Mr. & Mrs. Patrick S. Topolinski

And So It Is

Here we are, the night of our wedding. We did it! It was the most amazing wedding ever in the history of all weddings. I wish I had kept up with this blog, but to be honest - it's probably better that I didn't because it was a crazy, insane time that didn't have room for one more thing that needed attention. The only regret I have over our whole wedding was the fact that we didn't have it video recorded. My goodness, how I wish we had that. The photos are amazing, and perhaps when I have more time I will post some here.

What I really want to say is this: 134 days in and I couldn't be happier being Mrs. Topolinski. It's everything I dreamed of and so so so much more! What a blessing to share an equal love with a man so rich in spirit, laughter, confidence, hope, and most of all friendship. We are having the best time right now, and I expect that to continue. So far, there is no trying. When does the trying begin? I don't know, I've been through this before and it seemed like the trying was happening from the word GO - but with Patrick, it's just different. We just fit. I knew we would. I told you, Patrick!

This is what I've learned so far: The fairytale isn't as beautiful as the real thing. Jealousy is a wasted emotion. Laughter is an actual solution. Anger is unnecessary. People will tell you that you must fight to grow - and that couldn't be farther from the truth. Romance isn't what you think it is. Your relationship is your own - the more unique, the better. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is real and easy and should never be forced. Love is more simple than I had ever imagined.

Cheers to us! I love you, Patrick. For as long as we both shall live. xo

Don't Stress Me Out, Sam

Just got off the phone with my tailor, who has been in possession of the most gorgeous wedding dress of all time since August 7th. He was out of town due to a passing of a cousin and then fell ill with the stomach flu! But he promises that he will be working on my dress and will call me at the end of this month or the first part of the next.

I asked him if I should come and pick up my dress and take it somewhere else, if that would be easier for him, and he said no no no, I'm going to do it. Really, Sam? Really? Promise me!!! PROMISE. Because the one big thing that needs to be there at the wedding - other than the people, of course - is the DARN DRESS!!

*this is my nervous face*

Time Flies

80 days.

Last night we had a big discussion - the biggest one yet - and we made a big decision. It was a decision I had already made in my heart, but one that we hadn't really talked about. And it needed to be talked about. So with that behind us, we move forward with love and a bright future.

I was supposed to drive down to Charlotte tomorrow to meet with the wedding coordinator but with the four consecutive weeks of travel that have just concluded, I cannot get from point A to point B right now. A phone conversation it is, and we will reach point B via telephone instead of in person.

I'm very tired. And I'm very overwhelmed. And life is quite messy, at the moment (literally and figuratively). But it is about to all change for the better, and I am so very, very, very excited about that. My heart is happy, even if my brain is on overdrive.

I should really be trying to eat better, too. That would help. That's always the first thing to go when life gets crazy.

The save the dates have long been sent. The invitations are sitting to my left, so beautiful and and perfect for us. The stamps are even there, just waiting to do their job. I love it! It's happening. This marriage that I've dreamt of. The funny thing, though, is that we are already living the marriage. What will change after we exchange vows? It will be official, and for some reason that matters to me so much. I will be his wife. He will be my husband. We will pronounce our love in front of God and the world.

For now, I must finalize with the caterer. I must track down my wedding dress - which is absolutely terrifying. The tailor was supposed to call me mid-September, and now it is October and he has not yet called. He needs a nudge, I suspect. I don't like that at all.

There are centerpieces to be finished and we have a plan to get the bridesmaids dresses and the flower girl/ring bearer suited up properly. I have so much done already, and I am so excited to finalize all of the details and then just ..... smoothly...... have the best wedding ever. Expectations may be a bit high. Aren't they always?

Leaving Stinks

I leave on Thursday for 18 days - a work trip. That is far, far too long to be away from Mr. Topolinski. xo

Registered!

So, did you know you can actually complete your wedding registry online at Bed Bath & Beyond? Yep.

Done and DONE!

Save the Date Madness

The big pressure since finding - AND BUYING! - the perfect dress has been the Save the Date cards. Patrick, rightfully, has placed utmost importance on these little cards, particularly since we are getting married at a time when folks are planning vacations and holiday extravaganzas. Initially, I didn't want to do Save the Dates. I don't want to do a lot of the (new) traditional things, but upon further and more rational consideration, I agreed with him. These are important if we want to give our guests a fair opportunity to attend our super fun and extremely beautiful wedding in North Carolina!

But if you're going to do Save the Dates, you need a picture - right? So that was a big hold-up for quite awhile. We aren't together very often these days, in the heat of the summer when the racing schedule is in full swing. I'm gone 90% of the time, and almost every single weekend, for work. This past weekend, however, I knew I would be home and that the weather would be great - so I knew, too, that we had to do the pictures this weekend. 

We got creative and brought my little point and shoot with a self-timer out with us on a very hot day. We drove down a tree-shaded lane and parked, trying to get shots in the middle of the road. But cars kept coming. And it was a little creepy. And on a grade that was a bit steeper than I thought it would be, so the camera was balanced not-so-safely on a blanket. Oh, and I was in a terrible mood without good reason. It wasn't really working.

And then we went to a historic park that was the site of a lookout hill in the Battle of Franklin in 1864, and hit gold. We ran around and got super hot and sweaty, but the very last photo we took was the perfect picture; we are sitting (seemingly) calmly on a bridge in a shaded wooded area, and thanks to some minor color treatment to the photo, you can hardly notice the thin film of sweat we are both wearing. 

We went to a nice dinner and cooled off after the photo adventure, and then later that night we chose the photo, made it pretty, and ordered Save the Dates. 

Then the real work began - truly determining the guest list. Late last night we refined our guest list and we are GOOD TO GO! Addresses must be obtained before the Save the Date cards arrive and can be mailed to the potential wedding guests, but that should be easy in comparison to the task of whittling down the guest list. One can hope. :)