Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Four Days

Do you remember when there were 160 days left? This week seemed like forever away.
So, here I am.
Here I am the week of my wedding. The day I have dreamed about since oh... birth. I was the 6th grader that bought wedding magazines. I was the teenager and 20-somethinger that had file folders for dresses, flowers, centerpieces, invitations, etc. I longed for the day that I could have my dream job for a few months, and plan my own big day. I couldn't wait for the pomp, the circumstance, the cake.
So, here I am.
Here I am the week of my wedding. Will my big day look like all the torn magazine pages from my file? No. Was planning a wedding all that I thought it would be? No. Don't get me wrong, it was mostly fun with a dash of stress. Would I do it again? Of course, for a friend or for money. Do you want to know what I'm most excited about? My marriage. After years and years of looking forward to a wedding, I am absolutely thrilled beyond all excitement about my marriage. When the big party is over, I am so excited to have normal life with my husband. To have the good times, the hard times, the in between times... to just have life together. To start our own little family. To both live in the same house. To experience all that God has prepared for us in the blessing of marriage.
This week has brought a new calm to my spirit, despite the last minute party details that may or may not be addressed. This weekend our friends and family will gather around us as we say our vows and start the next chapter. Next week I'll be somewhere on a honeymoon (Did you know the trip is a surprise?), and I'll be reading New Moon, too. All I can do is take a step back, smile, and know that I am so blessed. I'm going to be a wife on Sunday.

26 comments:

Wilson Ramblings said...

We are so excited for you guys!!!!

NCJill said...

Hi!
What a sweet and honest post. I will be praying for you and Justin to have not only the perfect day, but a beautiful, Christ-filled marriage. And, BTW, when you are married you can consider yourselves a family, children or not. :)

Kristen said...

I'm so excited for you! The marriage really is the best part. I hope you have fun and enjoy your honeymoon surprise!

alyssa said...

Awww, I love the picture!!! Since I'm leaving out of town for a week tomorrow, I wish you the most beautiful wedding day!

Debbie said...

You are focused on the right things – I have no doubt you two will have a very blessed marriage.

Racquel Simone said...

Awwww....have an amazing ceremony and enjoy the rest of your lives 2gether! Congrats!

emily freeman said...

YAYAYA!!! So excited for you guys. I can't wait to see the wedding photos.

Jennifer P. said...

what a perfectly beautiful, wonderful post! I can't believe it's here already too! And despite my marriage not ending exactly like I wanted it too---I can promise you that marriage can (and will!) be everything you're anticipating now. Not always perfect, but safe and warm and comfortable. I am so happy for you!

And YES--I would love to do a guest post for you. I'm leaving for vacation on Thursday though--so it will have to be a long distance post :).

Inspired Kara said...

You have such wonderful perspective :) So often brides can forget that a marriage follows that big ceremony. I'm so thrilled for you and I'm sure you are just in a flurry of emotions this week. Enjoy every minute of it, jot done fun memories, funny quotes, take lots of pictures, remember to eat, and most importantly get pictures quickly so we can see!!!!!

heatha said...

Dude-I so totally started tearing up! I'm so excited for you both! :)

Melissa said...

Oh Girl,

I so remember! I remembered because when I "discovered" your blog I still had a bunch of days left and you had even more.

I just want to take this time to congratulate you and squeal "EEEE!!!" I'm so excited for you.

Now, here is my advice for you, but I don't want to make it long and put a damper on your excitement:

1)Get everything you can get done, done before Wednesday night. I mean it. After Wednesday night things will just fly by!

2)Consider, just consider greeting people at the church door after you have made your triumphant exit after being pronounced Man and Wife. We did this and it worked out great. We turned around after exiting the church and made it back to the doors just in time to hug our parents on their way out...and so on, and so forth. (The photographer got excellent pictures during this time. I'll post some tonight!) That way we got to speak to everyone real quick, which took the pressure off of the reception, because it is hard, but important to greet those who have come so far. Because people had to wait in line to hug us, they didn't mingle long at the door, which was great!

3)Have roles for certain people: One who makes sure each person who is to receive a corsage or boutonniere does (flower distribution), one who is a runner of sorts, one who makes sure all candles are blown out, etc. Trust me, you will love these people forever, because they will be a HUGE asset to you that day :D

4)Take at least one, but hopefully several moments in the day and say to yourself aloud, "Remember this day". You will never forget those moments if you say that. Many moments slip by forgotten, take time to remember.

5)Remember the worst thing that could happen is that you won't get married that day, but it's not going to happen! YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED! YAY! Rejoice, and be glad in the day that is at hand. Nothing else REALLY matters except you and that Man. I'm so happy for you! Lots of blessings!

Melissa said...

PS: I was past planning the wedding, and just ready to be married to Jonathan. That what it is all about.

Jana said...

I, too, was the 6th grade girl with many wedding magazines and files of wedding plans (ok, maybe i started even before 6th grade...)! Enjoy this last week of planning and don't let it stress you out! It is silly how much emphasis is placed on the wedding day and seemingly less on the actual marriage, and it can be easy to lose focus on what this is really all about! As long as you keep the Lord at the center of your wedding and marriage, you focus will be in the right place!

We look forward to seeing detail from you big day! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...
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heatha said...

This Anonymous person is getting rudely out of hand!

alyssa said...

The shelties are actually my parent's dogs (even though I picked them out a few years back when I was still living at home!!!). I also grew up with 2 other shelties :) I love them!!!! Sweetest doggies ever.

Anonymous said...

Wow--I'm soo excited for you two!! I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about it!

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Anonymous said...

I love that the dog is in on the proposal.

Good luck to you, tho you hardly need it. You will be a beautiful bride, and an even lovelier wife.

My First Kitchen said...

Can't wait. CAN'T. WAIT. And the wedding will be great, too. :)

Unknown said...

Lauren I can't believe you are getting married on Saturday! (JUST 3 DAYS!) YAY! I had better bring the tissues, b/c I started tearing up just reading this post! You are and always have been like a little sister to me and I am sooo excited and happy for you and Justin! I can't wait to see pictures from the Honeymoon! You really don't know where you're going? Who planned it? How exciting! :)

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Lee said...

I am tickled pink for you and your beloved. I also love that YOU GET IT! It isn't the wedding day...it's every day after. Your wedding will be beautiful but I can almost guarantee it will all be a blur...except for that moment when you walk down the isle and see your man standing there, eyes watery and expectant, waiting for YOU.
Congratulations!!!!
(lurker, outed by your sweet sweet post.)

Liz Harrell said...

I am so so excited for you Lauren. Good luck, and we all look forward to seeing some great pics! :)

TupeloLove said...

SQUEEEE!!!! You must so excited!!

I tagged you on my blog, so come and check it out!

Kimba said...

Hey girl! I'm sure you're running around like a madwoman.

I wanted to pop over and wish you the absolute best for your wedding. I know you are going to be gorgeous and I can't wait to see some pictures!

Have a wonderful day and I will pray for your wedding and, more importantly, your marriage.

Kimba