*
Thanks for the best year ever, DB. xo.
Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Happy Friday!
It's a bit dreary & ugly out there today. But it's okay -- it's FRIDAY! This makes me very happy for a number of reasons (the most obvious being that it is the start of the weekend & OH how I love weekends!). But also because:
~I had today off (new work schedule)(YAY) and therefore was able to accomplish quite a bit of art related tasks. Like new Etsy activity! I've just listed these very fun, super city-chic bracelets. Carry a little piece of New York magic around with you everyday :)
~today is our six month anniversary! I can't believe its been six months already! My how times flies. Feels like our wedding was just last week in some ways. Sigh, what an incredible day that was :) We are going out to dinner at Greenwich Village's Bobo to celebrate. Yay!
Have a lovely weekend.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wedding Thoughts - Part 5 {the reception}
While our guests were cocktail-houring up on the terrace (photos can be seen here), Dan and I stole away for a private photo shoot. It was nice to have some alone time to enjoy our first few minutes of married life together. Some of my favorite shots from that:
We had a few more moments alone together as we waited up on the terrace to be announced. The setting was absolutely breathtaking and I just remember trying to soak it all in, feeling so alive and at peace, as the sounds of our friends and families' laughter filled the air. It was a nice moment.
Finally, it was time for the reception to begin (yay!). We were announced into the tent, which looked spectacular & so magical, had our first dance to Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight, then settled in for the toasts. My dad delivered an absolutely hilarious and touching toast, followed by a few sweet words from my step-dad, George, then toasts from the best man and matron of honor (two people who know how to do funny).
Dinner was a whirlwind of attempting to eat the tasty food while also connecting to and laughing with our dear guests who stopped by our table for a visit (and I loved soaking up all of their lovely comments about the ceremony which, I had to agree, was the best ceremony ever :)
The weather continued to be crisp and Fall-like, and as the sun set behind the Blue Ridge Mountains while we dined, the setting was transformed from beautiful to catch-your-breath gorgeous. (Even these beautiful pictures don't convey how magical it really was).
After dinner we unveiled our big surprise of the evening -- the band!
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a total Beatles nut, and while, admittedly, we initially wondered whether a Beatles tribute band might be a tad over the top for a wedding, we decided to go for it anyway, and were SO GLAD we did! We managed to keep this element hidden from most of our guests and their reactions at the "unveiling" were priceless. The band was unbelievable and we all spent the rest of the night singing our hearts out and dancing up a storm. I've never had so much fun in all my life. I was in heaven! [Live Beatles' music + wedding love + dancing w/ all your favorite people = UTTER, inexplicable JOY].
I could have used another hour or two of music and dancing and laughing with Dan and our guests, but, alas, eventually it was time for the party to end. After all of our goodbyes we made our way down the path towards the getaway car through a sea of sparklers. Magic.
When we reached end of the driveway, I looked back at all the twinkly lights of the sparklers behind us and felt this incredible swell of emotions. It just looked so beautiful, everything all lit up, and I could just feel the outpouring of love coming from everyone, all of these people who meant so much to us. It was one of those electrifying moments in life when you realize that THIS, this is what it's all about. Moments like this. Sigh. It was truly the most amazing day of my life.
{action shot: driving away w/ the wind in our hair. and onto the next adventure -- Hawaii!!}
We had a few more moments alone together as we waited up on the terrace to be announced. The setting was absolutely breathtaking and I just remember trying to soak it all in, feeling so alive and at peace, as the sounds of our friends and families' laughter filled the air. It was a nice moment.
Finally, it was time for the reception to begin (yay!). We were announced into the tent, which looked spectacular & so magical, had our first dance to Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight, then settled in for the toasts. My dad delivered an absolutely hilarious and touching toast, followed by a few sweet words from my step-dad, George, then toasts from the best man and matron of honor (two people who know how to do funny).
Dinner was a whirlwind of attempting to eat the tasty food while also connecting to and laughing with our dear guests who stopped by our table for a visit (and I loved soaking up all of their lovely comments about the ceremony which, I had to agree, was the best ceremony ever :)
The weather continued to be crisp and Fall-like, and as the sun set behind the Blue Ridge Mountains while we dined, the setting was transformed from beautiful to catch-your-breath gorgeous. (Even these beautiful pictures don't convey how magical it really was).
After dinner we unveiled our big surprise of the evening -- the band!
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a total Beatles nut, and while, admittedly, we initially wondered whether a Beatles tribute band might be a tad over the top for a wedding, we decided to go for it anyway, and were SO GLAD we did! We managed to keep this element hidden from most of our guests and their reactions at the "unveiling" were priceless. The band was unbelievable and we all spent the rest of the night singing our hearts out and dancing up a storm. I've never had so much fun in all my life. I was in heaven! [Live Beatles' music + wedding love + dancing w/ all your favorite people = UTTER, inexplicable JOY].
I could have used another hour or two of music and dancing and laughing with Dan and our guests, but, alas, eventually it was time for the party to end. After all of our goodbyes we made our way down the path towards the getaway car through a sea of sparklers. Magic.
