Dear Wedding Photographer,
Please come take pictures for my wedding. And do my bridals. And my engagements. And come to my reception a week later than the wedding. All for a reasonable price.
And please be really, really good at taking pictures. Try really hard to not know how good you are. If you don't know how good you are, you'll give me the best price! Doesn't that sound fun? Oh, and you'll probably have to travel. But, I bet you're OK with that.
You better have a loud voice, because you're going to have to corral my family into one camera frame. Good luck.
Amazing pictures is really what I want for my wedding. Oh, and the best groom ever, but turns out I already have that.
How about I just wait for you to contact me now, instead of me looking diligently for you. Sound like plan, Stan (not that I'm limited to photographers names Stan...)
Thanks a million,
Yours Truly
Please come take pictures for my wedding. And do my bridals. And my engagements. And come to my reception a week later than the wedding. All for a reasonable price.
And please be really, really good at taking pictures. Try really hard to not know how good you are. If you don't know how good you are, you'll give me the best price! Doesn't that sound fun? Oh, and you'll probably have to travel. But, I bet you're OK with that.
You better have a loud voice, because you're going to have to corral my family into one camera frame. Good luck.
Amazing pictures is really what I want for my wedding. Oh, and the best groom ever, but turns out I already have that.
How about I just wait for you to contact me now, instead of me looking diligently for you. Sound like plan, Stan (not that I'm limited to photographers names Stan...)
Thanks a million,
Yours Truly
I'm going to Disneyland this weekend. With the entire soon-to-be-in-law's family. When I say entire, I mean entire. Aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, parents, and it's all for Grandma's 70th birthday.
I warned my nice, perfect fiancé: the thought of an airport makes me want to either have an anxiety attack or throw up. Or possibly both. At the same time. We're still flying there. But, we're driving back.
I believe this feeling comes from the 6 days I spent living in one during the excursion across the world in December. I can't distinguish between airports in general and the string of them we lived in for many days (located in not only many locations, but multiple countries) in my mind. When someone says "airport" I see Asians and think about sleeping on benches while mi madre hands out motion sickness pills like it's 1999.
The separation problem is so real that today I asked my mom, "Do I need my passport to get on the airplane?" To Disneyland. Yes. It's a problem.
Flight attendants: If I start talking really slow, clear (and probably loud) English-it's because I'm picturing you with a bun, waking me up every half hour to feed me poisoned, Asian, airline food, and speaking to me in Vietnamese. Don't mind me.
I did so good for so long. I guess I use those terms very loosely. If by so good, I mean I blogged a decent amount compared to other blogging times in my life, then-yes. I did so good. And If by so long, I mean for about a week, then-yes. It was so long.
I'm going to be lazy. Go figure. And let this post consist mostly of pictures. Let them equal a thousand words, OK?
My very best friend in the whole world got married. She is so happy. And I wasn't even sad. (The fact my own wedding is swiftly approaching probably aided that fact.) I did cry. We both did at her reception. But it was a good cry. A cry that remembered how good our friendship is. A cry that only lasted a minute or so (although I did have to fight back tears for a little while after). It was a healthy cry. A cry for change. A happy, grateful cry.
Tanya requested I be there the day before to comfort, console, and keep her company (and help keep sanity present). I was more than happy to.
Here's some pictures:
Quick side note: Tanya's bachelorette party was a surprise pole dancing class. Hilarious. At first I was a little reserved, but quickly loosened up. Tanya, on the other hand, was a natural. Literally. So much so, that if they become successful early in marriage I'll suspect she has chosen an alternative career route.
Selfish me: I'm so excited for it to be Tanya's turn at my wedding. How cool is it that she got married first, so she can attend my wedding? At the right time, in the right place, by the right authority. Oh, and did I mention to the right person?
Dear Tanya,
I love you. I'm glad we're different together, so we can be different best friends. There's nobody like you. Not a day has gone by that I don't thank The Higher Power for placing you in my life. Never stop being in my life. Yes, I am that selfish.
Happy wedding. Happy life. Happy husband.
-Yours Truly
I'm trying really hard not to think anything right now. Let me show you why. This is what it would be like if I was letting myself think.
