License to Wed

I stayed home sick from the j-o-b today and all I really wanted to do was relax in bed, watch trashy reality tv and take naps. But, time is money these days, so I knew I had to at least get a couple of things checked off the 'ole to-do list.

Since Kyrin had already planned to take some time off work to meet me at the courthouse to get our marriage license, I knew that was something I couldn't avoid doing today. At least it got me out of bed and into the real world for a bit.  The actual process was pretty anti climactic. We got there, went through security (where the plates in Kyrin's arm actually DID make the metal detectors go off) and headed up to the 3rd floor of the good old Judicial Center. It's always weird to walk through those halls. I have never been arrested and my last speeding ticket was almost fifteen years ago. But, there's something about walking through that place that makes me feel like I am in trouble.  Anyway, anxieties aside, we got to the small office and waited for a few short minutes while two other couples got their licenses. Then, it was finally our turn.

I don't know why I thought it would be more dramatic.  A part of me thought, "Oh they are going to be so excited for us and we are going to have to sign so much paperwork and blah blah blah." But the truth is, the lady probably couldn't have cared less (although she did give us a quick congrats on our way out) and we only had to sign one piece of paper and raise our hands promising we were who we said we were.  Regardless, I have to say I was happy with the speediness of the whole thing and it definitely feels good to cross off that (very necessary) item from the checklist.

48 days and counting, y'all.

I. Can't. Wait. :)

Oysters, Shrimp and Beer...Oh My!

One thing no one ever told me about getting engaged was how much I'd be staring at my hand. I mean really, as many of you know I made it VERY clear to Kyrin that I did NOT expect an engagement ring. I'm a firm believer that the most symbolic piece of jewelry I'll ever wear is my wedding band. But, now that I have this amazing bling on my finger, I'm not giving it back. Ever. So, since so many have asked for a better view, here she is in all of her Neil Lane glory ;) B-dubs, this picture does not do her justice whatsoever.

Another thing I didn't realize is how many questions I'd be asked about the day it happened. I've been asked countless times how Kyrin popped the question. Don't get me wrong, reliving that moment is something that will never grow old in my book but I figured if I document that day that maybe that will, for one, answer it for everyone and secondly, let it be a piece of our story that our children can one day read (in case I'm so old that I forget by then lol). So here goes nothing. 

It was Thursday, September 12, 2013. We were vacationing in the OBX and had spent the day poolside with our best friends. We decided early in the week that we wanted to dedicate one night for just us so after some much needed showers we ventured out. After trying to get into two different restaurants for a late lunch/early dinner, we decided to head to our favorite OBX eatery, Awful Arthur's, to get our usual oyster, shrimp and beer combo. 

After lots of food and great conversation, we headed over to this tower that overlooks the water where we spent hours during our first vacation to the area, years before. It was super windy and hard to talk so back to the car we headed after about 30 minutes of trying to control my hair long enough to snap a decent photo. In all my time at the OBX, we'd never visited Jockeys Ridge so we decided to see what all the fuss is about. Let me tell you something about sand dunes: they aren't easy to climb up. The sand is soft, hot and never ending. We all know Kyrin loves his exercise but this was not for me. Kyrin will tell you now that he thought he'd lost me in that moment. While I didn't complain (much), it was a doozy. I was exhausted after dune number one and down we came. In retrospect, I give him a lot of credit for being so patient with me and am super grateful for the bottle of water he stopped for on our way back. Anyway, I digress. So, we are headed back to the house and he mentions that on one of his morning runs (how are we a couple?!) he had found this really cool spot overlooking the water. He wanted to take me there so I could see it. Now, many would have thought by this point there was something fishy going on. Not me. Kyrin loves him some nature so I never question when he wants to take me to places like this. Most times I roll my eyes at what a geek he is. We are heading over there and I notice that he's getting super annoyed at this Prius that is driving super slow in front of us. I tell him it's no big deal....we're at the beach, it's slow here! Again, I think nothing else of this aside from "what a grump". We get to his spot and park. We walk through a small wooded path and get to the pier which overlooks the Sound. 