When we reached end of the driveway, I looked back at all the twinkly lights of the sparklers behind us and felt this incredible swell of emotions. It just looked so beautiful, everything all lit up, and I could just feel the outpouring of love coming from everyone, all of these people who meant so much to us. It was one of those electrifying moments in life when you realize that THIS, this is what it's all about. Moments like this. Sigh. It was truly the most amazing day of my life.
{action shot: driving away w/ the wind in our hair. and onto the next adventure -- Hawaii!!}
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wedding Thoughts - Part 4 {ceremony, con't...}
After my brother David delivered his wedding charge, which as I mentioned before was so beautiful and touching, it was time for Erin's special music and our private time of prayer. She wowed everyone with an incredible rendition of Paul McCartney's Maybe I'm Amazed (one of my all-time favorite love songs) and Dan had me in tears as he held my hand tightly and whispered heartfelt prayers.
And then it was time for the vows -- probably my favorite moment of the entire ceremony. We chose to write and recite personal vows to one another and then exchange traditional vows following that. His words to me were so beautiful and sweet, it was a serious struggle to keep it together. We decided to memorize them, which I am glad for because we were able to look each other in the eye, which made it feel more genuine (it was also helpful on the honeymoon when I requested to hear those beautiful vows again. Which I did. A lot. And still do :)
A snippet of Dan's vows (edited):
In all my life I didn't think that what we have was possible. You came into my life and single-handedly made me very optimistic about the future ... I come here today in complete confidence of our relationship and our future ... Your heart and your kindness are what first drew me to you, but I will love you for all of my days for no other reason than because you are you.
And a snippet of mine (edited):
You make me happier than I have ever been in my entire life. Since being with you there has been this peace and joy and fullness in me that was never there before ... I promise to love you deeply for the rest of my life, to laugh with you, to care for you, to stand by you, to travel the world with you and live life to the fullest with you ... You are truly the love of my life and I thank God every day that He brought you to me.
I was so full to the brim with excitement & emotion, and SO relieved that the 'public speaking' portion of the ceremony was over with, I could hardly keep still for the rest of the ceremony (as evidenced by my giddy, ants-in-the-pants moves caught on video and in pictures).
After the traditional vows and the exchanging of the rings it was the moment we'd been waaaaiting for: the pronouncement and kiss...
And then just like that...husband and wife!
{up next: the reception! thanks for sticking with me on these recaps. don't know how interesting they are for the rest of the world, but i've found it incredibly rewarding to look back on all of these moments and process them through writing. so thanks for indulging me whilst I process :)}
And then it was time for the vows -- probably my favorite moment of the entire ceremony. We chose to write and recite personal vows to one another and then exchange traditional vows following that. His words to me were so beautiful and sweet, it was a serious struggle to keep it together. We decided to memorize them, which I am glad for because we were able to look each other in the eye, which made it feel more genuine (it was also helpful on the honeymoon when I requested to hear those beautiful vows again. Which I did. A lot. And still do :)
A snippet of Dan's vows (edited):
In all my life I didn't think that what we have was possible. You came into my life and single-handedly made me very optimistic about the future ... I come here today in complete confidence of our relationship and our future ... Your heart and your kindness are what first drew me to you, but I will love you for all of my days for no other reason than because you are you.
And a snippet of mine (edited):
You make me happier than I have ever been in my entire life. Since being with you there has been this peace and joy and fullness in me that was never there before ... I promise to love you deeply for the rest of my life, to laugh with you, to care for you, to stand by you, to travel the world with you and live life to the fullest with you ... You are truly the love of my life and I thank God every day that He brought you to me.
I was so full to the brim with excitement & emotion, and SO relieved that the 'public speaking' portion of the ceremony was over with, I could hardly keep still for the rest of the ceremony (as evidenced by my giddy, ants-in-the-pants moves caught on video and in pictures).
After the traditional vows and the exchanging of the rings it was the moment we'd been waaaaiting for: the pronouncement and kiss...
And then just like that...husband and wife!
{up next: the reception! thanks for sticking with me on these recaps. don't know how interesting they are for the rest of the world, but i've found it incredibly rewarding to look back on all of these moments and process them through writing. so thanks for indulging me whilst I process :)}
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wedding Thoughts - Part 3 {ceremony - the readings}
Choosing the readings proved to be a difficult task. We spent months googling and flipping through our books, trying to find the perfect excerpts to reflect *us* and capture the mood/tone of what we wanted. All along we knew we wanted one scripture reading and one literary reading, but I was very set on venturing outside the box and away from the typical wedding/love readings. Here is what we ended up with:
Song of Songs 2:10-13, 8:6-7 read by the lovely Melissa:
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away;
for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love all the wealth of his house,
it would be utterly scorned.
I love that first part: for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come... because it is so fitting for us. I speak for us both when I say that there were some dark and rainy days, relationship-wise, prior to meeting one another. And now finally, thankyouJesus, winter truly has passed so let the singing begin!!
