Oh Dad...

Dad picked I Hope You Dance by Leanne Womack for our father/daughter dance. Who knew Dad loved country? I mean I knew he had a thing for Willie Nelson, but this is a different animal entirely.

Lyrics
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I'm not kidding anyone, even my city slickered heart has some pulled strings when I listen to it.

A good friend gave smart advice: waterproof makeup. In other practical thoughts, this sucker is 5 mins long. If I cry for that long, we'll have other issues to deal with. Good thing my makeup artist is a guest as well.

Wedding v. Marriage

The whole drama over the rehearsal dinner has gotten me to think about the differences between a wedding and a marriage. Why are they inextricably linked? Simply because the wedding is the official starting point of the marriage?

The starting point to our marriage happened already, a few weeks after FH moved in and we started living our lives together. The first few weeks after the move in were a little rough as I like my space due to the fact that I had been living by myself for a while. But after that point, we really started our marriage.

This comforts me. Thinking about standing on an altar in front of everyone I know makes me anxious, but knowing that FH and I have formed a loving partnership and live together as a team/couple/whatever you want to call it brings me such happiness and joy. It also gives me strength to deal with the drama and perspective. Perspective that I hope to use to enjoy my wedding day as simply a party with everyone coming together to celebrate us. We are willing to make sacrifices on that day, and that day alone, to make other people happy. But our lives we have only ourselves to answer to.

+ 1

I'm the proud aunt of Emma Elizabeth, 9lbs, 15 ounces, born February 4, 2009. Her skin is as pink as the room in which she will sleep. And she has mad kicking skills.

merry christmas

Am really enjoying this compilation by WFUV, in my new very own office (complete with door). Enjoy!

Birthdays and Bagpipes

Life is so hectic busy that sometimes it takes a special day to realize just how lucky you are. My birthday was yesterday and despite some major work drama, it was great. I was overwhelmed with how happy that future husband of mine makes me, how much I love him and how lucky I am.

We went to Del Posto for dinner. YUM. From the blackberry martini, to the light-as-air gnocchi, to the prosciutto de parma, to the fancy fried donuts, we were in heaven. We ate in the enoteca part, because I freaked when I saw the prices in the main dining room. One of the funniest parts was walking into the restaurant with a bunch of DEA officers. Did Mario Batali get busted for dealing? Was Lidia stuffing the gnocchi with a little extra something something? No, just their annual dinner. With bagpipes and drums.

I love me some bagpipes and drums. Had a cousin who got escorted down the aisle by a full on 6 person pipe and drum set. Note to self: make sure to get a bagpiper. Lucky me, my sister is friends with two.

The Best

My nephew is the cutest and part of the reason I moved back to NYC from DC. He inevitably had one of the best reactions to our engagement, as follows:

Connor Monster: DEE DEE, ConGRAulations!
me: Thanks Connor!
CM: When are you gonna get mawwied?
me: When you are 5, I'm going to get married and you are invited to big party!
CM (confused look, furrowed brow, look of excitement): DEE DEE! I'll be 5....TOOMOWWOW!
actual age: 3yrs and 9 months

So, it was no surprise that he, of all of my immediate relatives, had the best reaction to learning his aunt and uncle are living together. The following conversation took place when discussing a pending sleepover. Can anyone say "test child"?

CM: I want to sleep over at Aunt Dee Dee's house
Sis: Okay, but it's Aunt Dee Dee and Uncle Rob's house
CM: What?
Sis: Aunt Dee Dee and Uncle Rob live together
CM(high squeaky voice): Aunt DEE DEE and Uncle WOB live to-GET-her?!?!
**look of utter amazement**

then complete silence

i heart that little man