I have no idea how to plan a wedding. I wish I had a billion dollars. My best friend is getting married tomorrow. I'm not as upset about this fact as I thought I would be. Probably because I am getting married. I think Dustin said it is 149 days. I can't wait until I get married. I love Dustin. I wish he didn't work at nights. Especially on nights before I leave, when I don't get to see him for a couple days. I hope I have everything packed. Should I pack an extra dress? I feel like I am re-wearing the same thing three times; probably because I am wearing the same thing three time in a row. Oh well, who have I got to impress? I'm already engaged. I love my ring. I love that people think it looks like "me." I love that my diamond sparkles even in the dimmest of light. I still look at my ring all the time. I walk past the mirror and make sure my left hand is somehow showing so I can admire it. Never give a girl with OCD tendencies a diamond ring. I analyze and reanalyze the ring, making sure I haven't damaged it. Sometimes I even make Dusin check it. He doesn't even look at it anymore. I know he hates when I ask him stupid questions like that, but I sure am glad he does it. Sometimes I just need reassurance. Like on everything I need reassurance. Like my wedding. I just want to make the right choices. And I want to love it. Even though I know I will love it. Dustin is so calm about it all. He says we're supposed to be stressed. I need to be more like him. In more way than one. I'm glad everyone likes him. He still needs to meet Richard Westerberg. That was my bad. He should have been one of the first people Dustin met. I'm so scared to ride the shuttle tomorrow to Salt Lake. Richard would threaten to slap me silly if he knew I was stressing myself out over something like that. So would Dustin. I'm excited to see my family. Hopefully the wedding plans go smooth. I might as well prepare myself for some rocky spots. Let's be honest, it's me, my mom, and my sisters...trying to make wedding plans.
I still can't believe Tanya's getting married. Tomorrow will be my last night with her, well, her as my single best friend. She's the best. I can't believe I'm engaged. I can't wait until it's my last night as a single best friend.
Told you I shouldn't think. Instead I'm playing tetris on Facebook, while "Sleepless in Seattle" is playing in another screen (I'm just listening). I'm thinking about everything I need to do and waiting for Dustin to call.
So, I'm engaged folks. To the nice, perfect boy! How nice and perfect is that? Lucky me. So, telling the story is a lot of fun. I really do like it. But it is so much more fun telling it with Dustin. I thought about having Dustin blog the story. Ya know? I could have a little guest speaker. It would be cute. But, let's be honest, I need to keep him in line and telling the truth. So, we'll tell it together like the adorable, newly engaged couple we are. It's going to be awesome. Dustin's comments will be bolded and italicized.
It all started a long, long time ago...on the 5th. It was our kind-of-first-official-date. But, not really. (In my mind it was a date.) Because we went with his dad. And his brother-in-law's younger brother. And some high school teachers from Grace. And my roommate. The situation isn't as weird as it's seeming right now, we were only going to watch D's little brother play a football game in Boise. But, he invited me, so I almost felt like it was a date. And that's what we'll call it. Remember, it was the 5th.
This is when I first held Alyssa's hand after weeks of debating whether or not to make a move. And obviously we've been dating since.
So, Dustin's little brother plays basketball,too. And his game was this last weekend. Earlier in the week I mentioned that we would be in Boise again, watching Chase play, on the 5th. Ironic? I thought so. But, that's all I thought. As soon as I realized this, my mind was working over time to try and figure out if I could pull this off. It all would depend on whether I would get the ring in time and would have had a chance to talk to her parents.
We had been talking to Craig about having a ring made. Craig was (past tense) a jeweler. And now I know him, post this part of his career. Dustin really wanted the engagement to be a total surprise, but since I wasn't sure if I would be satisfied with the band I chose-Craig wanted me to try it on and approve before a diamond was set in it. So, the band came in, I fell in love, and we started talking diamonds. The diamond was going to be Dustin's job. I believe this was done so I wouldn't know exactly when the ring was complete.
Anyway, I'm kind of a pain in the you-know-what when one is trying to keep a secret from me. But, I was attempting to mind my own business and not ask a million questions about the ring. And finally I couldn't take it anymore (OK, it may or may not have been a maximum of 22 hours since I'd last attacked Dustin with questions)(If that). So, I asked Craig if D had called him about the ring yet, or if he had worked out anything for the diamond. Craig informed me Dustin had not contacted him, and told me to relay the message that he better decide soon or he would send back the band I was so in love with. I got pretty nervous. And Dustin could tell. He assured me he would get a hold of Craig soon. Craig was a big help in pulling this off. On Thursday at 7am, Craig called me and informed me the ring was done. So we set it up for me to pick it up and immediately after I was on the phone, setting up a time to go to Preston and talk to Alyssa's parents.
