My aspirations as a child were always academically and career driven. I wanted to be an eye doctor, and for a short period of time, a ballerina (didn't work out, clearly...). I pictured myself in that long, white lab coat, bouncing from room to room, patient to patient, shining lights in people's eyes and asking them, "Which is better, one, or two? Three or four?" I would dream about the massive log house I would build and the cars I would have and the fun phoropter I would play with as I asked that relentless question, "Which is better? which is better? which is better?"
That house always included rooms for children, a toy room downstairs in the basement, a "den" for my husband, and a master bedroom with a master bathroom for my husband and I to share. What is funny is that a husband and children were never in the plans for me.
I am, by no means, a typical girl. If you've followed past posts, I do not cry, I do not thrive on drama, I would much rather hang out with guys than girls, and I have no problem walking around with no makeup on or impressing others. Another to add to the list, the desire to get married. I never dreamed of that white dress, the rings, the ceremony, any of it as a young girl. I was too focused on playing with that phoropter to worry about who would be in my wedding or what my hair would look like.
Lately, however, marriage is something that has been present in my life more than I would have though. My boyfriend's college friend got married, my sister is planning her 2012 summer wedding, a close friend from college got married, and then the weekend after her wedding, my best friend from high school got married. For a girl who never really thought about marriage, that is an AWFUL lot of wedding going on.
At these weddings though, I realized I really was a girl, or at least, some part of me was in the emotional department. Maybe it was just the happiness that radiated in the room, or seeing the result of love and commitment and its effects on people, on me.
At the first wedding, I was just a wedding guest watching on as two people exchanged their promises towards each other, as the groom saw his gorgeous bride emerge with her dad, an older sister give away her sister (that one in particular... only 'cause I have to do it next year : ( ), and I got to have a glimpse of the very very beginning of their lives together.
At the second wedding, I got a bit more up, close, and personal : p As a bridesmaid, you really are in on all of the action. I was one of the people closest to the bride and groom as they exchanged vows (I could read their lips : P), I had the pleasure of helping them throughout the last several months prepare for the most important day of their life together; I got to smile and pose an awful lot in many many many many (I cannot stress how many mannnnys) pictures, and I got to play the role of best friend in any way possible. Not to mention, I got to relive that moment of the eldest sister giving away the younger sister, though at a much more personal level since these sisters were somewhat like my sisters, and I was seated next to the bride's sisters and two from the bride...
All of this wedding stuff, early on, was a bit overwhelming for a girl who was honestly terrified of the thought of marriage, since it was a thought so foreign and never actually thought about.
Now, after two weddings and planning for a little sister's wedding, the thought is not so daunting anymore.
It has shown me though that whenever that day comes, there will be A LOT of help from anyone and everyone...
I also know now why Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn crashed so many weddings (not the bad, dirty, raunchy part...), it was a darn good time!
Kelsie's wedding (5/6)
Brandi's wedding (5/13)
ps- best wishes and happy times to both Kelsie and Brad and also to Brandi and Malachi : ) 
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