By Rebekah Yancey

I’m writing this letter on the very day I’m celebrating being married for a year and a half to the best person I know. Maybe it’s the warm, fuzzy feelings I get every year while preparing for this issue of Hartselle Living, or maybe it’s seeing the beautiful photos in our bridal section – or it could have something to do with being so deeply in love with my better half – but I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it with the last breath in my body: I love love.
Love is the best thing about this life, whether it’s the love between a husband and wife or the love I have for my mother and father, my siblings, the family I got when I became a Yancey or the two little babies who will grace this world with their presence this spring when my sister and sister-in-love make me an aunt times two. Cue the water works!  

I think it’s pretty clear at this point why the bridal issue is my favorite of the year. Reading the love stories of newlyweds in our community and seeing the photos of their wedding days brings me so much joy. I hope it does the same for you.  

In addition to the bridal section in this issue, we have filled the rest of its pages with bridal and wedding-themed content for our readers to enjoy.  

In the Arts & Culture section we have a story about Hali Rhea Gurley who, with her mother Stacey, owns South of Main. On the side, she’s a makeup artist and does beautiful hairstyles for nearly 80 brides a year on average. You can read about how she got into the hair and makeup industry on page 15.  

Our Food & Drink contributor Constance Smith brings us fruity and fun cocktails and mocktails for those bridal showers that are so much fun. Check out those recipes on page 21.  

And of course, on pages 31 – 45 we feature the love stories and wedding days of seven local couples who married in 2021. This magazine will be one to keep for sure thanks to all the beautiful photos you can find in this issue.  

Here’s to love, and as always, thanks for reading,