"What are you doing Wednesday?"

We see Joy a lot more often now that we live much closer to each other. It's nice that she drops in a lot. She called me up on a Monday morning a couple weeks back and asked me what I had going on on Wednesday. Aside from babysitting the girls that night and school with the boys in the morning, I told her I was free. She then asked if I'd like to be a witness when she and JT got married Wednesday morning.

I find that I often laugh at inappropriate times. I think it's a nervous habit I exhibit when I'm at a loss for actual words. That's what I did when Joy told me her news. I laughed. After our conversation ended and I had an opportunity to digest the news, I called her back to apologize, and I think I was able to find the congratulatory response that would have been more appropriate during our first conversation.

I wasn't surprised that Joy and JT were getting married, I think it was just a shock to hear it was two days away. I guess I had always figured I would have more notice. Carrie called me later on, and we put our heads together to try and piece together the makings of a more memorable day for them. Carrie happened to have a perfect dress for Joy to wear, we were able to get flowers to make a bouquet for her, and with less than an hour to spare before stores closed the night before, Joy and I hit the mall hard to find shoes and stockings for her to wear with the dress.

Short notice and all, I was honored to be with my sister and witness her marriage. I think Carrie and I were probably feeling the same emotions, especially since we both got married without each other there. It was a big deal that we could be there with Joy.

I love Joy fiercely, and I'm so happy for her. I hope that Joy and JT's marriage is one full of wonderful shared experiences that they'll look back on each year with great memories. Love you both!

Something special along Lake Superior

Lyndsay's and Bud's wedding was held at the Lutsen Resort along Lake Superior. It was incredibly beautiful! After a couple of drinks to unwind from the long drive from the airport, followed by a nap in the car, I woke up just in time to meet up with the girls who were headed down to the lake. There was a bonfire on the shore of the lake and I had the chance to meet Lyndsay's friends and family. Everyone was so nice and so much fun to be around.

I was fortunate enough to be able to stay at the last minute with 3 super awesome women! Jack, (who was the only one there I already knew), Mel, and Karen. Lyndsay stayed overnight in the room with us and we had a little jacuzzi party, drank margaritas, and had some good quality girl talk. It had been years since I had seen Jack and about 2 since I had seen Lyndsay. Some of my most memorable single days include my adventures with Lyndsay and Jack. It felt so great to be there with them.

The day of the wedding I didn't know what to expect. I thought I would end up being in the way, but instead I was fortunate enough to be able to help out a bit. Curling hair may not seem that exciting, and it may seem silly, but I was as happy as a pig in poop to be curling my friend's hair on her wedding day.

The wedding itself was very simple and very special which reflects Lyndsay all the way. I was so incredibly fortunate to be present. Lyndsay is just an awesome person, and there's no other way I could ever make anyone who doesn't already know her see that about her, aside from just stating it. I don't know Bud except from what I've heard about him from Lyndsay, but I have to believe that he's a very good man in order for him to have Lyndsay as his wife. I'm so very happy for them both, and I wish them all the very best that marriage has to offer.

And to my friend and partner in life: Darius, there's no way I can adequately express how extremely grateful I am to you for graciously handling up on the boys and giving me the opportunity to be there at my friend's wedding. I have some very special memories now that I'll have with me forever, and you're at the root of them. I love you, thank you!

Le congratulazioni a una molto bella coppia!

I'm just as choked up today looking back on Carrie's and Bobby's reception, as I was on the actual day. I still get teary eyed at the thought of how beautiful Carrie looked in her dress.

All around the room there were photos of them from their wedding day, and trip to Italy. Yes, I wish I could have been there to share the day with them, but in a way I know that it was best that I wasn't there. That day was just for them, and it's the way it should have been.

Their reception was simple and relaxed which reflects their tastes perfectly. They're still the same great couple as they were before they got married, but it was nice they gave their families a reason to come together and celebrate. Carrie detests the spotlight, but she handled it so well.

The cake was even a hit. I just wish they would have cut it sooner, so that it wasn't on display for as long as it was. There were 4 different flavors, and I think the majority of the guests tried about every kind. There was lemon cake with raspberry preserves and lemon buttercream, chocolate cake with cherry and white chocolate buttercream, white almond cake with coconut custard and key lime mousse, and white almond cake with caramel apple and cinnamon sugar cream cheese. I was happy that people forgot about how the cake looked and loved how it tasted instead. Bobby was even sweet and didn't smash cake in Carrie's face. You're a good man Bobby!!

I'm so happy for them! Congratulations to a beautiful couple!

What was I thinking?!

Okay, so here's the post I've been dreading. I'll admit it, I'm a bit of a perfectionist. It's so not a good trait either. If I can't do something exactly the way I envision it, I consider my attempt a failure.

The day of Carrie's and Bobby's reception started out with me frantically trying to put together their wedding cake after a brief sleep of 4 hours. Everything started out as I had planned. I had all the cakes, fillings, and frosting made ahead of time, and the night before the reception I started building the cake. I had planned to make a 4-tier cake and an additional sheet cake. The sheet cake was the first build, and I realized after I was finished with it (and not too happy with the results) that I was in serious trouble. I had absolutely no experience in building a 4-tier cake, not to mention the decorating techniques I was about to attempt, and I knew there just wasn't enough time for me to pull off what I wanted to do.

I found the design of the cake I wanted to make on Wilton's website. It didn't seem to complicated, but as soon as I had the first layer done (again not happy with the results) I knew I needed a plan B, C, and D. I ended up resorting to plan D which was basically a 4-tier layer cake with frosting slapped on it.

In the midst of my frantic cake making I had Ben who wasn't feeling well, my lovely sister Carrie who should have been off getting pampered and instead was helping me with the boys, not to mention keeping me sane, a messy kitchen from hell, and hairy legs that had to be shaved before the reception.

I was trying my best to keep my cool. The last thing I wanted was to cause my sister any unnecessary stress or to embarrass her with a hideous wedding cake or no wedding cake at all. Carrie said all the right things and gave me hugs at all the right times. She turned it all around with her positive attitude, a beer, and some lovely scented lotion.

By the time we were supposed to leave for the reception, there was a cake loaded and ready to go. It wasn't the perfect cake I envisioned my sister having at her reception, but the experience taught me a good lesson. I can't expect perfect results without a little trial and error first. Besides, Carrie still loved her imperfect cake and imperfect sister, and I couldn't really ask for more than that.

Mr. & Mrs. Bruhn

It's Friday morning in Florence Italy, by the time I wake up tomorrow morning my sister Carrie will be married. I'm choked up and teary and my stomach is just churning away. I may be getting a taste of what it felt like to her when she wasn't able to see me get married. I wish I had the words to express how excited I am for her at this moment. I want more than anything to simply hug her across all the miles in between us right now, and tell her I love her.

I was trying to find a suitable poem or quote for the occasion (since I often like to borrow better words than my own) and these words seemed to strike the right chord:

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance,

A church filled with family and friends.

I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,

He said one that would make me his wife.

-Author Unknown

At the end of the day, regardless of how big or small the event is, the most important thing is that there are two people willing to move forward together as a team until the end.

Carrie - I absolutely love you to pieces, and I couldn't be happier for you! I'm there in spirit with you, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness with Bobby.

Bobby - I love you for how well you love my sister and for the way you treat her. You're gold in my book, and I'm so happy to have you as a brother.