It's wedding season in the store. All the brides are out looking for accessories, flowers, tiara's, veils, etc. It gives me the opportunity to talk to some cool people.
I spoke to a gal yesterday, who's friend won a radio contest for a $50,000 wedding. Of course, the catch was the wedding will be 7 days after the grand prize was announced. Talk about a whirlwind. Perhaps even a dream come true event.
Well, actually, the marriage is probably a dream come true. The wedding - to be determined. Most likely an unbelievable celebration, with all the stops pulled out. Makes me think about my first wedding all those years ago, and how different I feel about it now.
This time all I want is an intimate ceremony, at Lake Tahoe, with a small group of our best friends and family. And, I want a pretty dress. And, a big party afterwards. Did I mention the dress? Not a traditional dress, like the first time around. But, a woman wants to look/feel beautiful on certain days of her life.
Which, of course, give us pause to ponder what makes us feel beautiful. Many woman look beautiful and completely miss out on feeling beautiful too. The first time around I doubt I allowed myself to feel beautiful. Not missing that this time around.
I admit to sometime praying for the brides I help in the store, as well as wondering about them. Wondering about their sanity comes to mind often. Weddings are so tradition and media driven. But it is my hope that those marriages find a place to grow and blossom too. It's definitely something I pray for myself.
So while it's odd to be a bride in this season of my life, it also makes my heart sing. So as a bride, and for the brides, I wish them joy and strength, determination, and a great sense of humor. Patience and understanding, a lovely dress and the ability to feel lovely as well.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Go Figure
When I got married the first time - back in 1980, boy was I clueless. Okay, when I got divorced in 1999, part of me was still pretty clueless. Hurting, but clueless.
Since then, I've had ten years to find myself (I'm still a work in progress) and learn to like myself. I've been many things in life - daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, bride, wife, Mother, ex-wife, divorcee, single, single and not dating, single and dating. Single and wondering why the hell I'm dating. Seriously dating, in a commited relationship, to fiancee - again.
Wow - go figure. Life takes us on some wild rides and amazing journeys. In the process I've learned what being a partner really means. Thank God, this time around I know more, and know enough to lean on God for the rest.
I was pondering something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue today. Well, I'm sorta old, I've had some blue times, I've borrowed faith when I'd lost my own and I'm on a new journey. I believe that qualifies me to be a bride. I rather like that.
Since then, I've had ten years to find myself (I'm still a work in progress) and learn to like myself. I've been many things in life - daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, bride, wife, Mother, ex-wife, divorcee, single, single and not dating, single and dating. Single and wondering why the hell I'm dating. Seriously dating, in a commited relationship, to fiancee - again.
Wow - go figure. Life takes us on some wild rides and amazing journeys. In the process I've learned what being a partner really means. Thank God, this time around I know more, and know enough to lean on God for the rest.
I was pondering something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue today. Well, I'm sorta old, I've had some blue times, I've borrowed faith when I'd lost my own and I'm on a new journey. I believe that qualifies me to be a bride. I rather like that.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Venue Sites
It's not everyone who has the option to get married in the workplace. My boss, bless his heart, offered us a free wedding in the store during our in-house Bridal Extravaganza. Nothing like having a dog-n-pony show in the middle of several hundred other bride's shopping for their dog-n-pony show.
I love my job, but not quite that much. I know, the free popcorn is a huge incentive. You don't see that often at weddings. For food we could sample all the offerings in our fancy foods section, as long as guests made a purchase that is. Perhaps instead of gifts they could put their purchases on my fun club card? And wedding cake? Our cake decorating department could do demo's so that everyone could decorate their cake and eat it too. Oh baby, think of the possibilities! We could make our invitations and display them to sell scrapbooking products. We could have our photo's framed by, you guessed it, the framing department. Naturally, the floral department would do the flowers. I could make my own bouquet and get paid for it. Another win-win situation. Marketing could advertise the event, the local news would film and possibly we could end up on the national news. Have I mentioned I've always wanted to be a guest on the Today Show?
Ahhhh, simply a dream wedding. And we appreciate the offer. Not quite what we had in mind. But it's always fun to explore the possibilities.
I love my job, but not quite that much. I know, the free popcorn is a huge incentive. You don't see that often at weddings. For food we could sample all the offerings in our fancy foods section, as long as guests made a purchase that is. Perhaps instead of gifts they could put their purchases on my fun club card? And wedding cake? Our cake decorating department could do demo's so that everyone could decorate their cake and eat it too. Oh baby, think of the possibilities! We could make our invitations and display them to sell scrapbooking products. We could have our photo's framed by, you guessed it, the framing department. Naturally, the floral department would do the flowers. I could make my own bouquet and get paid for it. Another win-win situation. Marketing could advertise the event, the local news would film and possibly we could end up on the national news. Have I mentioned I've always wanted to be a guest on the Today Show?