Then, on my way home from work (already tense, mind you, from my chat with Craig), I called Dustin to chat. He was on his way to his work ski trip. I asked him (yeah, I totally bagged my goal to not ask questions) when he was going to talk to my parentals. He assured me he would soon, and told he thought it would be a good idea to do it when we were coming back from Tanya's wedding next weekend. Double strike, Big D. He supposedly wanted to surprise me, but was then going to ask with me in the home? I tried not to act annoyed. Good thing I didn't pursue a career in film. HA HA fooled you!
So, on Friday we headed to Boise. Everything was great. We reminisced about the last time we went to Boise. It was pretty tender. We had such a fun weekend with his family, and watching the basketball games. (Not going to lie, watching John:future-father-in-law attempt to eat sushi with chopsticks may have been one of the highlights for me.) Oh, and FYI: I didn't even sleep talk!
On our way home on Saturday, Dustin was a little tired at the beginning of the drive. I asked him if he was OK, and he told me I may need to drive about halfway. Totally fine. We kept driving, and chatting, and having a grand ol' time. We stopped at a gas station. Took a picture. Reminisced some more. We hopped back on the freeway. Everything going exactly as planned!
As we started driving again, I started saying sweet things to Dustin. After I had told her we could not hold hands until the very spot that we had held hands for the first time. You know, things I meant but would be embarrassing for everyone else to hear. Like how much I loved him. And how great it's been since the last time we were in Boise on the 5th. He said nothing. Then, he announced he was getting off the exit, no lie-one mile down the road, because he was tired and we needed to switch drivers. Not at the gas station, but one mile down the road.
He pulled off, flipped the car around and parked. Usually when we switch drivers, he gets out (I'm a bully, remember) and I just climb over the seat. I looked at him, waited, and he didn't move. So, I instructed (rather rudely), "Move." To which he responded (so maturely), "You move." I remember this part a little differently. I'm pretty sure I was a complete gentleman. I paused. Looked at him. And got out of the car. I wouldn't say irritated...but kind of.
Here's my thought process as I walked around the car: "Why would he make me get out of the car? That's weird. Maybe he's going to propose... No, don't think that-if he doesn't you'll be disappointed." By then I was on the driver's side of the car. And there was that nice, perfect boy-on the ground. Pretending to be hurt. Or something (let's just say my career in film would have lasted a lot longer than his). Here's my thought process for this: "Oh my gosh! He is proposing! Oh, wait. What if he's really hurt. No...he's only on one knee. He's proposing. Don't say anything just in case he's not really going to propose. That would be so embarrassing." All I have to say about this part is; I'm pretty sure my heart rate was nearing 400 BPM.
And then I saw him holding a little black box. I didn't even give him a chance to start talking before I ran over, bawling. Now, I'm not a cute, little, dainty whimper kind of girl. I'm a full on, snot faced, red, blotching sobbing kind of girl. He obviously proposed. And I could only nod. He stood up, hugged me, and put the ring on my finger. And then he asked, "You did say 'yes,' right?" I could only nod again.
It was still a few minutes before I even thought to look at the ring. But, believe me. I did look. And it's gorgeous.
People, I adore this guy. Seriously, he's the best thing that has ever happened to me. Never have I been happier, so content, so comfortable, or so...perfect. Somehow somebody convinced him to be with me forever. And I can't wait. For every. single. day. for the rest of eternity. It's going to be...well... nice and perfect. And fun. He makes me laugh all the time, he comforts me, and he calms me down (not an easy feat). How lucky am I, to be on my way to forever, accompanied by the best thing that's ever happened to me?
How lucky am I, to have the privilege of spending eternity with the most loving, caring, kindhearted, thoughtful, intelligent, motivated and gorgeous girl I have EVER met. There is NO ONE I would rather spend eternity with than her. I love you Alyssa!
Not only do I now get to enjoy family bondage with my own family, but I get double the experience and also get to enjoy it with nice, perfect, Dustin's family.
Right about now, we're heading to the good ol' state capital to watch his brother play state basketball. There's some pros and cons to this situation.
+I will get our of Rexburg. Not only that, but it will be with a nice, perfect boy.
-I really should have started my lesson for Sunday earlier.
+It's warmer in Boise.
+I really like watching basketball.
-I get to sleep in a hotel room with D's grandma and little sister. This isn't a bad thing in the least-except I sleep talk. Bad. I don't think I'll tell them that usually I not only talk, but scream in my sleep. Humiliating.
Well-just heard the knock on the door. Off I go. We'll see if they still want me around after this.
