Mom's the Word

It's Mother's Day and I'm going with the obvious and cliche Mothers Day post- my mom!  My mom is great.  She has taught me a lot of important things so here are some of the top lessons:

1. Lying gets you nowhere.  It's true.  Even after she told me this, I tested the theory for myself...and, well, she's right.  It doesn't.

2. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed.  This has been the answer to many a question "What do you think I should wear?"  I find myself repeating this to myself and friends on a fairly regular basis.

3. Don't walk around the house when brushing your teeth.  Sometimes I get bored standing in front of the sink or feel the need to multi-task which usually results in me racing back to the bathroom before the toothpaste drips onto my shirt, a battle I generally lose. Maybe this isn't a rule as much an annoyance to my mom, so everytime I get the urge to step out of the bathroom with toothbrush in hand, I hear my mom's voice in my head.

4.  We have food at home.  For as long as I can remember, whenever I would ask if we could pickup food on the way home or get something frivolous from the grocery store, my mom's response would be "we have food at home."  We had food at home then and I have food at home now.  That answer has stayed with me and saved me from many trips through a drive through.

5. Relationships are hard.  Sure, the good ones will be easy for a good portion of the time, but in my fantasy land, I thought good relationships had to be 100% problem free.  Not true. You will disagree and go through tough times with the person that you love.  Hearing this was a big reality check and helped me put things in perspective.

These are just a few of many, many things that my mom has taught me.  Thanks mom for setting a great example for me!  Happy Mothers Day!

Christmas or Wedding Season?

When asked the question “What do you like better, Christmas or Wedding Season?”, I'm with Mr. Grey: Wedding Season!!  I love weddings- attending them as well as all of the action that takes place between “She said yes” and “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

It's been one year since I last attended this beautiful bride's wedding

Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. H!

And it will be another six months until I'll be celebrating with the next lucky couple.  November will be here before you know it! 

Congratulations Julie and Pete!

Eighteen months without a wedding is the longest stretch I've gone without attending a wedding.  That's eighteen months without seeing the bride's fantastic dress that she's kept secret for so long.  Eighteen months without speculation of whether or not the greeom will cry when he sees his bride for the first time.  (A tear or two is sweet; boohooing at the altar just makes everyone uncomfortable).  And of course, that's eighteen months where I don't get have to purchase a new dress to celebrate in.

I love weddings and everything about them so when given the opportunity to get my wedding fix amidst a matrimonial drought, of course I'm going to take it.  Even if that means attending a wedding I wasn't invited to!



View from the "balcony"



Saturday was a really nice day and after checking out the water spilling over Norris Dam and having a picnic, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time to see my friend Amanda's uncle get married (purely coincidental ;)).  I was able to grab a subtle seat on a nearby park bench and observe the festivities from a distance.  Like most, there was a lot of anticipation leading up to this wedding and thankfully it did not disappoint.  Some of the highlights include:

• Stressed out bride throws her hands in the air working out last minute aisle logistics;
• Officiant inserts humor into the service; some appropriate, some not;
• Token bridesmaid cries through the ceremony; and,
• Excited bride touts her new status of wife following the final kiss.  This bride squeals "I'm married" seemingly for the benefit of anyone who dozed off or forgot the purpose for being at the ceremony.

All in all it was a perfect day for a wedding.  Even though I didn't get dressed up, boldly attempt to blend into a crowd of strangers, or brazenly take a seat at a table which I was not invited to, I think this counts as wedding crashing.  But even if it doesn't, it is a far more exciting way to tell the story!

 

Me and the bride