Guests

I have all but begged my big little sister to attend the wedding. The guest list is becoming quite large, but there is a small list of those whom I really, really want to share this day with. 

My sister is on that list.

To sort of veer off and ramble for a minute: It's so strange, this phenomenon of wedding planning. Who are you really doing it for? What's truly important? Is it for you, or is it for the guests? And how many guests are you supposed to have? What's right? Who will feel left out? Would anyone? Would everyone? 

Really, if this day is for us - why does any of that matter? Anytime you do anything outside of yourself, though, people are invited to feel something about it. That's just the nature of life, right? I don't know, I guess I'm just feeling a little worried that the people I want to be there won't be there - except I didn't really realize that I wanted anyone to be there. Initially, it really was just about us. But then it became about who we want to share it with, this day that is the most special day of our lives together so far. You do want to share it. You do. I do, anyway.

I remember when I first realized how much I loved Patrick, I wanted to tell EVERYONE. I was so excited about this crazy awesome feeling and so excited that I was feeling this towards that particular person. 

Maybe it's a little bit of pride. "Look how smart I am to have fallen in love with this particular man. Isn't he best-ever?!"

Whatever it is, I want to share it. With the world, yes, but especially with the people who have been closest to me throughout my life.

395 days!

The Arbors

We ventured out this past Sunday to a beautiful venue called The Arbors. It is right here in our little part of North Carolina, only about a half hour (or less!) from where we live. I told him on the way there that I was going to fall in love with it and proclaim that it was perfect, simply because that is my style. But I asked him to please remind me not to commit to it because we had to go to Castle Ladyhawke first. I have this thing - I don't know quite how to explain it, other than to say that I fall in love with places, things, and yes, sometimes people, rather quickly. Immediately, in many cases. Patrick is much more methodical in that regard, but I jump right in with my whole heart. I love you, I love you, I love you "The Arbors." It's true. I fell in love.

We first viewed the pavilion, which was pretty, but not breathtaking. Then we went to the area that they call "the Main." It has an adorable little house with magnificent wood beam features inside. It's so wonderfully designed that I wanted to move right in. That would be where we would get ready for our big day, and we are welcome to rent the house for the weekend to prepare and also then to sleep the night of the wedding. We could even have a brunch there with the family in the nice kitchen.

Next to the house is a banquet type of facility that is just absolutely gorgeous. You walk in and there is light streaming through the many windows and there are big arches to the right made of stone. It brings stone and wood together so beautifully, and even sort of reminds me of a castle. Bonus! There is an oversized stone fireplace where we can get married in front of a roaring fire, and there is a fire pit outside for roasting  marshmallows or  keeping warm. Through the windows you can see a big pond and the forest all around. It's on 120 acres or so and is just stunning. I loved it. I did.

Next up is Castle Ladyhawke next Sunday. It's about 3.5 to 4 hours from our home, and the bar has been raised quite high. Show us what you've got, Castle Ladyhawke! Because right now I'm feeling pretty in awe of the Arbors.

This is nerve wracking! Yet thrilling! So so so so exciting!

The Hanger

I ordered a hanger for my wedding dress and received it a couple of weeks ago in the mail. It is a wooden hanger with a white bow at the hook, and suspended between the ends is my future name in a flowing cursive font.

The soft metal is bent so thoughtfully. It's beautiful and I love it.

Mrs. Topolinski.

Now I just need the dress!

Home

I have made it to North Carolina, and I have settled in quite quickly. It seems that the last time I was here, it became home. And I really didn't notice - until I returned this time and finally felt at home. Like, for real. None of that saying it and not meaning it stuff. This is home.

Part of it is probably that all of my things have arrived, and now our kitchen is completely assembled to include everything I could possibly need to make dinners and desserts and breakfasts and everything in between. Cooking and baking has a way of making a place feel like home, doesn't it?

But really? Mr. Topolinski is what makes this home. No amount of material goods or homey-type kitchen duties could make my heart feel the way it does when we are standing together, heart to heart, in the middle of what we now consider "our house."

He called me his wife the other day. I heard him. It was unmistakable, and I swear to you, it was accompanied by strains of Mendelssohn, or perhaps Wagner. :)