My Daddy

Going to school full time and working full time is keeping me SUPER busy right now!! Working on a few wedding details here and there in my spare free time. This Saturday is a bridal affair at Purdon's rental company, which my mom will be attending with me since Quinn will be working all day. As most people know I lost my father to cancer when I was 15 years old. Time has made his absence a little less painful but there is not a day that goes by that he does not cross my mind. I miss him as if he were just here yesterday. I sometimes even talk to him in my head or I laugh out loud when something reminds me of him. I can't really remember what his voice sounds like but his face is always so clear. I swear he still hangs around my mom's house and messes with her stuff. Some evenings the touch lamp is on in her room when she hasn't been home all day. Ha ha. He has already missed so much, it hurts deeply to know he will not be here on my wedding day as well. Yes, I know he is watching over me and that he is proud of me...BUT none of that replaces his bodily presence. I was so glad my grandmother (his mother) was able to meet Quinn last April in California,before her passing this past fall, as well as two of my aunts (my dad's sisters). I knew even then that Quinn was the one. They say when you've met THE ONE, you just know, and that's true. As most  also know, I found my half siblings almost 2 years ago, my dad's other two children, Lawrence and Teresa. They are amazing people with amazing families. We've gotten to meet a few times already. We always make a way, regardless of distance, to see one another. Once I knew in my heart I would be spending the rest of my life with Quinn, I told Teresa over the phone while in Las Vegas that I was going to ask our father's only son to walk me down the aisle when the day came. He is the closest thing to my father I can get. That day came on December 12th. On December 13th Lawrence sent me a congratulations message and in turn I replied, "On that note, I was wondering if you would walk me down the aisle?" He accepted with great honor and that means more to me than he will ever know!! I get emotional at times when I think about my daddy not being here. Especially when I think about him walking me down the aisle or our father/daughter dance or him being a grandfather to my future child(ren). But I do admit, it brings me some comfort knowing that I have the next best people to help me with that day....my brother to give me away and my fiance to take me for the rest of our lives. I hope people that still have both of their parents understand and cherish the moments they have. Time and love is so precious, they are not something to be taken advantage of. I attended 4-5 weddings in 2012 and the hardest part was always listening to the song selection and watching the bride and her father dancing. With such an array of emotions going on, I pray I can make it through the rehearsal and ceremony without boohooing when our day comes. Live, Love, and Laugh!! 

7 Special Envelopes!

 Yesterday I mailed out cards to 7 women that are very near and dear to my heart for all of their own special reasons.Whether it be a shoulder I can lean on unconditionally, unwavering support in one way or another, loving me, venting until I lose my voice, long time steady friends that are more like sisters, or being my sanity when I have been ready to lose my mind, even when there was no benefit for them. One of the easiest, yet hardest things to do is narrow that list down to one handful rather than two. I have been blessed with many great friends, more so than most. Mindy(M), Candace(C), Jami(W), Loren(L), Bernadine(B), Samantha(S), and Jessica(J) will be receiving mail asking them to Plan With Me, Stand With Me, Cry With Me, and Laugh With Me. For the most part of the last 10 years, each of these women have been a steady rock in my life and this is my thank you!! Most importantly, I would not be where I am or who I am without you. Time to celebrate ladies!! 

On another note, I bought an Ultimate Wedding Planner & Organizer last week at Barnes & Noble!! It is so useful and informative on every little detail imaginable, it has been a great guide thus far. It has helped get an idea of a budget and where we should be and can be. Next up, continue to get the guest list and numbers together and filling in pricing info. Now I know the small details can come a little later! I am still in disbelief that I get to spend the rest of my life with this incredible man! I love him more and more everyday. 

Bridal Bliss Classic

Yesterday we attended our 1st bridal show!!! We met up with Ashley, who is getting married this coming June. Walking in we didn't know what to expect! We signed in, as I had pre-registered last month. Immediately to the left there is a band playing live music before going up the escalator. We get up the escalator and there are vendors and people EVERYWHERE. I feel completely overwhelmed and not sure where to begin. The three of us decide to go to the left and make our way around the entire show. There is every kind of vendor you can think of, several types of foods brought in from featured caters, flowers/florists galore, DJ's, photographers, wedding dresses, suits, and  more! It was nice to get a feel of who you would like to work with and even get an idea of prices.

We met up with Amy while we were there, paid our deposit and signed the contract for our reception!! Feels good to have ideas and to get the ball rolling. The sooner plans and ideas are finalized, the sooner we can relax and know what we are saving towards. I feel like so far everything is piecing together here and there, such a blessing!!

My friend Megan is dating a professional DJ...and she has offered him to us, as her gift! How amazing is that!!?? Now...she just needs to hold onto this man (whom I cannot wait to meet!!).

