Big Planning Lesson #1

So I am trying to manage wedding planning without making myself crazy.  And as life would have it, I keep getting tested to see whether I can really stay sane while planning a wedding.

Last week one of my closest friends let me know that for personal reasons he could no longer be an usher in the wedding.  And my first reaction, I am sad to say was to be very very angry and hurt.

Ryan was awesome about it (called me and told me he was taking me out to dinner to cheer me up), and my mom functioned as personal therapist extraordinaire once again.  (I really don't think I could plan this wedding without her expert therapizing.)

And basically what she reminded me of was: While it is totally acceptable to be hurt and angry and frustrated (yay validation!) just because someone could not be present at the wedding didn't mean they didn't love me.  Case in point: my older brother will very likely not be able to attend the wedding (thanks Army, for sending him back to Iraq... boo).  But I am not angry at him for choosing to be in the military!  So I can accept the love of my friend, even though he does not think he will be able to be in or at the wedding.

the family except Dad last Christmas: me, Ryan, Mama, Mike, Mary (MOH), and Katie (bridesmaid)

So Big Planning Lesson #1: Just because my wedding day is important to me (and I want to share it with the people I love most in life!) doesn't mean that it's a good time for everyone else.  And that doesn't take away from the love I have all around me!

(In light of this, I did call and apologize to my friend, and tell him that I loved him at the wedding, or at home!  So for now, there is peace again in friendship land.)

Losing Focus

Two things:

First, I did FOUR pushups yesterday... Yes, I am that weak, as it turns out.  But now my arms hurt today!  That is so sad!!  And I thought y'all should know.

Second, I was watching some random wedding show last night when I couldn't sleep, and I actually loved something they had to say.  It was along the lines of:

"When you are planning a wedding, you lose focus of the purpose because it takes so much out of you.  But when you try on your dress, it brings you back to the vulnerable woman you are, and you remember why you're getting married."

Am I the only person who thinks this is really sweet?  And really true?

(Sorry, I have no idea who said it.)

Reason #572 to Marry Ryan

When I got home on Thursday night (late, class got out at 9:30) these beauties were next to the bed with a note:

"I'm so proud of you and all that you have become... I can't wait to stand next to you for the rest of my life and watch your dreams come true."

I had just finished my last final plus presentation for grad school- and I was beyond exhausted.  But I was thrilled because I can finally join the world of the living!!  This was a perfect and completely unexpected way to start celebrating.  Makes me pause and feel pretty freakin thankful.