The second reading was an excerpt from Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz, a book that is incredibly special to us, and there was no one more perfect to read it at the ceremony than my New York roommate Cynthia (the story & meaning behind Blue Like Jazz coming soon!):
I will love you, as sure as He loved me. I will discover what I can discover and though you remain a mystery, save God’s own knowledge, what I disclose of you I will keep in the warmest chamber of my heart, the very chamber where God has stowed Himself in me. And I will do this to my death, and to death it may bring me.
I will love you like God, because of God, mighted by the power of God. I will stop expecting your love, demanding your love, trading for your love, gaming for your love. I will simply love. I am giving myself to you, and tomorrow I will do it again. I suppose the clock itself will wear thin its time before I am ended at this altar of dying and dying again. God risked Himself on me. I will risk myself on you. And together, we will learn to love, and perhaps then, and only then, understand this gravity that drew Him, unto us.
...to be continued...
Song of Songs 2:10-13, 8:6-7 read by the lovely Melissa:
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away;
for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love all the wealth of his house,
it would be utterly scorned.
I love that first part: for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come... because it is so fitting for us. I speak for us both when I say that there were some dark and rainy days, relationship-wise, prior to meeting one another. And now finally, thankyouJesus, winter truly has passed so let the singing begin!!
The second reading was an excerpt from Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz, a book that is incredibly special to us, and there was no one more perfect to read it at the ceremony than my New York roommate Cynthia (the story & meaning behind Blue Like Jazz coming soon!):
I will love you, as sure as He loved me. I will discover what I can discover and though you remain a mystery, save God’s own knowledge, what I disclose of you I will keep in the warmest chamber of my heart, the very chamber where God has stowed Himself in me. And I will do this to my death, and to death it may bring me.
I will love you like God, because of God, mighted by the power of God. I will stop expecting your love, demanding your love, trading for your love, gaming for your love. I will simply love. I am giving myself to you, and tomorrow I will do it again. I suppose the clock itself will wear thin its time before I am ended at this altar of dying and dying again. God risked Himself on me. I will risk myself on you. And together, we will learn to love, and perhaps then, and only then, understand this gravity that drew Him, unto us.
...to be continued...
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wedding Thoughts - Part 2 {let the ceremony begin...}
I thought I was going to be a hot mess when I saw my dad waiting for me outside, but surprisingly I managed to hold it together. The details of our exchange are a bit fuzzy now (due to my crazy-nerve haze) but I *do* recall nervously jabbering away like a monkey about everything from his spiffy tux to my red shoes and asking a million questions like: are there really people here? ohmygosh, who's here?? wait, did you see the people?
When we got the signal to start walking (we had quite a hike from the house to the arch way and then down the aisle) my dad whispered calming words to me as the nerves welled by the minute [note: I must mention that these nerves ("wedding nerves") are unlike any kind of nerves I've ever expereinced before, such as "audition nerves" or "gig nerves". Wedding nerves are huge, indescribable swells of emotion mixed with intense butterflies, rapid heart rate and the feeling of standing on the edge of something Very Big and Very Good (with just a hint of extreme anxiety because, seriously -- so. many. eyes. on. me! ACK)].
But once we got to the aisle and I saw those eyes -- Dan's beautiful eyes that were absolutely shining with love for me -- everything else just faded away, nerves included. By the time we reached the front, everything just clicked into place and I felt so alive, so full. I was suddenly acutely aware of all of the love surrounding me, not only from Dan, but from my dad on my right side, my mom on my left, my brother in front of me (he was our officiant and delivered the most beautiful, personable weding charge), all of my girls with tears in their eyes. I felt absolutely cocooned in love. And when the ceremony began at last, Dan's eyes shining with tears, my brother's voice breaking with emotion, I felt like I was going to burst with happy tears/love/emotion.
...to be continued...
{I just can't leave out these pics though -- some of my favorites: Dan's nephews trying to catch a glimpse of the bride, and Dan's reaction to his first glimpse of the bride :)}
When we got the signal to start walking (we had quite a hike from the house to the arch way and then down the aisle) my dad whispered calming words to me as the nerves welled by the minute [note: I must mention that these nerves ("wedding nerves") are unlike any kind of nerves I've ever expereinced before, such as "audition nerves" or "gig nerves". Wedding nerves are huge, indescribable swells of emotion mixed with intense butterflies, rapid heart rate and the feeling of standing on the edge of something Very Big and Very Good (with just a hint of extreme anxiety because, seriously -- so. many. eyes. on. me! ACK)].
But once we got to the aisle and I saw those eyes -- Dan's beautiful eyes that were absolutely shining with love for me -- everything else just faded away, nerves included. By the time we reached the front, everything just clicked into place and I felt so alive, so full. I was suddenly acutely aware of all of the love surrounding me, not only from Dan, but from my dad on my right side, my mom on my left, my brother in front of me (he was our officiant and delivered the most beautiful, personable weding charge), all of my girls with tears in their eyes. I felt absolutely cocooned in love. And when the ceremony began at last, Dan's eyes shining with tears, my brother's voice breaking with emotion, I felt like I was going to burst with happy tears/love/emotion.
...to be continued...