Let me tell you, it's beautiful. The sun was setting (behind some clouds but still partially visible) and there was a calmness that only the Sound can give you. We walked to the end and stood there together looking at the water and chatting about life. He looks to me and says that he is so sorry this isn't even more beautiful for me. I tell him I love it and that just being with him is enough for me. He takes my hand and starts to turn me around. As I'm turning, he is getting down on one knee. Now, I'll be honest, this moment has played out in my head more times than you can imagine. Since I met Kyrin I wondered what it would be like, how I would react. But I never, ever, ever thought I'd do what I did. I asked him if he was serious, he nodded yes. I asked him if this was really happening, he said yes. And then, I lost it. I bawled. I couldn't explain to you what came over me.  It was this rush of emotions and like a movie of our life together played suddenly in my head. I felt the kind of love you think only happens in movies. I know, it's super corny but it's the God's honest truth. In that moment I fell in love with Kyrin even more than I knew possible. He said a lot next. And I'd be lying if I said I remember it all. It's funny, too, cause I always told him the proposal and his words were more important to me then a ring.  And then here comes the day and I can barely listen because I just want to hug him and kiss him and say yes already. 

But, I waited and tried to concentrate. I remember him saying that I'm his best friend and how he can't imagine life without me by his side. He said he wanted babies with me....and puppies (which I found so incredibly sweet). And, while Kyrin will deny this till the day he dies, he shed a little man tear. Maybe it was the idea that he was now ending his single life for real that made him shed a tear (lol). I like to think that it's because his life was just beginning. Anyway, and then he pulled out a box and said those five words I've been dreaming about since April 22, 2006. I didn't even look at the ring. I just couldn't wait to hug him. Before I could say yes he told me he was sorry he made me wait so long. I told him he was worth the wait and then I said YES!! 

After I was calm and the tears were dry, I bombarded him with questions. He told me he had asked my parents (AND brother) for their blessing. He told me how he'd customized the ring (which he did an amazing job at on his own!!). He told me how his face hurt from all the kisses my mom had planted on him when she found out. And how he even got his Dad to crack a big smile when he told them his plans. 

I am literally the happiest girl in the world right now. Knowing that I'm marrying my partner in crime, drinking buddy, cornhole partner, football companion, my biggest advocate, and my best friend in the world is what has kept this smile on my face for the last six months.  

That, and this constant reminder on my finger of course. ;)

These Are My People

In this day and age it seems like everything has to be a production. It used to be a bride would just ask her girls to be a part of her big day without the need for a gift or big gesture. But, with Pinterest keeping us crafty gals in check, things have changed. And I, for one, LOVE it. Any excuse I get to channel my inner Martha Stewart I will take it.

I wanted to ask my girls to be a part of our wedding day in a unique way. I toyed with many different ideas and ultimately I decided to gift them each with a personalized letter and a piece of jewelry. At first, I thought I'd just go buy something but then I realized that the DIY approach is definitely more me and what they'd each probably appreciate more. So, off to Etsy I went. I found some cute yellow stones that made perfect sense with my wedding colors. Then, I wanted something that spoke to our awesomeness as women. I stumbled on some adorable charms that have one of my favorite quotes ever on them: "Well behaved women rarely make history". I needed one more charm to complete each set so I picked up some feather charms that represent virtue (and are also a nod to Kyrin's Native American roots). They didn't take too long to put together and I love how they turned out:

Of course these necklaces wouldn't be complete without the proper wrapping. I bought some necklace holders off another Etsy seller and wrapped them up in tissue paper. Then I took a trip to Michaels to buy boxes and scrapbook paper to add a pop of white to the top of each box. Then, I used some twine I had on hand to complete the package. Finally I added an extra touch to the package that really spoke to my humorous side because I knew my letters might invoke a few tears and I wanted these important gals to have a good laugh too:

Now, I have to admit, in many ways I like the traditional aspects of weddings but in so many ways, I think its important to have traditions that work for you. So, I decided long ago to have a MAN of honor because my best friend on the planet happens to be my little brother, Danny. For his gift, I knew I had to do something different. Not only because of his role but because let's face it: I can't exactly expect him to have the same appreciation for the jewelry my ladies got. Anyway, D has a love for puzzles and that gave me the perfect idea for his little gift. I took to the Internet and found a few sites that make custom puzzles. I got a few photos of us together and created my puzzle and even added the wording I needed. In retrospect, I wish I had picked pictures from different times in our lives but hey he still loved it and that's all that mattered to me!

I am so excited that they all said YES!! I love these people so much and they have each played such an important part in the journey Kyrin and I have been on. I cannot wait to make more amazing memories with them and to have them stand beside me as I marry the man of my dreams. 

 

See ya soon,

 

T-Fig

T.G.F.P....I think.