We have the food taken care of as well, Deonna and her mother's food was delicious for Lee's rehearsal and reception, so we've decided we'd appreciate them catering our weddings events also. Who doesn't like good ol home cooked food?? We don't want anything fancy that will leave a bunch of leftovers. We paid for it...so eat it!! LOL.

My main concerns...florist and cake and photographer!!!

Keep you posted on our journey!! Happy Monday!!

Site Visit at the The Thoroughbred Center

We visited with Amy at The Thoroughbred Center this morning! She was super nice, happy, smiling and had an answer for every question we had. I love that she is so knowledgeable and willing to be suggestive.  I love knowing that there is someone I can ask a question to, and she will either have the answer or find it for me; anxious to help and be hands on where I need her to be. I can tell she is all about making my job and decisions easier. I cannot wait to get started with the planning. I don't know details but I have ideas. Now, just to make them happen! Woo hoo!! 

Many friends are willing to help craft and create, I appreciate it so much. We have a year and a half to decide what we want and how much it will cost us. So then we can know what to budget for. Nothing wrong with taking our time and having our day be perfect! Up next...the Bridal Bliss Classic coming up on Sunday!

NYE 2012

This love began a year ago today!!! 12 months have flown by...literally!!! I am on cloud 9. All of my pain and heartache has been long gone. It's been replaced with a love and joy that I have never felt or been shown before. I used to think it was all too good to be true or waiting for the ball to drop. But we aren't strangers. Thankful for God planting him in my life so long ago and that we found our way back to one another. 

This is my 2012 "About Me" on FB . I re-write it at the beginning of every year. 

"A Woman's Heart Should Be So Lost in God, That A Man Must Seek HIM In Order To Find Her"

Reflecting back to 2011 brings a peace over me. I went thru a trial I never saw coming. For that, I am grateful for the strength I didn't know I had. 2012 will bring lots of new happy memories with friends and loved ones. Traveling and being free to do as I wish is what I am looking forward to as this year unravels. Loving myself unconditionally is my biggest accomplishment, I am sincerely carefree, stress free, and happy. Here is to celebrating my 29th year on this beautiful Earth!

Now I have to think of one for 2013...I can't even begin to imagine what 2013 has in store...but I'd say celebrating my 30th birthday in Cancun is a great way!! 

NYE 2011

Choosing the Bridal Party

I have a handful of people that I have always known would be in "my wedding" one day. We all hope in the back of our minds this day would come and what if and who? Well, the day has finally come and it's time to make some important decisions. I am so thankful for the internet. I have researched bridesmaid etiquette out of respect and concern for friends and family, so that no one would or should have their feelings hurt. 

http://www.bridalguide.com/etiquette/family-friends-and-guests/choosing-your-bridesmaids

This link helped me greatly. There are are several important notes to take into consideration: 

1. Take into account their responsibilities
2. Evaluate your needs and expectations
3. Factor in the lifestyle and current situation of those you intend to ask

With those notes being taken...I was able to narrow my list down and will work on roles to give those that I don't believe can fully commit, other responsibilities. This should be a time that is fun and enjoyable to everyone, not just myself. I want my bridal party to be excited about my big day just as much as I am! 

Now...onto finding the lovely ladies some special invites!! 

Getting Started

Once everything had begun to set in, I was able to start wrapping my mind around where do I begin?? I already knew WHERE I wanted the ceremony to be. I used to attend TLC (True Life Church). It's very special to me and is a place I met some very important people to me, including God. I always knew who He was but I never really knew Him. That church gave me a faith and understanding I never knew existed.

My next thought is about the reception? I think it's important for the reception to be convenient to the ceremony for those attending both. I always thought I wanted it at The Red Mile...until I saw the pricing, exclusive catering and bar, and service charges being 30% on top of all the other charges/fees. So onto Google I went. I read reviews on theknot.com, weddingwire.com, and lexingtonweddings.com. They listed various couple's blogs regarding their experiences at different places, pricing of high or low, and satisfaction levels. I was interested in The Barrel House downtown on Manchester Street. They had a bar, DJ included in pricing, but they also required using their exclusive caterer. I was also afraid of parking being an issue. I wasn't happy enough with the pictures and venue to pay their fees for what we were getting or having to settle with using their caterer.

Next, I noticed the Thoroughbred Center holds receptions. Perfect! I thought. It is less than a mile or two from the church and their rental fee was very reasonable, plenty of parking, open catering policy, and simple enough to decorate ourselves. With everything that is included and not losing anything with deposits, it so far seems like the place we are VERY interested in. The only downside is us wanting to have a bar and the markup on alcohol is a little crazy. We like to have a good time and want everyone to enjoy our special day with us as well. So, if we have to pay a little more to have drinks in return on saving on everything else this venue has to offer, I think we can manage! Amy has already been very pleasant to email and communicate with for my many questions.

http://www.thoroughbred-center.com/events/events/holding-area/

Now, to schedule a site visit for January 3rd with Amy!! Woohoo!!