Today (well, technically yesterday) was my Joshie's birthday. So, I just wanted to say to him:
Happy birthday, Boo. I know when I found out Mom was expecting you I was less than happy. OK, I'm working on being more open and honest-I was a tyrant. But, Josh, you're the best, youngest brother. You always keep everyone in line, while making them feel special. You tell us stories, and teach us church lessons. You are our father.
I can't believe you're this old already; doesn't it seem like only yesterday I was calling you "Tumor?" Remember that? You were learning to walk, and you fell almost as much as I do at the age of 21. You always had these overly large goose bumps on your forehead. Of course, being myself, I referred to them as tumors.
Speaking of my bully stages, remember when I would threaten to rip out your tongue. I thought it was the most effective way to teach you to not stick out your tongue. Obviously not. Especially since you would just suck it back in and cover your mouth giggling. Except the one time I caught it. Then you cried. And, of course, mom took your side. That always happens.
I love you. All of you. From your gorgeous, huge, blue eyes-to your white, blond hair-to your adorable giggle-to the fact that you still run and give me a huge hug as soon as I walk in the door at home-to your extreme OCD tendencies.
I cherish every moment with you. If I could tell one thing to my 13-year-old self it would be, "Calm down. You'll learn more from this little boy than most of the men you'll come in contact with throughout your life. Be excited to meet him. He's going to be a good baby. Sometimes he'll be spoiled, but that's what's supposed to happen, he's the youngest of seven. Let him be. I would tell you to love him more than life-but you will anyway. Oh, and Alyssa? Brush your hair. It's gross."
Joshie Boy, I love you. Thanks for teaching more life lessons in your short nine years than I've learned in double that and a little more.
Happy Birthday, again. Hope your Chinese noodles and orange rolls were great!
Love you to the moon and back and infinity (plus one)!
Yours Truly
It seems that lately my blog has been the victim of a sad, purging of my thoughts. This post is going to be no different. I think it's because when I have something I'm thinking about-it's all I think about for a really long time. It kind of consumes me.
People, I can't get money off my mind. And I don't even have any. I guess that's why I can't get it off my mind.
If anyone finds a money growing tree, I could really benefit from a piece of it.
People, I can't get money off my mind. And I don't even have any. I guess that's why I can't get it off my mind.
If anyone finds a money growing tree, I could really benefit from a piece of it.
I never thought I would be one of these kind of girls. And by "these kind of girls" I mean the kind of girl that can't get enough of someone else, let alone a male someone else. Behold, believe in miracles. I am this girl.
Reason #1,854 I love this nice, perfect boy. First, a little history. Dustin Dakota Darlin' works a lot. A couple of jobs. His job at the ski resort has him working most nights, and with both of us working all day-we don't see each other for very long periods of time.
A couple days ago, Darlin' (his abbreviated name from Morgan) invited a few friends to go snowboarding with him after his shift. He begged me to come. Now, I would bet it's safe to assume few people will be surprised when I say: I adamantly refused to go snowboarding. He consented (he knows me well enough to no argue when I refuse to do something). Then he begged me to sit in the lodge. I was confused. What good would it do for me to sit in the lodge when I could be warm with a good book in a place that does not smell like a McDonald's PlayPlace?
Then he won me over: he just wanted to see me sooner.
Believe it or not. I softened. And I convinced Dianna and Female Taylor to join me in the PlayPlace smelling, freezing lodge.
For so many reasons I love him. But this one: I love that he accepts me despite my fit-throwing, adamant refusal to try things I have no desire to try. And he's even a good sport about it. (If you can't tell, we swapped eye wear.)
I now say something I never thought I would say: I'm proud to be this girl.
What's not to love?
Reason #1,854 I love this nice, perfect boy. First, a little history. Dustin Dakota Darlin' works a lot. A couple of jobs. His job at the ski resort has him working most nights, and with both of us working all day-we don't see each other for very long periods of time.
A couple days ago, Darlin' (his abbreviated name from Morgan) invited a few friends to go snowboarding with him after his shift. He begged me to come. Now, I would bet it's safe to assume few people will be surprised when I say: I adamantly refused to go snowboarding. He consented (he knows me well enough to no argue when I refuse to do something). Then he begged me to sit in the lodge. I was confused. What good would it do for me to sit in the lodge when I could be warm with a good book in a place that does not smell like a McDonald's PlayPlace?
Then he won me over: he just wanted to see me sooner.
Believe it or not. I softened. And I convinced Dianna and Female Taylor to join me in the PlayPlace smelling, freezing lodge.
I now say something I never thought I would say: I'm proud to be this girl.
What's not to love?