{I just can't leave out these pics though -- some of my favorites: Dan's nephews trying to catch a glimpse of the bride, and Dan's reaction to his first glimpse of the bride :)}
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Wedding Thoughts - Part 1 {pre-ceremony}
The day of the wedding I was much calmer than I thought I would be. I got a great night of sleep (surprising since I am not a good sleeper in the midst of excitement & anticipation), and woke up feeling excited, happy and pretty chill. The day started with a relaxing bath, a surprise phone call from a dear friend in South Africa (who couldn't make it to the wedding but wanted to shower me with happy tears and prayers before my big day), and then a quick bite to eat before heading out to get beautified with my girls.
Everything ran smoothly as we jetted to the salon (I could not have been happier with my hair. LOVED it) then back to the house where all of us girls plus my mom managed to get make-up on and ready to go, then out the door and on our way to the site in Middleburg where it was time to get dressed and photographed.
::meanwhile, although the weather looked a bit ominous in the morning, it cleared up and remained steady and cool and Fall-ish throughout the rest of the day. perfect::
The room where we got ready at the site was lovely. So beautiful and cozy. And my girls did such a fabulous job at keeping me laughing and calm and feeling loved. (Oh, so my girls. Let me introduce you :) There were 3 lovely bridesmaids: MOH cousin Lauren, longtime friend Nancy, and sister-in-law Angie; and then my 3 special girls: YWAM friend Melissa (Reader), NYC roomie Cynthia (Reader), and college friend Erin (special music). And of course my mom was there as well, keeping us all laughing and looking more beautiful than I've ever seen her.
We were having so much fun hanging out in the bridal suite and taking pictures outside on the beautiful property that I didn't realize how close we were getting to GO-time! Easy, breezy, and giddy was I in the moments leading up to the ceremony.
It wasn't until I heard the five minute warning that I began to well with nerves and emotion and jitters. There was still too much to DO! I had a laundry list of things I needed to accomplish before walking down the aisle (re-apply deodorant. brush teeth. more perfume. touch-up lipstick. etc. etc.!!), but instead of using the five minutes to do those things, I think I just ran around in confused circles talking a mile minute until I heard those two little words: It's Time.
I am pretty sure my heart just jumped out of my chest right then and there and landed in a little puddle on the floor (not in a bad way, mind you!). Not only had I not completed my list of Things To Do, but I suddenly felt like I hadn't sufficiently processed what was about to happen!! I was about to get m-a-r-r-i-e-d. MARRIED!
::meanwhile, on a different part of the property, the guys were getting ready in their "special room" -- this super cozy, little library...isn't it great?::
...to be continued...
{photos by Kevin Clark}
Everything ran smoothly as we jetted to the salon (I could not have been happier with my hair. LOVED it) then back to the house where all of us girls plus my mom managed to get make-up on and ready to go, then out the door and on our way to the site in Middleburg where it was time to get dressed and photographed.
::meanwhile, although the weather looked a bit ominous in the morning, it cleared up and remained steady and cool and Fall-ish throughout the rest of the day. perfect::
The room where we got ready at the site was lovely. So beautiful and cozy. And my girls did such a fabulous job at keeping me laughing and calm and feeling loved. (Oh, so my girls. Let me introduce you :) There were 3 lovely bridesmaids: MOH cousin Lauren, longtime friend Nancy, and sister-in-law Angie; and then my 3 special girls: YWAM friend Melissa (Reader), NYC roomie Cynthia (Reader), and college friend Erin (special music). And of course my mom was there as well, keeping us all laughing and looking more beautiful than I've ever seen her.
We were having so much fun hanging out in the bridal suite and taking pictures outside on the beautiful property that I didn't realize how close we were getting to GO-time! Easy, breezy, and giddy was I in the moments leading up to the ceremony.
It wasn't until I heard the five minute warning that I began to well with nerves and emotion and jitters. There was still too much to DO! I had a laundry list of things I needed to accomplish before walking down the aisle (re-apply deodorant. brush teeth. more perfume. touch-up lipstick. etc. etc.!!), but instead of using the five minutes to do those things, I think I just ran around in confused circles talking a mile minute until I heard those two little words: It's Time.
I am pretty sure my heart just jumped out of my chest right then and there and landed in a little puddle on the floor (not in a bad way, mind you!). Not only had I not completed my list of Things To Do, but I suddenly felt like I hadn't sufficiently processed what was about to happen!! I was about to get m-a-r-r-i-e-d. MARRIED!
::meanwhile, on a different part of the property, the guys were getting ready in their "special room" -- this super cozy, little library...isn't it great?::
...to be continued...
{photos by Kevin Clark}
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A teaser...
I think one of the reasons I've had trouble writing about the wedding is because I don't even know where to begin. It was just too magical, too amazing, to put into words.
By far the most extraordinary, love-filled, joyous day of my life.
Sigh.
I feel like I am going to cry right now even thinking about it....! Whew. Okay, maybe more words later. For now, just pictures* :)
***
I could hardly contain my excitement as my brother (our officiant!) pronounced us husband and wife. I was one giddy bride...
I love this picture. Oh the anticipation!!
Best. Kiss. EVER.
