The Spice Girls, Marriage, and Other Things

Dear Amy,

Let's do this.

We did. Photo credit: Erica Hampton

I had already said "I do," kissed my husband, listened to the toasts, cut the cake, danced with my dad, and had spent some of the first moments of my married life on the dance floor, dancing like a fool. And then. The Backstreet Boys showed up. Or, more accurately, Jon and four of his guy friends. Dancing (Jon's dance was complete with thumbs hooked on the suspenders) and singing their hearts out to 'Backstreet's Back.' I wasn't the only one laughing harder than I'd ever laughed before.

And then, my sister ran over to me and grabbed my arm. "I think the Spice Girls are here too." That was all she had to say. We ran to the DJ who promptly cut the boys song for a special announcement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have just been informed that the Spice Girls are here. Sorry boys..." And the lyrics to 'Wannabe' blasted through that barn. My bridesmaids and I took center stage and gave it to The Backstreet Boys. Game, Set, Match.

Oh Amy. This week is going to be fun. First of all, congratulations on five years. That is SO exciting. What are you going to do to celebrate? Jon and I always say we're going to take a mini-honeymoon every five years. I think you guys could use one too. Maybe back to Hawaii. Just do it.

Okay, so you eloped five years ago. (Oh my goodness, have I ever told you how jealous I am of that?! Seriously. I loved my wedding, and the way we did everything, but would I have said no to an extra sweet little ceremony with just us two? Absolutely not.) Why? Was it a military thing? What about your reception? Do you celebrate that date? Tell me all about BOTH of these weddings. Please?

I'm with you. I obviously love weddings. I mean, it's my day job. But marriages are where it's at. (Please forgive the preposition at the end of that sentence.) I love seeing two lives meld into one. Two people grow into better friends, lovers, partners. It's the most important relationship you get to choose in your whole life, and I love to see it work so well.

Right before our first night out!

We did celebrate our anniversary last week, and since we were staying at my father's house, it will be very easy for me to keep the recap PG. Ha. I wore the same dress I wore last year, and felt SO skinny, considering last year Harry was wearing that dress too. I loved it. I love dressing up (do you?). We went out to Chop House in Ann Arbor, MI (have you been there? OMG) and had, without a doubt, the best steak of our lives. And best French onion soup, and wedge salad, and scallops... I'm drooling.

But it was also the first time we had ever left Harry. Both of us. At the same time. To say I was nervous is an understatement. I knew my dad and stepmom had it under control. They had raised 5 of us, and they love that kid something wild. But Harry has been doing this thing where he wakes up 3/4 hours after he goes down to eat again. So I was worried, considering I had no bottles to leave, and I was taking the milk source with me. He did awesome though. We put him to sleep before we left, and he had moved only enough to open one hand the whole time we were gone. What a relief.

I can't wait to hear more about your wedding. How was planning from afar? We did the same thing. It was a blessing because we didn't really have many options to be picky... but tough because I always dreamt about planning my wedding, and I was a little sad to miss out on some of the planning aspects. How did the logistics work for planning TWO weddings?

xoxo my friend,
Mallory

PS Our vacation was great. Too busy. Way too busy. But so great to see family, and so so wonderful to be in Michigan this time of year. I feel like I could write a whole post about the fireflies and the fireworks and the bonfires and the weather (oh the weather. So much better than Mississippi). I miss it already.