Ahhhh, simply a dream wedding. And we appreciate the offer. Not quite what we had in mind. But it's always fun to explore the possibilities.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Other Side of the Table
I attended a bridal fair the other day. Not unusual because I work in the bridal industry. This time I attended as a maid of honor, for my gf, and as a bride-to-be for myself.
In all honesty it's hard to think of myself as a bride again. The current industry is geared toward the young bride. At least in my head it is. In reality too it is. Every girl dreams of her wedding. Not so much of being married as much as getting married. It is the stuff of dreams and fantasy. To this day I love to look at wedding magazines and engagement rings. Way back when I got married in the '80s it wasn't nearly the dog and pony show it can be now.
If only as much energy was invested in the relationship as dollars are invested in the ceremony. In all honesty weddings are steeped in tradition. Most brides do things by rote rather than by picking and choosing what has deep meaning to them.
This time I/we plan to soul search our way through, actually before, during and after. We plan to lean on the big guy upstairs more. Always a good course of action if you ask me. So, it was interesting to attend this bridal event. More fun than I expected, and an opportunity to weigh what has value to us.
Young brides have no hesitance in jumping into the bridal fray. I pray this "old" bride has no hesitance in finding her way too. The focus may be different the second time around, but if nothing else I've learned to celebrate wholeheartedly the joys life brings my way.
In all honesty it's hard to think of myself as a bride again. The current industry is geared toward the young bride. At least in my head it is. In reality too it is. Every girl dreams of her wedding. Not so much of being married as much as getting married. It is the stuff of dreams and fantasy. To this day I love to look at wedding magazines and engagement rings. Way back when I got married in the '80s it wasn't nearly the dog and pony show it can be now.
If only as much energy was invested in the relationship as dollars are invested in the ceremony. In all honesty weddings are steeped in tradition. Most brides do things by rote rather than by picking and choosing what has deep meaning to them.
This time I/we plan to soul search our way through, actually before, during and after. We plan to lean on the big guy upstairs more. Always a good course of action if you ask me. So, it was interesting to attend this bridal event. More fun than I expected, and an opportunity to weigh what has value to us.
Young brides have no hesitance in jumping into the bridal fray. I pray this "old" bride has no hesitance in finding her way too. The focus may be different the second time around, but if nothing else I've learned to celebrate wholeheartedly the joys life brings my way.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
And So It Begins
Four years ago it began with an on-line dating site. Actually, several sites, multiple opportunities to meet "eligible" men. Please note, eligible is a relative term! It began with hope and a dream, not to mention an excellent sense of humor. In some ways it was like culling the herd of the weak and pathetic. Always it was an adventure. It involved finding myself and defining Mr. Right. No easy task.
Now, thanks to the big guy upstairs, I find myself again a Bride-To-Be. Except at my age, I don't exactly know what that means. If I was sleek and 20 yrs old I'd hit the ground running. Heck, at 30 I could still pull off a sleeveless gown and 4 attendants. At 50-something it's a different story.
It's not all about the fairy tale. It's not all about the dress and the flowers and the countless other details. Now it's about the relationship and finding a meaningful way to celebrate that. It's knowing we both have some fears about this leap of faith we are taking. It's knowing we've been blessed with a wonderful second chance. It's knowing we'll find our way, no doubt with lots of laughter, down this new road of life.
So jump in and buckle up. It might get bumpy, it might get crazy, it might have tears of joy and mirth. I have to think that's what makes second chances so special. You just never know what will happen next. Sort of like feeling your going to vomit, but the relief when you realize it's just not going to happen.
Now, thanks to the big guy upstairs, I find myself again a Bride-To-Be. Except at my age, I don't exactly know what that means. If I was sleek and 20 yrs old I'd hit the ground running. Heck, at 30 I could still pull off a sleeveless gown and 4 attendants. At 50-something it's a different story.
It's not all about the fairy tale. It's not all about the dress and the flowers and the countless other details. Now it's about the relationship and finding a meaningful way to celebrate that. It's knowing we both have some fears about this leap of faith we are taking. It's knowing we've been blessed with a wonderful second chance. It's knowing we'll find our way, no doubt with lots of laughter, down this new road of life.
So jump in and buckle up. It might get bumpy, it might get crazy, it might have tears of joy and mirth. I have to think that's what makes second chances so special. You just never know what will happen next. Sort of like feeling your going to vomit, but the relief when you realize it's just not going to happen.
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