June, 2008
We got married one month ago today. It's actually hard to believe how fast time flies (when you're having fun).
There are frequent brief moments, that I still fantasize about our wedding day. I fondly remember the details and grasp onto the memories to ensure they stay in my brain forever.
I remember waking up that morning and reading the lovely greeting card the Southern Gentleman had left for me. The envelope had strict instructions written in his jagged handwriting. OPEN ON THE MORNING OF MAY 17, 2008.
The card contained a heartfelt message that warmed me all over and put a smile on my face that refused to fade until I closed my eyes in sleep later that night.
I remember lounging in the incredibly comfy terry cloth robe, courtesy of the Westin Hotel, as the hairdresser primped and poked - to accomplish the soft, sassy look I wanted. My mother and two bridesmaids arrived next. The girls looked lovely in the simple espresso brown skirt/top outfits complimented by the bright orange necklaces.
My mother looked outstanding in just the perfect dress. When I saw my Dad later, I held back tears. I was able to spend some quality time with them, before the day got too crazy and I will cherish those private moments forever.
The Wedding Ceremony was holy and blessed. We had a full Catholic mass, and our guests thanked us over and over again for celebrating in a sacred way. The luncheon reception was relaxed and full of light-hearted moments and details. The food was amazing and the cupcakes (instead of wedding cake) was a whimsical alternative.
In the past month - many people have asked me if 'life' is different now that I'm married. I'm perplexed by that line of questioning....I'm still the same person, yet the anxious look on the face of the questioner - makes me feel like I'm supposed to have some GRAND answer.
"Yes, my whole world is different, EVERYTHING has changed. Life with my husband has altered every single thing I ever did or believed in prior to meeting him."
Is THAT what I'm supposed to say?
The pre-wedding hype was nearly overwhelming. People who barely paid attention to me prior to the engagement, seemed overly thrilled with the pending nuptials and asked zillions of questions about me, my fiance and wedding plans. And now, those same people seemed determined to find out how I'd changed now that I'd uttered the words, "I Do."
Although, I don't feel like I've personally changed... upon further reflection - I suppose a few things of daily life have changed. I now look forward to leaving work and anticipating dinners with the Southern Gentleman. I'm still the irreverent, verbal lady I was a mere month ago - however...now I have a captive audience for my political diatribes and rants about day-to-day interactions with IMPOSSIBLE people.
The Southern Gentleman is non-judgemental and listens patiently while I spout off about 'world injustices' and 'odd human behavior'. Recently, I came home from an exhausting day at work and after he welcomed me with a hug and a few brief kisses, I looked at him and muttered, "People bug me and I don't make enough money."
Without hesitation, he answered, "I know baby."
Every once in awhile, when he walks through the door, I look up and have to remember that we are married and that we actually live together. Occasionally, when he disrupts my quiet 'girl-time' by changing the TV from the Oxygen Channel to the History Channel - I glance over at him and say, "Why are you here?"
To some, that would be an insult, but the Southern Gentleman is non-pulsed. "I'm here forever baby, get used to it." and he turns up the volume on the tv (just for emphasis).
He holds his own and is equally independent and irreverent, he just packages it up a bit more sweetly. During a recent battle of wits, he looked at me and said, "why are you here? Go for a run or ride your bike or something." We both erupted into a fit of laughter...in large part because we were laying in bed and it was nearly 11:00 pm.
Have things changed for me now that I'm married? I suppose they have. However, it doesn't feel like a change but rather it feels more like an extended relationship with my best friend. And, that is AMAZING.
