The Home Stretch...

14 months ago we got engaged.  In just 8 more days we'll be married.  

Mr. and Mrs.

It's been quite the road we've been on the last 14 months.  So many ups and downs, emotionally, physically.  It's been exhausting to say the least.  Looking back there are probably some things I would have changed.  Some things I would have done differently.  I almost guarantee you though after next Saturday I will look back again and probably say I wouldn't have changed a thing.

As many of you know I've been pretty emotional through this process from the very beginning.  From not having my mom and sister with me when I found "the dress", to not having them at the bridal shower and all the in between.  I took on so much during the last 14 months because part of me felt like I didn't have help and to just consume myself with it all to try and not let them not being here bother me.  I think maybe it made it worse because then I was so stressed out that they weren't there helping me and telling me it was going to be okay.  Let me tell you, there are some amazing ladies in my life that stepped up for me in ways that words will never be able to thank them for.

Tanya

Lovie...my best friend.  A few months into this journey we had that breakfast together and I could see in your eyes that you had something important on your mind.  I told you I already knew what you were going to tell me.  That you were about to be a mum for the second time.  You then said you couldn't be in the wedding because you were due days before.  I want you to know that yes, not having you there with us on that day is going to be emotional for me because I'd hoped you'd be able to see how everything came together.  BUT, even though you're not there, you will be in my heart and I know you'll be thinking about us.  And I'll be thinking of you and the new life that you're bringing into this world, another little monkey for me to spoil rotten.  I can't imagine life without you.  You've been there for me when I've needed it most and you've been honest with me to my face when I needed that too.  Even though you won't be at the wedding all the things you've done to help me get to this day will never be forgotten.  You helped Tricia give me the most gorgeous bridal shower I could have ever imagined and all the behind the scenes stuff you've been helping me with, you have no idea how you've helped me keep my sanity.  I love you to the moon and back. 

Tricia

I love you more than words.  You've become one of the most important amazing friends a girl could have ever asked for.  The things you've done for me, from planning the bridal shower, bachelorette, to the shopping trips in the city, to the late night phone calls and the texting conversations that lasted for what seemed like hours.  Yours and Jon's friendship and the love you have in your own marriage are something I will always look up to.  I will never be able to repay the kindness that you've shown me in this last year.  You are truly one of the most beautiful human beings I've ever known and I'm so blessed that you've been on this journey with me.

Amy H.
3 and a half years ago you and your amazing family came into my life through one of the things that I love most, playing basketball.  I didn't imagine then that we would have become the best of friends that we are today.  Since Wesley and I have gotten engaged the time I've spent with you has been even more special.  We've had so many talks about a lot of different things and I want you to know how much it meant to me every time you sat down with me.  Some of the stuff we talked about was really heavy, and without you telling me it's all going to be okay I'm not sure I would have believed it.  Your creative juices have helped with some of the really awesome DIY I tackled and everything you're doing to help us the day before and the day of the wedding, girl, you are a rock star!  I love, love, love you.

****

Through this process I've not only learned a lot about friendship, love and loyalty, but I've learned a lot about myself, too.  At times this journey brought out the best in me and sometimes even the worst.  It's no joke that at crunch time you and your fiance will argue.  No, seriously you will argue and you will fight and you will go to bed some nights so angry at each other.  As long as the next day you wake up more in love than you were the day before and you're able to say you're sorry and then remember why you're doing all of this and what is really important.  I'm marrying my best friend.  All of these little projects I've been working on over the last few months really don't mean anything in the bigger picture.  Yes, the controlling part of my personality is still going to hope that they are absolutely perfect and that they turn out exactly perfect, (it's something I need to work on, okay?)  But the part of me that's grown from this experience and learned (even if it only was within the last few weeks.....okay days) knows that when everyone comes to the wedding they aren't going to give a crap about any of the DIY I've been working on.  They are going to be there for Misty + Wesley, maybe the food, and maybe the drinks and the good time.  (Okay part of me hopes I get some rave reviews on some of the stuff I made)  I just know that next Saturday when we get to the venue and I see everything come together it's going to make me happy, but what is going to make my heart smile is when I get to the end of the aisle and turn the corner and see Wesley's eyes looking at mine and knowing we made it here.

Thank you to everyone that has been on this journey with me.  It's been a crazy ride.  Next time you hear from me I'll be M-EFF!!!! Mrs. Wesley Frederic <3

Until then.....

xoxo

M-DUB