Welcome Wagon

Since I can remember I always loved making new friends. Anytime there was a new kid at school I would eagerly go up to them and introduce myself and then probably ask them to come hang out at my house that weekend - I was such a winner.  Most of the friendships I made didn't last long. Either they couldn't take all of my awkward-JTT obsessed awesomeness, or we just had nothing in common.

Then things got real in the 7th grade. I remember the day exactly. Behind the PE building I ran up to little shy Emily Erwin and proudly asked her if she knew my name. "Ummm ..." she responded. Looking back I cringe at that memory, but thankful for it because SIXTEEN years later Emily Erwin - now Sadler - is still my bff. 

In high school we had our ups and downs (roller coaster of a year is what I wrote in Em's yearbook two or maybe three or maybe every year in a row) ... were were bff, then enemies, then frenemies, then bffs again. You know, a typical high school friendship.

Hotties, right?

We went to college in different cities, had different experiences, but still remained friends. When I moved back home from college and when that silly boyfriend of mine broke my heart, she was there for me, distracting me from all that stupid heartbreak.

We had a year or so where we didn't talk (prob one of the saddest years of my life), and we had to learn how to fix our friendship. It's hard being friends for so long and learning new boundaries, that you maybe have grown apart, and to not take everything so personally. 

And right when everything was getting just so perfect, she dropped a bomb on me: she and her hubs were moving to NOLA. Now, let me remind you that Emily has always talked about moving. I think since we became friends at the tender age of 12 she always told me it was a matter of time before she would be out of Shreveport. So, this past time when she said she and Derek were packing up and moving to New Orleans, it didn't really sink in until their going away party.

As I watched the slide show that Em's friend Alissa put together, I lost it. In public. Crying non-stop in front of tons of people as pics of Em and D played out in front of us. I think I was probably more upset about that year we didn't talk. I saw all the memories I missed out on even though I know we needed that time away from each other. After I reapplied my face, gulped down a marg, and gave Emily a hug (something that never happens - she is one of those "personal space people"), it hit me that my friend was for reals leaving me for a new town.

Since I'm a slacker, it's been almost five months since she's left, and I've already spent two fun weekends visiting her new home.

Here's to fun friendly weekends and exploring her new town (and all the food in it)!

every bride needs a val

Before Aaron even proposed to me, I would daydream about calling Valerie, an old college friend and now wedding planner, and hiring her to help plan my wedding. When the day finally came, I just couldn't contain my excitement. We talked for over an hour about ideas, locations, budgets, and flowers. I trusted her completely and let her creativity run wild. She created the most perfect wedding ceremony and reception any bride could ever ask for.

Valerie planned, designed, and executed our special day beyond our wildest dreams. She made sure everything from the save the dates, to the invites, the thank you notes, the ceremony program, the wedding reception map, the centerpieces  the photo booth backdrop,  EVERYTHING went together and was beautiful. My mom and I joked that this was Valerie's wedding, and we were just in it. She answered every email, phone call, text right away. She let me know I wasn't going crazy, that every bride goes through the same thing when I had my freak outs. And most of all she had fun with all of it. She went above and beyond her duties of a wedding planner, and I am so lucky to have had her by my side.

Because of Valerie and her sister Natalie, I didn't have to worry about a single thing on the big day. They decorate the reception, made sure everyone was on time, and didn't rest until I was down the aisle.

I really couldn't have gotten through the entire planning process or the wedding day without her. She's the very best.

Val and her sister Natalie


I'm really sad to say that Valerie no longer plans weddings. BUT she is an amazing invitation designer.
www.valmariepaper.com

Seriously, I hate tule

I guess every girl dreams of her perfect wedding dress. I don't think I really ever did. I just knew what I didn't like.

I knew I wanted to feel pretty, and I wanted Aaron to think I looked just amazing. I also had that annoying Taylor Swift song stuck in my head every time I tried on dresses. The one where she says the bride was dressed in a gown shaped like a pastry. I certainly did't want anyone associating me with food.

So, once I determined what I did (amzingness) and didn't want (pastries), I set out trying to find the perfect dress. It took three different cities and five different stores, but I found the dress of my dreams.

More pics after the break!

tigers lost, irish won, and i got married

Nine days ago I got hitched. It was such an incredible day. I was surrounded by all of my favorite people, married my best friend, and danced my ass (and pretty much the bottom of my wedding dress off). Also LSU lost to defending BCS champions, Alabama, and Notre Dame won in triple overtime as my dad walked me down the aisle. Side note - when did I learn so much about football. Who am I?

I hope to revive this blog of mine as I has promised I would a million times over. But I really do want to write down every moment of the past year or so. It's been such an amazing year getting ready for my big day, and I don't want to forget any of it. 

Highlights will include:

What? My wedding day is on some major football game day? 

Pre-wedding activities = too many whiskey and cokes

How you should never get married without a wedding planner. Mine was just extra fabulous.

Dad checking his phone for the Notre Dame score minutes before walking me down the aisle.

My perfect wedding dress.

Engagement pics, or the day I learned models don't have it so easy.

Showered with a shit ton of love - bridal showers an bachelorette party recaps

The most perfect wedding ceremony that ever existed minus my garter falling down while walking down the aisle, and how my tulle wedding dress collected dust.

Spending my wedding day with my favorite ladies.

How my brother stole the show at the reception with his rendition of Vanilla Ice.

How my uncle and Amy stole the show at the rehearsal dinner with his incredible poem and her stand up routine.

How I brought down the house at the bridesmaids breakfast. I had everyone in tears. It was amazing.

My dress came unbustled and everyone stepped on it. It's cool - I just spilled champagne all over it too. 

Post wedding day anxiety

And lots more! 

Light Housekeeping

Just a few things before I head to the beach for the Twenty Twelve Marshall Fam VaCRAYtion ...

 Today Aaron David and I celebrate our four year anniversary. Four years ago I wrote this when I was a smitten kitten, and then last year I wrote this when he popped the big question on year ago today. It's been a grand four years, and I just can't wait to be his stinking wife already.

 We also completed our wedding website. It's kinda bare bones and silly, but should you want to purchase a gift for us, or download the iPhone app to take pics at our weddings, please click here.

 Monday is my birthday. I shall spend it laying on the beach with my momma reading trashy novels and listening to the waves crash onto shore. I also hope there is a cake or ice cream involved. Also, I wouldn't mind a margarita or five.

 Happy weekend!

Aren't we just the cutest? That dang smirk.

Inspired

This summer has already been filled with all kinds of inspiration for me. Something that has certainly been lacking in my life. I've been inspired to write, to read, to decorate, in my wardrobe, in my friendships, and most importantly to say yes to new opportunities. I'm ready to put it all down on paper - err - the internet. And this time I'm doing it for myself. I'm ready to write about the kind of wife, daughter, friend, mother (not anytime soon),person I want to be and detail the person I've become. I'm ready y'all. Fantastic Lies is about to get a lot more fantastic after a year break.