{to be continued...!}
*btw, we are in love with our photos. Thanks, Kevin!
By far the most extraordinary, love-filled, joyous day of my life.
Sigh.
I feel like I am going to cry right now even thinking about it....! Whew. Okay, maybe more words later. For now, just pictures* :)
***
I could hardly contain my excitement as my brother (our officiant!) pronounced us husband and wife. I was one giddy bride...
I love this picture. Oh the anticipation!!
Best. Kiss. EVER.
{to be continued...!}
*btw, we are in love with our photos. Thanks, Kevin!
Monday, September 28, 2009
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
Friday, September 4, 2009
!!!!!!!!
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}
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The end of an era...
katie & cynthia circa 2006 ~ first roomie outing
I am feeling a range of emotions as I sit here at my desk today. It is a normal kind of day with typical boring-ish busy work here and there, some wedding to-doing, some coffee drinking and some pandora listening (currently playing: The Beatles station. All Beatles. All the time. Bliss). But in the midst of all that, I am acutely aware of the changes that are coming in the next few days. At the end of the week I will be packing up my life on the east side for good, saying goodbye to my roomie of the last 3 years, and moving myself over to the west side.
This is something I have been waiting for -- looonging for -- for months. Ever since Dan moved in across the park, it has become harder and harder to tear myself away from him at the end of a night. Hard to feel like I had one foot in my old east side life, and one foot in my new west side life. Hard to not fully settle into my new "home" which started to feel more like home than my east side place simply because Dan was there.
But now, after packing up boxes over the last week, trying to figure out what is mine and what is hers, that wave of nostalgia has started to rise. I think about how, 3 years ago, when I was living in Jersey and desperate to be in Manhattan, I randomly answered an ad on craigslist, hoping she wasn't crazy, never imagining that I'd find not only an amazing roommate, but a good, good friend who felt more like a sister than a roommate....someone who helped me find my footing in this great big city, who always challenged me to try new things, and who constantly reminded me to believe in myself and dream big. I am convinced that had I not found myself in this particular apartment with this particular roommate, my New York experience would have been WAY different, and probably not nearly as life-changing and fulfilling. After all, would I even know Dan or have gotten to experience acting in an Off-Broadway show if it weren't for her? Probably not (it was her nudges...ahem -- okay, shoves!...that got me to dip my toe into the world of online dating which ultimately led me Dan...and it was her late night
I know it is time to move on to new chapters and new beginnings. Both of us are on the brink of very exciting things. But that doesn't take away the twinges of nostalgia and sadness. After all, it's the end of an era, people!
So while I am a giant ball of excitement right now at the thought of marrying Dan and getting to spend all of my days and nights with him in our lovely home on the Upper West Side, I will savor these next few nights with my roomie, my sister, as we pack up and reminisce and watch episodes of Friends together.
The end of an era, indeed.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
time is a-flyin'...
© Kevin Clark
Remember a few months back when I posted this?
Yeah...umm...somehow FIVE WHOLE MONTHS have managed to fly by since then and now we are here. Down to the wire. ONE MONTH TO GO, PEOPLE!!!!!!
I am having trouble wrapping my head around the HUGE-ness of all of this and mentally preparing for the change that is coming. I mean, how does one mentally prepare for marriage? We've done the pre-marital seminars and counseling sessions, and we've talked at length about our future and expectations and children and lifestyle and where we'd like to live, and etc. etc...And yet I feel like I should be doing MORE! Journaling?? Reading books?? Bombarding my married friends with questions?? Praying more?? (certainly yes)...
I suppose all I can really do (in addition to some of those things, perhaps) is take each day as it comes, do the things I need to do for the wedding, and thank my lucky, lucky stars I have found someone who loves me more than I thought it was possible to be loved, and who I love more than I thought it was possible TO love. And acknowledge the fact that, contrary to what I may have believed back in those dark B.D. (before-Dan) days, God was listening after all :) -- throughout alllll the years, to all of those miiiiiillions of prayers uttered from the various places of my heart (both the dark and light-filled places) -- He heard them all and in the end gave me something better than anything I could have asked for or dreamed up.
This is what I need to focus on. This is what matters. Remembering (with gratitude) this gift I've been given and the path God has carved out for me to get here, trusting that He will continue to lead my steps and carve out new paths -- THAT is how I prepare. OK, well that and perhaps some question-bombardment and preparing-for-marriage-dishing with my girls, which I plan to do this weekend at the beach where we are gathering for a celebratory weekend of fun in the sun!!
YAY for beach vacations, love & marriage, and the ONE-MONTH mark!!! eeek!!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Deep Thoughts
Perhaps inspired by last night's Bachelorette: After the Final Rose (yes, I watched. don't judge me!) or host Chris Harrison's deep and ponderous questions for the broken-hearted rejected bachelors such as: how are you feeling right now? (pause) how about now? (pause) hey, remember that time you left the show broken-hearted and were crying in the limo? (pause) how did you feel about that? I began contemplating our impending nuptials and future together, thus crafting my own deep and ponderous questions. And so a conversation a little something like this followed:
Katie: hey, how are you feeling about the wedding? are you nervous?
