Forever After Wedding

September 2020

Kelley Moses, my Love, would you marry me Derecko Burton?

Factors that can Affect long Engagements Wedding flowers f lowers Becoming larger larger Than life

Reasons for Engagement Photo album

you're engaged!

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The journey of love marriage family

Factors that can affect the length of your engagement

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ach year, millions of couples around the world tie the knot. But before couples walk down the aisle, the proposal to get married must take place.

There is no perfect answer, and engagement length typically depends on personal preference and the needs of the couple.

A number of factors affect the length of a couple’s engagement, and couples should not feel as if they need to hurry down the aisle. For example, couples who will be financing their own weddings may need a longer engagement than those whose parents will be chipping in. Others may prefer a shorter engagement if they are financially stable and prepared to tie the knot.

Couples in their late 30s may feel the tug of a biological clock and want to ensure there is ample time to get married and have children. A shorter engagement can facilitate that.

Five great reasons to take engagement photos 1.

Engagement photo shoots give couples a chance to connect with their photographers. Spending time with the photographer gives the couple an opportunity to develop a rapport with their photographer. If couples and their photographer don’t click, it gives couples a chance to find someone else to take their photos.

Some couples may have little choice in the matter, as the length of their engagements may be dictated by the availability of their favorite venues.

Military deployment, work commitments, medical issues, or travel responsibilities also may affect the length of an engagement.

Couples generally are advised to stick with what feels right to them regarding the length of their engagements

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An engagement photo shoot gives couples time to spend together. An engagement photo shoot is an ideal time to spend an afternoon in a special location focusing on each other without wedding planning An engagement shoot also can be a great time for couples to speak with their photographers about angles or styles they prefer or dislike.

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The bride and groom have save-the-date or social media photos. Engagement photographs can be used for save-the-date cards or social media postings (check with the photographer for licensing agreements).

Engagement photography gives couples plenty of opportunities to experiment with different locales, which may not be possible come the wedding day.

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Kelley Moses: Love finds local banker

B y J o y c e l y n e F a doj u t i m i

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elley Moses knows the pain of loss. After her husband of ten years died, she embarked on widowhood bravely, but never lost hope of finding love again. It found her when she met Magnolia, Arkansas native Derecko Burton.

"Derecko came into my life and gave me hope again," she says. "He is everything I had prayed for. We dated for almost two years before he proposed - Christmas of 2019."

Kelley’s parents have been married for forty-six years and remain a major fixture in her life. Kelley has one sister, Sharla Stansell.

They come from a very tight knit family. For this reason, they call each other including their parents almost every day. Their loving and doting parents gave them righteous nuggets of wisdom for their journey on this side of the planet. For example, they taught the sisters not to bend with contrary winds and subtle societal pressures rather to stand steadfast and stable with Godly convictions.

By the same token, they must continuously strive to be virtuous leaders and constructive

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influencers on those around them especially with the winds of change.

Additionally, family love is imperative for Kelley’s family. To this end, they have a tradition of getting together every quarter.

According to Kelley, this gives them “a chance to catch up and not let months or years go by before we see on another.”

It is important to note, faith in Jesus Christ is foundational and paramount in Kelley’s family of origin. Hence, their Christian faith is key.

"We are a praying family. We were taught that the Lord God love us. We can do all things through Christ who supports us,” says Kelley. “We therefore learned not to say, or act, ‘Woe is me.’ Rather, we believe in our Lord God and have great confidence in what He, the Lord of all the heavens and earth can do through us. It is in knowing this, that we rejoice in even in the face of life’s disappoints and hardships.

So, through it all, we strive to remain cheerful. And, sometimes, it is okay to be your own cheerleader!”

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Kelley Moses and De attend Longview Se recko Burton squicentennial Ball ip file photo

Derecko Burton and Kelley Moses

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"Derecko came into my life and gave me hope again. He is everything I had prayed for. We dated for almost two years before he proposed on Christmas of 2019." – Kelley Moses

Derecko Burton and Kelley Moses

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This philosophy served Kelley well as she pulled down a Bachelor of Science in network and communication management from DeVry University. She is currently in her fourteenth year working for Southside State Bank.

Her current title is assistant vicepresident, branch manager. She began her banking career in 2004 at Regions Bank.

"Although this is not what I had a degree in, it became my passion, and I've enjoyed it ever since," she says. "I have great customers."

Her initial job was as a float teller. She was soon floating into new accounts and the safety deposit box area. Kelley quickly realized banking is the perfect career for her and she has never looked back. She plans to retire as a banker. She acutely learned everything about her new calling as quickly as possible. After getting hired at First Bank and Trust East Texas in 2007, she worked herself up to supervisor. In 2017, Southside Bank acquired First Bank, and she has been branch manager since.

For her, a typical day is providing her customers with a broad spectrum of banking services. She handles transactions

in their checking and savings accounts, Certificates of Deposits, IRAs, safety deposit boxes, and consumer loans. The inevitable trials and challenges she faces just bounce off this faithful child of God as she falls back on her faith.

