Day to Day



May, 2008


There is an odd phenomenon that seems universally experienced by folks, following LARGE LIFE EVENTS.



During my college years, as a women's basketball player, - we were expected to report to campus weeks before our classmates. We showed up for summer work-outs, and spent countless hours in the blazing sun, running and getting in shape for the season. Over Christmas break, while our fellow students had a month vacation, we had to stay on campus for two-a-day workouts and long road trips. However, once the season was over - and we had to blend in and become 'regular' students again - there was ALWAYS a 'blue-period' of mourning. There was a LET-DOWN. An emptiness settled in - once the spotlight of the season had dimmed.



The same LET-DOWN phenomenon takes over after one of my Triathlons. I spend months training and sacrificing for Race Day. Then, once the race is over (and, I've sufficiently showered) the 'blue period lasts for about a week.



May 17th- was our WEDDING DAY. The Southern Gentleman and I were surrounded by 52 of our closest family and friends in an intimate ceremony. Our reception was a fabulous luncheon that incorporated some unique elements reflecting our personalities.







By 5:30 pm we were married, well fed, and blissfully happy at the Hotel. We spent the next three days immersed in a stay-at-home honeymoon that included a nature hike, wine & cheese on a blanket near the lake, lounging around and an amazing sushi dinner.



On Thursday, we both returned to work. As I drove in that morning, I felt the 'blue-period' silently sneaking into my psyche. By Saturday (a.k.a. - our one week anniversary) I felt like I had WAY too much time on my hands. After FIVE MONTHS of non-stop work, wedding planning and detail monitoring - the Wedding went off without a single hitch.


However, in a weird twist of irony, I actually found myself missing the days of crazy anxiety and minutia management. What's THAT about?


I lamented to the Southern Gentleman - "we're just a boring married couple now. No one is treating us special or congratulating us anymore. I liked being treated like a princess and wearing my lovely bridal headband."


The Southern Gentleman smiled and said, "You can wear it around the house baby, you're my little princess."


In my Sister-in-Singlehood Days, a sappy comment like that would make me choke back a disgusted grunt - however....in the Post-Wedding-Day-LET-DOWN-Blues...I threw my arms around the neck of my MAN as he looked at me with those baby blue eyes and I THANKED HIM for marrying me.


We're getting used to Day-to-Day life as a married couple....with no one paying attention.











No MEN in the planning!


May 2008

Let me just begin by emphasizing that I have NEVER been the girl who dreamed of her wedding from childhood. Rarely, if ever, did I think about what my dress and my DAY would look like.

Hell, for most of my life - I was trying to figure out how to get the guys to actually LOOK at me and pick me as a DATE rather than the First baseman or the lead-off for Kick-ball.

I was a Tom-Boy tried and true. Seriously, I cried more tears and had more angst during adolescence and well into adult-hood, as I tried to figure out a way to shed the Tom-boy-mentality and emerge as a delicate (freaking) chick.
(I still struggle)

Having a ten year career in the sports broadcasting industry didn't help matters either. But, by then - I was making money and didn't really give a crap. (again, still working on the dainty side of me)