Dan: no.
Katie: scared?
Dan: no.
Katie: what about future stuff...like having kids. doesn't that scare you a little?
Dan: no.
Katie: does anything scare you?
Dan: (pause) snakes.
Katie: hey, how are you feeling about the wedding? are you nervous?
Dan: no.
Katie: scared?
Dan: no.
Katie: what about future stuff...like having kids. doesn't that scare you a little?
Dan: no.
Katie: does anything scare you?
Dan: (pause) snakes.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
wedding {un}productivity
{photo credits: Style Me Pretty, Style Me Pretty, Wedding Bee, With This Ring}
It is a dreary Friday afternoon here in NYC, and I am feeling tired and grumpy after a loooong week of rehearsals. So with some free time on my hands at the Day Job, I've decided to turn to something that makes me feel *happy* and *productive* -- wedding blogs! :)
There are so many beautiful and swoon-worthy images and creative DIY ideas out there. Mostly I ooh and ahh and feel inspired, but there is also a tiny twinge of guilt and frustration that comes in, too.
You see, I always imagined that I would be an incredibly hands-on (and creative) bride when it came time to plan my own wedding, coming up with fun and personalized ideas to weave throughout the event -- that's what I'd hoped, anyway. I have a list somewhere of 'creative wedding ideas' that I started long ago, and have added to over the years. But lately I've been feeling like I don't have the time or energy to pour myself into this process the way I envisioned I would.
But then again, I never imagined that I would be planning a wedding in the midst of also participating in a once in a lifetime opportunity, either. I knew going into it that it was going to be a challenge balancing wedding planning AND the show, but I also felt like I couldn't pass up such an opportunity because when else would I have the chance to do something like this? I didn't want to have any regrets.
So while I am thrilled beyond belief to be involved in this production, I must admit it is frustrating balancing two big dreams at the same time (I know, I know...cry me a river. It's a GOOD problem to have! I do recognize that :)
The light at the end of the tunnel is that the show wraps up at the end of June, and then it's GO TIME, people! I am hoping that all of the little creative ideas circling around my head and scribbled on scraps of paper will get the time and attention they deserve, and that we will be able to pull off the creative and unique wedding I've always dreamed of! Afterall, this only happens once, so I want to make the most of it :) And in the meantime, I am lucky enough to have a very involved fiancé who patiently listens to all the ideas that I dream up at work (and comes up with some good ones of his own, too), then attempts to help make them a reality {i.e. some personalized DIY invite ideas are currently in the works!}. So I guess I shouldn't be so hard on myself -- things are certainly moving along, despite the busyness. Come July, however, I will hopefully feel more *freedom* to totally dive in and enjoy the process...here's hoping anyway!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Buy Handmade
Planning a wedding is the perfect opportunity to get creative. Unfortunately, I don't have much free time right now to put my own artistic impulses into action, but I *can* support my people (artists, that is) by turning to them for things like wedding invitations, jewelry, bridal party gifts, etc.
There are some really beautiful things being created out there by the HANDS of REAL PEOPLE! I mean, sure, I'll be the first to admit that sometimes it is just easier and more convenient to head to a mega-store or mall or the internet (thereby eliminating interaction with real people completely) to meet your shopping needs. But isn't it sometimes nice to know the PERSON behind the product? And with something so intimate and special as a wedding, it seems more appropriate to have a name, face and voice on the other side of those things you are investing in rather than some mass-produced look-alike -- real people with stories of their own -- struggles and joys and a REAL LIFE unfolding around them as they make their art. That's much more interesting than an impersonal machine punching out it's millionth version of the same product, right?
Here is a sampling of some of the cool, wedding-related handmade stuff I've found lately:
Designs By Portobello
Inky Livie
Veiled Beauty
Originals Paper Art
And I just found this site that is an entire blog dedicated to fun and different Etsy wedding finds. It is here that I discovered it is possible to REGISTER with Etsy! How cool is that?!
And while I'm throwing links your way, here's one more to check out:
Etsy: The Storque: Handmade Weddings
Of course, this post isn't just for wedding planners -- it has brought up an interesting question for me personally: why don't I support my people and Buy Handmade more often? I want to be more aware of this fact and challenge myself to more often turn to a site like Etsy before heading to a store like Target (and OH, how I love Target!) when it comes to artwork, household items, clothing, etc.
So, this post is just as much a reminder for me as anyone else: let's support Artists -- Buy handmade!
There are some really beautiful things being created out there by the HANDS of REAL PEOPLE! I mean, sure, I'll be the first to admit that sometimes it is just easier and more convenient to head to a mega-store or mall or the internet (thereby eliminating interaction with real people completely) to meet your shopping needs. But isn't it sometimes nice to know the PERSON behind the product? And with something so intimate and special as a wedding, it seems more appropriate to have a name, face and voice on the other side of those things you are investing in rather than some mass-produced look-alike -- real people with stories of their own -- struggles and joys and a REAL LIFE unfolding around them as they make their art. That's much more interesting than an impersonal machine punching out it's millionth version of the same product, right?
