One Year

Yesterday, my Ned and I celebrated our one year anniversary. Crazy, huh? One year together and we are planning our wedding. What I always tell people when they comment on the fact that its been such a short time is, "when you know, you know." Its pretty simple actually.

I think we both knew right away we were smitten. Our first date was a blind date and even though I like to say that I wasn't so sure about him in the beginning, I also have to admit that I called my dad right after that date to tell him about it. Thats how I know, I know he's the one.

The first couple weeks I joked about all the "red flags" and how I liked Ned, but I wasnt sure he was right for me. But then there was that night...the night he first kissed me. All questions were gone after that moment. It was just a small goodnight kiss at my front door. But that little kiss changed everything for me.

Not even three months later he proposed. And now here we are - 406 days until our wedding.

Last night on our anniversary date we sat reminiscing about all our favorite moments from the last year. The list of things that meant something to us was pretty long. From our first date to his proposal on Franklin Avenue to our trips out to San Francisco to buying our first house...this year has been packed with so many incredible moments. I wish I could share them all here, but it would take me all day.

And as I sat here writing this entry, I got confirmation from a photographer/friend that she is available to shoot a session for us the day we leave for Austria in two weeks at one of our favorite MN events. Im so happy and excited.

For now, Ill leave this entry with a couple of my favorite photos of me and Ned from last September. This is us at Mill City for one of our early dates. We were there for the Kid Dakota show and it was such an incredible night.





And as a little teaser of our photo shoot to come...



-Gan

My amazing bridesmaids

Since I officially asked the last two of my bridesmaids this last weekend to be a part of my wedding, I feel like its alright for me to start talking about them. Im so excited to have these three amazing women in my life. I couldnt be more thrilled that they all said yes.

The 4 of us had been planning a girls weekend getaway (second annual one) for a couple weeks. Unfortunately, I knew one of the girls, Hallie, wasnt going to be able to make it due to morning sickness as shes 11 weeks pregnant. I had been planning to ask all 3 girls at once, but realized that wasnt going to be possible.

The weekend prior to Girls Weekend Getaway '09, I got Hallie's gift bag ready and headed over to her place to spend the afternoon. She was incredibly surprised by the gifts and card, but immediately said yes and I could tell she was truly excited. I dont think she had even considered I would choose her, but I have no idea why I wouldnt! She is one of the sweetest and kindest girls I know. She is always there for her friends and has such a positive attitude about life. I have been so blessed to have her in my life this last year.



Amanda technically already knew that she was not only one of my bridesmaids, but actually my maid of honor. I let that slip the night we went to The Knot party at the Graves hotel. I had already ran it by my fiance that I was going to ask her, but wanted to wait until GWG. But when we got to the party I introduced her as my MOH and told her the plan. Thats kinda what happens with best friends, its hard to keep secrets. I dont think there is anything I can keep from Ama. She totally gets me. I know she is always there if there is anything I need and is incredibly supportive and always encouraging me.



I brought Ama and Robyn's gift bags with me to the cabin for Girls Weekend and surprised them when we got there. Robyn also seemed incredibly blown away by the whole thing, but she jumped up and down and gave me a huge hug. Robyn is one of those people that has an infectious smile. She is always finding something to laugh about and has this incredible way of looking at the world. Shes always ready to take on a project and I dont think there is anything she cant conquer. Ive known her for about 5 years and my life has definitely been for the better with her in it. She inspires me so much.



Heres to the amazing women in my life! Thanks for not only being a part of my wedding, but for being in my life. I dont know what I would do without you.


Girls Weekend Getaway '08. Hallie (Hal), Robyn (Rue) & me (Gan).


Girls Weekend Getaway '09. Robyn (Rue), me (Gan) & Amanda (Ama).

-Gan

Yah but it's the Nebraska Game...

"Eye to Eye"

I was late rushing into work this morning.  

Gan was finishing up her four day weekend today and it took every ounce of strength on my part to go into work and not to call in with a severe case of common sense.  However once I got to work, or more appropriately as I was riding the elevator up, as my luck would have it, some women just happened to be talking about weddings.

"So it sounds like they are going to have a short, quick honeymoon, maybe two days" one woman was saying. "And then a longer one later in month."

"But why," her co-worker asked. "That seems like a large waste. Especially for Hawaii."

"It is, but he really doesn't want to miss The Nebraska Game."

At this point, the women started talking about how Hawaii was a terrible place to go on a honeymoon and Fiji was just SO much better, but I had already tuned out.

The Nebraska Game?

You could tell just by listening to the conversation that the bride wanted nothing to do with the truncated honeymoon, but the groom was going to have his dream wedding and his dream football game too. To be honest, I felt kinda ill.

But then it occurred to me that I would do anything for Gan and who knows, maybe she has a "Nebraska Game" out there just waiting. I mean, we have agreed on everything up to this point. Heck, that's really an understatement. Every idea Gan has had I've been excited and enchanted by and I've received pretty good feedback on the two or three ideas that I've had.

Everything about the wedding has just been all so easy up to this point. And think it's because Gan and I see eye to eye on a lot of the details.  I really believe that we are going to have an amazing day because when we think about the wedding, we are seeing the same thing.

