I was lucky actually, all parties involved were unharmed, both vehicles are easily in driving condition.  And according to the cop, I probably won’t even get a traffic ticket.  My inlaws’ Winstar had some paint on it, along with some minor dents and scratches that are barely noticeable, and the other party, well, I hope there’s not too much damage either because I plan on picking that up on my own tab.

I guess that means this is one Mrs. that shouldn’t be driving a minivan

Anyway, we are starting to get photos back from the photog!  Here’s my favorite wedding picture so far, it was at our “first look”, where we got a moment to see each other before the ceremony and share our excitement and love together.

I’ve also spent a good amount of time in front of a mirror playing with my hair and toying with makeup.  This is something I haven’t done since I was, oh…maybe 12?  It’s been fun, trying to achieve just the right windswept, casual, happy, look!

We’re also wondering right now, whether to pick our own songs and do an iPod playlist (we have a few songs picked out already), or hire a local jazz band.  I just sent out some requests for estimates, so we’ll see how those come back.  Either way, the brunch reception should be incredible.  A girlfriend and I had a private tasting a couple weeks ago, and the food was deeeelicious.  The chef saw we were thinking of offering french toast, so he did a couple variations for us, including one that was an off-the-cuff, spur of the moment creation.  And that one just about knocked my socks off, and I don’t even like french toast that much!  It had something to do with apples and caramelized brown sugar.  Dear goodness.  I hope I don’t pop out of my dress just looking at brunch.  Here’s a sneak peek…hopefully that’ll tempt you enough to RSVP!  :)

Luckily, Jeff and I both agreed that we wanted to make our own wedding invitations. Hopefully, this would save some cash, and add a personal touch to our nuptials. We took a class together, and just like in grade school, it’s easy to bond over paper cutouts and bowtied ribbons. It was a two and a half hour class, and we made four different “suites.” Each suite is tied to a certain design theme, like a fleur de lis. That theme is echoed through the invitation, the escort cards, the table tent, etc. While none of the suites we did really suited our style (say that ten times fast), we learned a lot of techniques that we will eventually apply to our final design.

After class, we spent an hour trying to figure out what elements we wanted to include. Did we want a pocket fold or a tri-fold? Did we want to do response cards with envelopes, or postcards? Embellished invitation, or clean and simple? Is this red too orangey? We ended up going home with a treasure trove of options. Piled it all on the dining table, and two hours later, we have a beautiful, unique invitation that carries a bit of both of us in it. It’s going to take awhile to make each one by hand, and in the end, it maybe only saved us $200 or so dollars, but I think worth it.

The dress is even more beautiful than I remembered. All wrapped in tissue and gently placed in not just one, but two garment bags to protect the beading. It’s nothing like I ever imagined. I had thought it would be easy to find a dress, I’m not particularly particular and I didn’t want anything ornate. But it did take me about 35 dresses and 6 or 7 stores to find the one that was mine. And I loved it as soon as I put it on. It had just the right touch of sass to fit a beach wedding, and it was different enough without being non-traditional.

No, I’m not going to show you a picture, but I will let you know that I plan on wearing it as many times as possible, and that includes camping and canoeing! To help satisfy that need to see me in a veil, I present the following image taken from a photobooth shoot earlier this year. I had no idea it was a leading indicator of marriage!

It was the best decision I ever made in my life.  At MyPoints, I was first exposed to the affiliate marketing industry, and that made my career.  I also met Jeff Kmet, a man who was first my colleague, then my friend, and soon to be my husband.

To all the independent women out there, please note.  Jeff and I lost touch for almost five years.  I left MyPoints.com to pursue my MBA.  While I was in business school, I pretty much cut off all my ties with the outside world.  Towards the end of my “call of duty,” Jeff texted (not called…texted) me twice.

And now, well, we’re engaged. 

All I can say is, be true to yourself.  I wasn’t expecting love when it clobbered me.  I can’t say I knew Jeff was my prince when I first met him, but many years later, I know there was no one else ever meant for me.  I could never feel as happy, as secure, as beautiful as I do, as when I am with Jeff.   And that’s how you know.

We were out in Michigan surrounded by friends, fire and wine, three of my very favorite elements in life. I wandered into the kitchen in search of more food, and Jeff wandered in after me. He asked for a hug, and then asked if it could last forever. Of course I said, “Sure, honey! It’ll last forever!” And then I decided I would get a little more of that awesome steak.

As I poked around for a plate, Jeff said, “I have to ask you a question.” I said “Sure, honey!” as I looked for knife and fork. Then he says “Will you marry me?”

Wow. Clearly a marriage proposal trumps food (not much does, but a potential husband?). After he asked me to marry him, I whip around, and there he is holding the ring. I bury my head in his shoulder and wrap my arms around him. I had expected that he would propose at some point, but had zero idea it would happen then.

“Ohmygodohmygodohmygod” was racing through my head and I suppose I’d somehow neglected to answer him. So as he held me he asked again, “Well?”

“Okay,” I said.

And his laugh at that response, I tell you, the warmth, the happiness, the love…just the thought of it makes me tear up. I am so lucky to be marrying this man!!