Here is a sampling of some of the cool, wedding-related handmade stuff I've found lately:
Designs By Portobello
Inky Livie
Veiled Beauty
Originals Paper Art
And I just found this site that is an entire blog dedicated to fun and different Etsy wedding finds. It is here that I discovered it is possible to REGISTER with Etsy! How cool is that?!
And while I'm throwing links your way, here's one more to check out:
Etsy: The Storque: Handmade Weddings
Of course, this post isn't just for wedding planners -- it has brought up an interesting question for me personally: why don't I support my people and Buy Handmade more often? I want to be more aware of this fact and challenge myself to more often turn to a site like Etsy before heading to a store like Target (and OH, how I love Target!) when it comes to artwork, household items, clothing, etc.
So, this post is just as much a reminder for me as anyone else: let's support Artists -- Buy handmade!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Confessions of a Non-Runner
So in order to get buff and toned and totally wedding-day-ready, Dan and I have decided that some sort of exercise routine needs to be implemented into our daily lives. Living in the city I walk a ton, climb (what feels like) THOUSANDS of stairs a week (thank you 5th floor walk-up) and generally am more active than if I were living in the 'burbs....BUT, that is a far cry from daily work-outs, runs, etc.
Let me start out by telling you a little bit about me and long distance running. I hate it. Really and truly HATE IT. Growing up, I was the girl in gym class ALWAYS at the back of the pack during that dreaded mile-run (that is if I was actually IN school that day -- I definitely recall trying to fake-sick my way out of mile-run day a few times). I was a pretty active kid, too -- sports, dance and even short-distance sprinting, no problem. But long-distance running and me...oil and water, people. My sides would cramp up, my legs would get all itchy and splotchy, my chest would tighten, convincing me that this was it...my time was up...I was going to die.
This "condition" continued well into my college and adult years. I recall one sunny afternoon at Mary Washington College feeling inspired to take a jog through the beautiful, woodsy area near campus. My roommate, a long-distance runner and star of the track team, told me she knew of the perfect trail for a beginner like me, and proceeded to take me out into the middle of the woods and run circles around me (literally) as I gasped and huffed and heart-attacked my way down the trail.
After college there were a couple other attempts to become a runner: once when I lived in Montana because it was just so beautiful and I wanted to try and tap into my "out-doorsy, athletic" side; and once when I lived in Michigan in attempt to get out all of the pent-up emotion and angst I had inside of me while living there.
Neither lasted because in the end I always remembered, Oh yeah. I HATE running.
I even found $60 lying on the ground the last (and only) time I ran in NYC. Convinced that God was rewarding me for my good and healthy habits, I vowed to run every week from that point on. But apparently neither God nor cash can keep me dedicated to this thing.
Okay. So back to Dan and I getting all buff and beautiful for the wedding. We contemplated joining a gym or taking a spinning class, but considering it costs a small fortune to do either we decided that running in the park was our best bet. Can't beat the scenery and it's always free.
I was seriously nervous on Wednesday night as I laced up my barely worn sneakers and attempted to stretch (how do you stretch?! I don't even know how to properly stretch!). I was nervous b/c I so badly wanted this to work (as in not die, so that we could actually do this on a regular basis), but didn't really think it would. And nervous b/c I didn't want Dan to see me as this train-wreck runner, but rather as a perfectly fit and athletically graceful woman!! (which is ridiculous, because I know he loves me big-time regardless of my "running skills")...but still...cramping up 2 minutes into a jog is pretty embarrassing.
We walked from my apartment towards the park, telling ourselves that we wouldn't push it, just go our own pace, yadda yadda.
Around Lexington Avenue we decided to start running. We ran from Lexington to Fifth Avenue, stopped in front of the MET to stretch, then ran over to the Reservoir where a HUGE and daunting runner's track stretched out before us. My anxiety grew as I watched happy runners effortlessly zip around the track like little gazelles. Jerks, I thought to myself, followed by, Nope, it's not gonna happen.
But Dan talked me off the ledge, and off we went. We started out nice and slow, with people seriously FLYING around us on either side (which was not exactly helpful to my fragile runner-esteem). But then a funny thing happened...I stopped paying attention to everyone else, and thought about how *cool* the moment was -- running beside my fiance in my favorite park in the world, skyscrapers surrounding us, the water beside us....it was just this beautifully surreal moment where I remembered 'Oh my gosh, I live in New York City. And I'm engaged! And he LIVES HERE NOW TOO so we can do things like RUN together after work!! Ahhh!' (I tried to convey this in words to Dan as we ran but it came out sounding more like short huffs and grunting sounds. I don't do so well with the simultaneous running and talking thing). It all made me feel so...happy. And before I knew it, so lost in this cool moment was I, we were half way around the reservoir! Dan pointed out how well we were doing and proposed something CRAZY -- what if we ran around the WHOLE THING without stopping...?? I started to say "Don't hold your breath, buddy," but I stopped myself because suddenly I really *wanted* to make it all the way around. I *needed* to do this!!
