Back!

Hello lovely people!

This is just a quick note to let you know I am back in New York safe & sound with a wedding band on my finger, a handsome husband by my side and a healthy dose of fresh freckles on my face. Life. is. good.

There will (probably) be many posts coming your way in the not too distant future as my scattered, happy brain begins to process both the wedding (best day of my life -- can't stop thinking about it) and honeymoon (best trip of my life -- can't stop thinking about it!!). But right now it is time to settle in, rest up a bit and prepare for my first day of work in three weeks -- eek.

Until then, just to whet your appetite, feel free to peruse our guest flickr page. (and if you were a guest at the wedding w/ photos to share, feel free to upload them :)

xo

!!!!!!!!

So this is my last day of work for the next three (3!) weeks. We head down to Virginia today and will be there for the next week doing wedding prep stuff, errands and what-not before the BIG DAY!!!!!!!

I am so HYPER and EXCITED I literally Can't. Sit. Still.

Can't. Focus. On. ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

I literally have to keep myself from running and/or skipping everywhere (down the hall. to the bathroom. to the copy machine. EVERYWHERE!!) and I am pretty sure I have one of those slightly disturbing, spaced-out perma grins on my face.

Even typing this, I feel like my fingers are going to break the dang keyboard I am so FULL to the brim with energy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHH. Okay. So if I can just calm the heck down and get my ADD brain to focus for a few more minutes, then I can perhaps finish all my tasks and get the heck OUTTA HERE!!!!!!

Sayonara, Day Job!!!

{and I apologize for all of the exclamation points. I am out of control today}

Secrets to a Happy Marriage

This man has put a rose at his wife's bedside every day for the last 60 years of their marriage (article here). Every. Day. 60 years!! And I love that he doesn't think of it as such a remarkable thing, stating that he believes if more couples made selfless gestures to their spouse or loved one, there would be fewer broken relationships.

With the wedding just around the corner, I've been contemplating things like this lately. Keeping romance alive. The secret(s) to a long and happy marriage. And my own grandparent's 56 year marriage. I recently recalled a scene that I witnessed between them a few years ago, the last summer of my nana's life (which I was privileged enough to spend with her and my papa at the beach). They were in their room getting ready for bed, each one helping the other with their nightly routines -- putting in eye drops, applying lotion to their hands and feet, reminding each other which medications to take. As they puttered around their bathroom together, which had started to look more like a drugstore than a bathroom, they laughed and talked, one of them saying to the other, "You didn't know what you were signing up for all those years ago when you married me, did you?!" It was such a touching scene. After so many years together, their love, friendship and senses of humor were still firmly intact. If asked, I am sure they would have agreed with this article's secret formula to a happy and successful marriage: plenty of kisses, cuddles and a few romantic nights out. But they probably would have also added that a shared faith, common interests and a deep friendship were extremely important as well (their typical response when asked this question over the years).

As it turns out, the blogger by which I found this article (who just got married herself last weekend -- congrats!!) is having guest bloggers share their secrets to a happy marriage while she is away on her honeymoon -- an idea that was apparently inspired by this couple (who are indeed an inspiration)! So go take a looksie. And if you have any stories or tips of your own to share with me, feel free to put them in the comments section here!