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!