And guess what people...we DID. We ran around that whole dang track, not stopping once, 1.58 miles thank you very much. This probably sounds laughable to some, but was such a huge feat for me! In total, we think we did about 2 miles, and I didn't cramp up OR feel like I was having a heart attack OR get one single itchy splotch on my legs!! I don't know why -- the company? the beautiful setting? -- but I didn't! And in fact, I felt SO GOOD afterwards, I want to go again this weekend. It just made our night feel so much more productive and healthy and happy -- who knows, maybe it's those endorphin thingys that runners tell you about -- but it made me feel like I could really *do* this and stick to it this time.
We shall see. I will keep you posted!
Let me start out by telling you a little bit about me and long distance running. I hate it. Really and truly HATE IT. Growing up, I was the girl in gym class ALWAYS at the back of the pack during that dreaded mile-run (that is if I was actually IN school that day -- I definitely recall trying to fake-sick my way out of mile-run day a few times). I was a pretty active kid, too -- sports, dance and even short-distance sprinting, no problem. But long-distance running and me...oil and water, people. My sides would cramp up, my legs would get all itchy and splotchy, my chest would tighten, convincing me that this was it...my time was up...I was going to die.
This "condition" continued well into my college and adult years. I recall one sunny afternoon at Mary Washington College feeling inspired to take a jog through the beautiful, woodsy area near campus. My roommate, a long-distance runner and star of the track team, told me she knew of the perfect trail for a beginner like me, and proceeded to take me out into the middle of the woods and run circles around me (literally) as I gasped and huffed and heart-attacked my way down the trail.
After college there were a couple other attempts to become a runner: once when I lived in Montana because it was just so beautiful and I wanted to try and tap into my "out-doorsy, athletic" side; and once when I lived in Michigan in attempt to get out all of the pent-up emotion and angst I had inside of me while living there.
Neither lasted because in the end I always remembered, Oh yeah. I HATE running.
I even found $60 lying on the ground the last (and only) time I ran in NYC. Convinced that God was rewarding me for my good and healthy habits, I vowed to run every week from that point on. But apparently neither God nor cash can keep me dedicated to this thing.
Okay. So back to Dan and I getting all buff and beautiful for the wedding. We contemplated joining a gym or taking a spinning class, but considering it costs a small fortune to do either we decided that running in the park was our best bet. Can't beat the scenery and it's always free.
I was seriously nervous on Wednesday night as I laced up my barely worn sneakers and attempted to stretch (how do you stretch?! I don't even know how to properly stretch!). I was nervous b/c I so badly wanted this to work (as in not die, so that we could actually do this on a regular basis), but didn't really think it would. And nervous b/c I didn't want Dan to see me as this train-wreck runner, but rather as a perfectly fit and athletically graceful woman!! (which is ridiculous, because I know he loves me big-time regardless of my "running skills")...but still...cramping up 2 minutes into a jog is pretty embarrassing.
We walked from my apartment towards the park, telling ourselves that we wouldn't push it, just go our own pace, yadda yadda.
Around Lexington Avenue we decided to start running. We ran from Lexington to Fifth Avenue, stopped in front of the MET to stretch, then ran over to the Reservoir where a HUGE and daunting runner's track stretched out before us. My anxiety grew as I watched happy runners effortlessly zip around the track like little gazelles. Jerks, I thought to myself, followed by, Nope, it's not gonna happen.
But Dan talked me off the ledge, and off we went. We started out nice and slow, with people seriously FLYING around us on either side (which was not exactly helpful to my fragile runner-esteem). But then a funny thing happened...I stopped paying attention to everyone else, and thought about how *cool* the moment was -- running beside my fiance in my favorite park in the world, skyscrapers surrounding us, the water beside us....it was just this beautifully surreal moment where I remembered 'Oh my gosh, I live in New York City. And I'm engaged! And he LIVES HERE NOW TOO so we can do things like RUN together after work!! Ahhh!' (I tried to convey this in words to Dan as we ran but it came out sounding more like short huffs and grunting sounds. I don't do so well with the simultaneous running and talking thing). It all made me feel so...happy. And before I knew it, so lost in this cool moment was I, we were half way around the reservoir! Dan pointed out how well we were doing and proposed something CRAZY -- what if we ran around the WHOLE THING without stopping...?? I started to say "Don't hold your breath, buddy," but I stopped myself because suddenly I really *wanted* to make it all the way around. I *needed* to do this!!
And guess what people...we DID. We ran around that whole dang track, not stopping once, 1.58 miles thank you very much. This probably sounds laughable to some, but was such a huge feat for me! In total, we think we did about 2 miles, and I didn't cramp up OR feel like I was having a heart attack OR get one single itchy splotch on my legs!! I don't know why -- the company? the beautiful setting? -- but I didn't! And in fact, I felt SO GOOD afterwards, I want to go again this weekend. It just made our night feel so much more productive and healthy and happy -- who knows, maybe it's those endorphin thingys that runners tell you about -- but it made me feel like I could really *do* this and stick to it this time.
We shall see. I will keep you posted!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
six (6) months from TODAY...
...i get to marry THIS guy -->
and that makes me very, VERY happy.
okay ... that's all :)
and that makes me very, VERY happy.
okay ... that's all :)
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