

The hotel, named for the builder, Dodson is said to have had a grand piano that a gentleman from Florida would come and tickle the ivories for travelers. It boasted electricity, running water, it's own sewer system and a wrap around covered porch.

Preservation takes money. Sadly far too any people feel it is better to destroy rather than save. Can you imagine with me for a moment? Imagine if the owner had seen the beauty in the building, the details that Mr. Dodson put into the building. Imagine the building being used for a visitor center to the town, the county, the area around. Imagine wedding receptions being held there, with a baby grand playing beautiful music. Imagine being able to have a cup of coffee or glass of good southern sweet tea at a small table on the wrap around porch in a quaint bed and breakfast.

Now imagine all the people who stayed there over night, for days, weeks, months. The conversations, the laughter and perhaps tears. Do you wonder what they talked about? Do you think they would rather have seen the building be preserved? Now imagine that money is no object. Can you picture what I do? A place to gather with friends and families?

Imagining is not enough now. The building will be torn down, along with all the memories and history. It is shame, as the building is only 100 years old. Buildings much older than this one still stand. "What if" is too late now.