"The Serenity Prayer is my favorite," she says. "Sometimes I just take moments throughout the day and say, 'Lord, I thank you!'"

Her job has given her an avenue to community involvement, and she takes it very seriously. She and her fellow managers teach financial literacy classes at local schools. She realizes this is a promising way to ensure today's youth will have financially secure, philanthropic, and joyful lives. But that is not all. Her selfless service does not stop here, either. She is very involved in the community.

As a matter of fact, along with other Southside employees, Kelley volunteers for the Longview Rodeo and the Great Texas Balloon Race. There is more. She serves on the review board for the Gregg County Appraisal District, Advisory Board for the Salvation Army, and is an advocate for Court-Appointed Special Advocates

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Wedding flowers becoming larger

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than life

ove over bouquets and centerpieces. Flowers are taking over weddings in a big way. While wedding trends come and go, flowers will always have a place at the wedding table. Many modern couples are opting for statement pieces with their flowers to rival the big and bold ideas they’re incorporating elsewhere into their occasions, such as in cakes and clothing.

Floral chandeliers Derecko Burton and Kelley Moses (CASA.) Ms. Moses is using her leadership skills serving Longview.

"I just graduated from the Leadership Longview Class of 2020. I'm also a stewardess at my church," she says. "Giving back to my community is something I love doing."

Correspondingly, her civic service is just one of her loves. The new man in her life is her present, loving fixation. Her limitless capacity for love shows through in her passion for her fiancé.

"Derecko came into my life when I wasn't at my best emotionally, and he gave me hope again," she says. "Not only did he bring happiness into my life, but my son's as well."

Just by being there for her, this new romantic interest constantly reminds her how right she was to never give up hope on love. She is engaged to her best friend, and their love for each other is total and unconditional. They are

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also very much alike.

"Derecko is a very caring and giving man," she says. "He takes great care of anyone he loves."

Their shared devotion to the Holy Spirit cannot be missed as they pray together and are ideal Christian leaders to their soonto-be-blended family with four kiddoes.

Their wedding is scheduled for January, but because of the persistent COVID-19 pandemic it may have to be a small affair.

Although the epidemic just will not seem to go away, there is no way to foresee what developments may take place between now and January. Kelley's and Derecko's love, though, is here to stay, and they do not think it is a one-time thing.

"One thing I can say is for those who think they will never find love again, it is possible," she says. "Everything is in God's timing. Blessings come with patience."

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There’s no need to worry about seeing over table centerpieces or flowers getting in the way of photo moments. Florists can hang flowers from beams over tabletops to increase visual impact, whether as individual baskets, single stems, or floral swags. Think about a large installation that forces guests to look up into a sea of greenery and flowers. The smell and the sight can be breathtaking.

Welcome wreaths

Why should wreaths only be reserved for front doors and holiday decor? A welcome floral wreath can be placed by the entryway to a chapel or reception hall with a heartfelt sentiment that shows guests how much they’re appreciated.

Fairy-tale flowers

A floral curtain of hanging flowers can line a chuppah or drape the altar in beautiful blooms.

Couples who would like a fairy-tale entrance also can make their debut as a couple by coming through a flower curtain at the reception.

Dance floor blooms

Who says flowers have to be overhead or on a table? With a plexiglass dance floor, or one made from some other transparent material, flowers can be underfoot, creating a magical floral carpet. Floral necklaces Brides needn’t carry their bouquets, they can wear ethereal and whimsical floral pieces around their necks or on their waists instead. Couples are urged to speak with their florists about the innovative ways they can make flowers an even more awe-inspiring component of their weddings.

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Congratulations Congratulations toto the the 2018 2018 Stars Stars Over Over Longview Longview

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Lori Holyfield Ball Lori Holyfield Ball Crista Black

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Sharon W e p rBradley ovide hygie n e n ecessities to Sharon Bradley yMary o u t hCollier in ou r commu nity to e nsu re dignity th rough self-care.

Mary Collier Carmela Davis

WHAT WE DO OUR WHY Gerrie Forbis Carmela Davis

Carol Manley Gerrie Forbis We provide 74% of children essential at LISD are Dawn Martin hygiene items Carol Manley economically toPamela elementary Mercer-McWilliams disadvantaged in school Dawn Martin our community. children.Mary Morris

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SBN will create a care package of items to be delivered to the LISD Elementary schools for distribution.

The school district counselors coordinate distribution of the care packages.

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Celebrating 18 Years Julie Woods

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

H O WJackie YO U Joyner-Kersey N HELP Celebrating 18C AYears Speaker:

+ M ADoors K E AOpen M OatN11:30 E TA R Y D O N AT I O N a.m. + M A K Eand A Luncheon P R O D U begin C T DatOnoon N AT I O N Ceremony + BECOME A SPONSOR Maude Cobb Activity Center 100 Grand Blvd. • Longview

Thursday, January 11, 2018

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A S T for E• Longview November 1, 2017.

To purchase, + T O O T H B R U S Hcall Longview Regional Complimentary valet parking will be at available.

Medical Center’s Marketing Department 903-553-7400.

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