Cotton Ball 2013

On Saturday, we celebrated the 2013 King and Queen of Cotton at the annual "Cotton Ball" in my hometown. 

What is the Cotton Ball, you ask? It is a celebration of farming heritage/a debutante of sorts. When you are a senior in highschool, you are asked/sponsored by a farming company to be a Cotton Ball Maid. When you are a senior in college, the maid (from senior year of high school) whose mother is a lifetime member of Junior Auxiliary and whose family has the most extensive family background in farming is crowned the Queen. The King is an older man with an extensive farming family background. 

It is basically a glorified wedding and reception that celebrates the most important aspect of our tiny little town, the farmers. God bless each and every one of those men. And a special shout out to my sweet Daddy,  my favorite little farmer of all! (Entomologist)

I had not attended the Cotton Ball since my senior year in high school when I was a maid. And this time, we were attending to watch my little sister, Eleanor, participate as a maid. This is crazy my friends... being that she is 10 years younger than me, this day came way too fast. She was absolutely beautiful and so were all of the other maids. It was so funny to see the difference in the dresses worn compared to the ones that we wore ten years ago.

I loved every second of it, especially since "U.S." was the band to continue the ball into the wee hours of the morning. If you have never heard of the band U.S., they are an 80's cover band who were a major part of my high school and college years. They were the first band I ever watched in the middle of a field at one of my very first parties... The first band I ever saw while on Spring Break in Destin at The Swamp (they still play there during Spring Break p.s.) and one of the funnest bands we went to Rick's to see every time they came to Starkville, while I was in college. There's no telling how many drum sticks and guitar picks we've collected over the years... or how many kick lines we've participated in to "Come on Eileen." 

Needless to say, they are getting on up there in age, but they were still a great time and had everyone dancing. As Kendol said and I quote "I can't believe your parents are out here dancing to Metallica." 

1) Eleanor and her precious boyfriend Justin
2) Kendol and I
3) Sisters
4) Kendol and my Daddy takinga little dance break

Eleanor and Daddy participating in the first dance!

Eleanor's best friends.
The "Elite Eight" as they refer to themselves.

Tiffany and Elise

Tiffany and Kalley

3 of my most favorite men!

**I have not had a chance to upload the pictures from actual camera or dig out pictures from my Cotton Ball. Post to come with those later, I am sure of it!