However, in some bizarre twist of romantic-irony - I have found an amazing guy. And, that amazing guy asked me to marry him. He doesn't seem phased at all - by the little single-chick tendencies that I'd been told were my 'down-fall'. Gosh, how many ADVICE-GIVERS told me I'd find a guy quicker if I'd just do.......(insert comment here)
And, most of those comments had to do with softening up my female persona.
UGH - I just wanted to be ME! Well, my Southern Gentleman, finds that perfectly acceptable.
Which is why I thank GOD for him every day. (Well, at least every Sunday)
We are getting married in two weeks - and the wedding planning has proceeded in similar fashion to how I've lived my life up until this point. I'm focused on the important parts of the day - and all the FLUFFY STUFF is a mere passing thought. Our wedding ceremony and luncheon reception will be classy/comfortable and semi-casual.
JUST LIKE US!
Since I only had 5 months to get this Blessed Event thrown together (we both agreed a long engagement was silly) and I had just begun a new job - and ALL of my close friends and family live Out-of-State.....the biggest challenge for me, was finding the TIME to plan this freaking wedding by myself.
All of my triathlon training came into play as I stayed Laser-focused on the details of wedding planning. When I'm training for a race - I have to successfully merge my personal and professional life with all my training.
Wedding planning had to fit into the schedule with the personal, professional and training aspects of my life.
With all of that to contend with - The INTERNET became my savior. I did a lot of research and ordering on-line from the comfort of my apartment, typically in the middle-of-the-night. I ordered my dress on-line and many of the supporting details of the DAY.
I was able to successfully avoid the wedding dress SHOPS, the Bridal Shows, the Bridal Magazines and all the seriously silly Bridal STUFF the experts claim is paramount. NONE OF IT APPLIED to me!
However, there came a time - when I needed to buy my strappy sandals that I'd wear on the wedding DAY. And, being a six foot woman with a size 12 shoe - makes shoe-shopping in the traditional way - NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. Through investigation and advice seeking - I was told that DAVIDS BRIDAL was the place for me to go.
I went to their website and my heart skipped a beat as I realized you couldn't order shoes on-line. I was going to have to GO INTO THE STORE!!! I think that was the exact moment I broke out in a rash on my neck (that I'm still trying to clear up)
The first trip to DAVIDS BRIDAL was exactly the Bride-zilla Freak Show I'd imagined in my minds eye. Dainty little tanned 20-something girls with their moms and gal-pals - trying on dress after dress after dress while they squealed and giggled and tugged at the gowns. UGH!
I nearly choked as the size 0 blonde with deep dark tan and over sized silicone breasts came out from behind the curtain with a strapless number that should only be considered if you are a Bridal-Themed STRIPPER. As I attempted to slide my size 12 into a size 11 SHE attempted to hold the dress up as her breasts begged to fall out the front. And, her equally blonde gal-pal squealed with excitement as they both agreed "THIS IS THE ONE!!"
I shook my head in disgust as I tried to envision the poor young guy that was to be her groom.
When I emerged from the Bridal dungeon into the bright Carolina sunshine, I grimaced at the thought of this particular Bridal shop being named after a MAN. It made me wonder if the Davids Bridal inventor-guy got together with the ill-fitting BRA-guy and the stiletto high-heel guy and they all plotted ways to SCREW WITH THE MINDS OF WOMEN!!
Mission accomplished.
A mere two days after the Bridal Shop nightmare - I was searching for a florist to provide the very simple floral needs for our wedding DAY. Our color-scheme is chocolate and orange with a hint of ivory as a compliment color. I had a very specific vision in my head. Again, simple and under-stated...yet, a bit whimsical. With that in mind, I began interviewing perspective floral specialists.
Our vision was to have the orange Gerber daisy be a focal point in our simple arrangements. None of the women I spoke to seemed to have a problem with that - until I called the local shop and TODD answered the phone. After describing to him what our choices were - he tersely told me that, "We don't use Gerber daisy's for wedding arrangements"
Me: "Why is that? Are they a difficult flower to work with?" I wondered
Him: "No, it's not that...we just don't use that flower at ALL for wedding arrangements"
Again, I pressed him for a reason and he sighed as he said, "Well, we are a very high-end provider and we would only consider using that flower for smaller events, possibly an afternoon event or luncheon."
Me: "You mean, like my 50 person afternoon outdoor luncheon reception?"
Him: SILENCE
Me: "So, let me get this straight - If the BRIDE who is PAYING you requests orange Gerber daisy's you would refuse to work with her?"
Him: "Again, we really only work with luxurious arrangements....." BLAH, BLAH, BLAH
At some point during his rambling message I interrupted him - "Yea, Yea, I get it - we're too small and not classy enough for you to work with....have a nice day"
CLICK
The Wedding Day planning is nearing a close and all-in-all the process has been relatively painless. However, I do find it curious that the only two un-plesant experiences I've had included Men.......
I'm just saying.....................