That isn't to say that I wouldn't do anything for her if she had a Nebraska Game out there. Lurking. Just waiting. But I'm sure whatever comes along, we'll roll with it. Keep that communication open and flowing.

The story of Plus One

When I was very little, I used to have these competitions with my dad over who loved who more. He would say he loved me, I would say I loved him more. He would say he loved me most, I would say I loved him infinity! And then he would say he loved me infinity plus one. Nothing could trump the "plus one". No matter what I would say, he would add the plus one to it. If I would say I loved him times a trillion, he would love me times a trillion- plus one.

When my fiance and I first started saying we loved each other, I introduced him to the plus one rule. He never could have guessed that there was something out there more than infinity.

After that he wrote the cutest, albeit a bit dorky *wink*, blog entry about Plus One. It was probably the sweetest thing anyone had ever written for me.

"Magic.

As a child, I learned of true magic playing Dungeons and Dragons. I discovered, early in the game, there were normal, forged items, such as swords, shields, and rings, and then there were objects that were imbued with... something extra - the blades that glowed when orcs were close or a suit of armor that enhanced a person's strength. Magic always meant something extra - the usual plus a little more. Magic meant +1.

Magic trumps just about everything. For example, in science, there is nothing larger than infinity - it's a concept that has no equal and no end. Infinity is supreme, practically its own damn theology, and there's nothing larger. Nothing, that is, except for Infinity +1. I love you. I love you more. I love you infinity. I love you infinity +1.

When it comes to weddings, dates are commonly referred to as +1 - you and that someone extra. Suddenly magic axes are replaced by a partner or a child or a true friend. It's no longer just you by yourself on your adventure, exploring the dark passages by a flickering torch. Suddenly it's you and your +1 - one upping infinity - being with someone else, someone extra special.

If I had a wish, a wish that knew no limits, I would wish that every person could have a little magic in his or her life - that every person could have a +1. Even if it is merely access to magical Potato Salad (+1 to constitution) or an enchanted pair of shoes (+1 to charisma), I would wish that every person in the world would have access to an additive that would shine against the darkness.

Have you found it?

Do you possess that object that gives you that extra strength to battle the demons?

Have you found that special someone that gives you the power to one up infinity?

I wish with all my heart that, if you haven't found it yet that you find your +1.

Because the only thing that's better than a world with you in it - is a world with you in it +1."

Now whenever we are across a crowded room, or a store, or a park, or wherever from each other, one of us will hold up our hands in the shape of a heart. The other will then follow by making a plus sign with his/her fingers and then the number one. Its our way of being able to tell each other that we love each other without speaking. We love each other- Plus One.

-Gan

Was it Shakespeare?

Wasn't it Shakespeare who said, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"? Well that's swell, but who goes to a wedding to smell the flowers?  

Me?  I want color.  In fact, I want, like, SHAZAM!, kind of colors.  Nothing to upstage the bride mind you (like that would be possible) but something that can bring the magic and dynamic of the outdoors through precise and careful placement.  

And what better way to do this, in my humble opinion, than flowers or maybe I should say "colorful" flowers to be precise.    

Gan and I had no easy task finding colors that we wanted so late in the season.  We wanted the pop of spring but the sophistication of late summer.  And we wanted to do this while trying to avoid the fall, pumpkin Halloween colors.  So, we focused on royal colors that would contrast well against the "PARTY ON" green and give the event the prestige it deserves.  

So, I'm always on the lookout for colors, especially in flowers, and especially in a season that is almost a year away from our special day.  

I snapped this picture today with my cell phone at the farmer's market on Nicollet Mall downtown.  It's slightly over-exposed and this washed out the richness of the color, but you can get the idea.  Darn close to our colors without getting too trick or treat-ish.   

Now, in truth, this flower is a little too round for me and doesn't go with the lilies and other flowers that Gan and I were looking at.  At least, for the main table, this isn't the right flower. But the colors... ah yes... I think they would make great decorative flowers for other areas where we wanted a splash of color.  (Bathrooms, distant bar tables, Uncle Mike's why-didn't-I-get-one corsage, flower pedals for the flower girl to throw, etc.)  

I have no idea what KIND of flower it is, but as for colors... well this flower is pretty damn nice. 

Quick update

Very excited to have my fiance be a guest blogger on here. Or maybe he will be a full time blogger? Hes definitely way more entertaining than I am. (And more dedicated to blogging.) Im very happy to have him be a part of this.

-Gan

14 months to go...

To say my fiance and I are ahead of the game is probably an understatement. At 14 months out, we have got so much picked out and decided on. Not all the little details of course, but the big important things (reception location, ceremony location, photographer, caterer...) have all been decided upon, if not already booked.

14 months left sounds like a lot of time to pull everything together, but for two people who love to plan parties, down to the smallest of details, I have to wonder if 14 months will be enough time for something this big. Im sure it will be more than enough, but when I think about all that has to be done, I get nervous. I get especially nervous because of all our DIY projects we need to complete. Im just glad I have a partner who is as excited as I am and is completely involved.

I don't believe a wedding is just about the bride. Its about the couple. Im lucky to have a fiance who understands this and wants to be a part of everything involved with putting our wedding together. Im so happy that this wedding will be a reflection of both of us as individuals, but mostly who we are together.

-Gan