From Mushy to Mrs.

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As of today, we are 117 days from our wedding. When the “four months left!” email popped up last month I got excited. I mean, I was excited before, but now it seems that this wedding might really happen—and soon! After a year and a half of planning, it almost seemed like a figment of my imagination.

Though I’m not a very emotional person and I don’t consider myself a crier, I’ve started to get very sentimental and emotional about everything wedding related. I have mentioned before that the majority of the planning is done, so now I feel a little like I can sit back and just go over the details and enjoy the fun things to come. I still watch endless hours of “wedding weekends” on TLC, but now I cry watching each and every one. We recently picked wedding songs for our first dance and parents dances, and again--- tears. Apparently the thought of my upcoming nuptials makes me especially sensitive to just about everything wedding-related.

Those aren’t the only things that have me in an emotional state. I tried my wedding dress on last week, and we picked out a dress for my future mother-in-law to wear to the wedding. You may remember that when I purchased the dress in August it didn’t meet around the waist--- with about four inches between zippers. Well, those four inches are gone and my dress fits like a glove. Though I wasn’t emotional the first time I tried it on and chose it, I was when seeing the complete picture--- shoes, earrings, veil, and a dress that zips. All my worries that I may not like it anymore were washed away.

As a teacher turned school administrator, I’m pretty attached to my last name. I heard it over and over again every day for five years from hundreds of kids, sometimes to the point of being sick of it! I think, however, the “don’t-know-what-you-got-‘til-it’s-gone” theory applies here.

Having a tough name like Alyn Wharmby (Al-an Warm-bee), I always expected my married name would get easier. I would, of course, end up with something simple like Smith or Miller. Unfortunately, fate had other plans, and I now face a lifetime of being Mrs. Szymanski (S-uh-man-ski), another virtually unpronounceable name. Since I’m choosing the more traditional route and changing my last name, I have grown more and more attached to it. I’m even considering (another) tattoo—this time with a little dedication to the name that was (don’t tell my grandmother!).

And no, I promise I’m not overly emotional because I’m pregnant. I think that it all simply comes down to being overwhelmed by how lucky I am to have not only a fantastic and loving soon-to-be husband, but two wonderfully supportive families and friends who will all come together for the wedding and the festivities. To be able to have a lavish event surrounded by those we love in tough economic times and with everyone traveling means the world to us. Not to mention all the efforts by those who have thrown us showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, engagement parties and the like.

I’m sure the tears won’t stop over the course of the next four months, and that ‘the big day’ will bring many more. I challenge you brides (and others) to take a moment to put aside stress and realize how truly lucky you are.

May your week bring you a chance for happy tears!

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