On To The Next Chapter

I have a husband, ya'll! It's FINALLY starting to sink in!

These past few days, heck, weeks have been such a whirlwind. Work'in, mom'in, wedding plan'in--- I thought that by just doing a 'celebration dinner' with family and close friends, it wouldn't be as stressful as planning a full blown wedding. Turns out it is, that is if you try to do it in just a couple of weeks time, which is what I did. But you know what? It was totally worth it! 

This weekend was one of the best of my life. It was so fun, so simple, and so beautiful. I enjoyed spending time with family and friends, I couldn't have asked for better weather, the food, decor, and location was amazing, but more importantly, I can't believe that I'm married to the man of my dreams! The happiness I feel is more than I ever thought was possible. The only thing that could have made this weekend better would have been if I could have celebrated with my sweet cousins, but I have no doubt they were with me in spirit.

When I began my journey as a single mom, I really believed that it would just be me and Talon forever. When I dated, there was always just something missing. I thought maybe I had missed my chance at finding love. I was sooooo wrong. It all changed in one night. And nothing has ever felt more right. 

It will happen when you least expect it, they say. 

Well, they were right.

I've enjoyed my journey these past five years as a single mom, but I'm so excited to close that chapter and begin this new chapter with my new family. 

 Now what to change the title of my blog to? 

My final post as a 'single mom' will be what I've learned... Stay tuned for that one. Should be very interesting.

Somebody Is Getting Married!!

.................. and that somebody is ME! (and TJ) 

As excited as I am, this was a difficult decision to make. Not the getting married part, that part was easy, but the when and the how. We had originally decided to get married in September, but then went back and forth trying to decide if it was the right thing to do.  As mentioned in a recent post, it just doesn't feel right to celebrate something that my aunt and uncle will never get to share with their children. Should we still go through with our original plans? Should we wait until next year to get married? Should we still get married in September but have a reception next year? After a lot of thinking, talking, and praying, I realized that no matter how much time passes, there will always be moments and events that unfortunately will be emotionally difficult for my aunt and uncle and our family in general. So the right thing to do is to enjoy the good times, the good moments, and the good events, and that's just what we are going to do. 

I decided to forgo an actual wedding ceremony. Now you may be thinking, 'That's the most important part!" Well, yeah, I get that, and it will still happen, just not in the traditional way. A wedding ceremony is essentially when you exchange rings and vows, the promise to love and care for each other forever and ever. That's something I had vowed a long time ago when I realized TJ was it. In my eyes, we are just making it official, and will do so in the presence of our parents, Talon, and our best guy and best girl. What I'm most concerned about is celebrating this commitment with our family and close friends. There isn't a time that I'm happier than when I'm with my entire family. And that's all I want- to celebrate the good times, and appreciate the good times and the good moments.  We aren't going to have the traditional wedding ceremony and reception. Instead, we are going to have a wedding celebration. And it feels right.

It's exciting to FINALLY come to a decision that I feel good about. What's not exciting is the planning, or lack thereof. The tent, table, and chairs have been rented buuuuuuuuut that's about it. Did I mention this is happening in 19 days? I do have my dress. Invites should go out this week. Should. I know who I want to do the catering. I do know whose doing the cake/cupcakes. I know who's going to help with decorating. I mean, I've got it all figured out in my head AND have some things pinned on my Pinterest account. Doesn't that count for something? I'm really not too stressed about it, that's because I have a family full of party planners and I have full confidence in them. :) 

All I'm really concerned about is being surrounded by our family and close friends, all 75 of them.

Oh and did I mention we are having this at mom and dad's new house? You know, the house they still haven't moved into yet?  I thought it would be a fun way to break it in. :)