Wedding planning takes a lot of...well, you. So much time goes into attempting to perfect what is potentially the most important day of your life.  I went into this whole thing with the thought that I wanted the most simplest of days.  But, the reality is that when you're DIY'ing a large majority of your decor, it's not simple.  Sure, the look will feel simple, and maybe the actual process is easy, but it's the work you have to put into looking effortless that is time consuming.  TGFP (Thank God for Pinterest).  If it weren't for Pinterest how would any bride survive, right? Wrong! There are just WAY too many great ideas on there and it's incredibly overwhelming to a DIY bride.  I mean, sure, I have been able to capture some great ideas and put my own spin on them, but when there are millions of options how do you pick just enough without looking like your wedding is just a mish mosh of Pinterest pins? I guess I shouldn't complain; I've heard from so many of my friends that they wish it had been around for their big days.  But, in some sense, I feel like we lose individuality when we are all pulling from the same place to create our "unique" weddings.  I know my best friend and I struggle with it daily.  We'll come up with ideas steal stuff from Pinterest, only to realzie the other one was already doing that same thing.  While that could be ok, with our weddings only two weeks apart (yes we are nuts), it just simply doesn't work.  Luckily the communication lines are pretty open so it's something we can talk about and move past it without any hair pulling.

At this point in the planning, I am in crunch time.  With 59 DAYS left, all my efforts are going into crafting.  So far, I've wrapped mason jars in burlap, lace and twine. Yup, that's my huge accomplishment.  Maybe I just am not quite at the "it's really happening" point. 

Reality check: It's really happening.

In the meantime, stay tuned for more wedding stuffs.  My life will be jam packed full of projects and fun in these next two months so I promise to be more chatty.

See ya soon,

T-Fig

TMI TAG

Someone randomly asked me to fill out the TMI Tag so I figured why not! :)

1: What are you wearing?
- black pants, green lace top and a leopard print scarf

2: Ever been in love?
- absolutely

3: Ever had a terrible breakup?
- indeed

4: How tall are you?
- 5'4 and a half :P

5: How much do you weigh?
- ask me again in 3 months lol

6.: Any tattoos?
- nope

7: Any piercings?
- 5 (2 in one ear, 3 in the other)

 8: OTP?
- no idea what this is

9: Favorite show?
- Of all time? Friends

10: Favorite bands?
- too many to name anything classic rock, 80's or country top the list though

11: Something you miss? .
- warm weather

12: Favorite song?
- Don't Stop Believin

13: How old are you?
- 31

14: Zodiac sign?
- Leo

15: Quality you look for in a partner?
- sense of humor

16: Favorite Quote?
- so many but one of them is "belief is the truth held in the mind; faith is the fire in the heart"

17: Favorite actor?
- so many but probably Adam Sandler

18: Favorite colors?
- yellow, grey and white

19: Loud music or soft?
- depends on my mood

20: Where do you go when you’re sad?
- my room

21: How long does it take you to shower?
- 10-15 minutes

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
- depends on whether I'm washing my hair (20 minutes if not, 40 if yes)

23: Ever been in a physical fight?
- nope (I hate fights)

24: Turn on?
- wittiness

25: Turn off?
- people who talk about others behind their backs

26: The reason I started blogging?
- cause I like to write

27: Fears?
- heights, roller coasters, icy roads, and not being respected

28: Last thing that made you cry?
- hearing that someone talked poorly behind my back

29: Last time you said you loved someone?
- this morning

30: Meaning behind your blog name?
- just means that rather than waiting for "someday" to do something, I want to take advantage of today

31: Last book you read?
- Divergent (reading it now)

32: The book you’re currently reading?
- reading the Divergent series now

33: Last show you watched?
- Are You The One

34: Last person you talked to?
- Kyrin

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?
- my fiance

36: Favorite food?
- BBQ or steak/potatoes (close tie)

37: Place you want to visit?
- Uruguay (as an adult cause I don't remember it)

38: Last place you were?
- My car

39: Do you have a crush?
- Yes

40: Last time you kissed someone?
- Last night

41: Last time you were insulted?
- Eh not sure, I don't feel insulted easily. Probably when I found out I was being talked about lol!

42: Favorite flavor of sweet?
- Sour candy

43: What instruments do you play??
- none

44: Favorite piece of jewelery?
- my engagement ring

45: Last sport you played?
- Beer pong

46: Last song you sang?
- If You're Going Through Hell

47: Favorite chat up line?
- no clue

48: Have you ever used it?
- nope

49: Last time you hung out with anyone?
- Last night

50: Who should answer these questions next?
- anyone really lol :)

That's all folks! :D :D :D I promise I will start posting again soon! I have been crazy busy but have a few ideas lined up <3