Not Guaranteed

The recent loss of my cousin John made me realize that we are not guaranteed anything while living here on Earth. We are not guaranteed an easy life or a long life and we don't know when our time here is up. Sometimes it comes suddenly without warning, sometimes it comes after a long battle with illness, and sometimes it comes at the end of a long full life. There is no way to know what your life situation will be or how you're going to die, but I think that is irrelevant. We have no idea what the future holds or what's going to happen in an hour, but I do know how I can live my life out and that is to be sold out for Christ. I can get all caught up in worrying about the future and how I'm going to deal with tragedies in the coming years, but instead of sitting around worrying, I could simply put my trust in Christ to get me through whatever comes my way and live out my life the way he wants me to. For me, it's easy to worry about the future and basically let it cripple me into sitting on the couch and crying all day long. But, obviously, this is not the life the Lord would have for me. He wants me to trust in him and live out my life to the full. If I am constantly worrying about what might happen and who it might happen to, then I am not fully trusting in the Lord and allowing him to be the Lord of my life. I do my best to trust in the Lord and give my worries and doubts over to him. I think this is the only way to deal with the concerns of this world, no matter what they may be. John's death was sudden and unexpected, and unfair. No child should have to lose their father at age 5 and no wife should have to lose her husband after only ten years. But, unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and many things that should not happen, do happen. The only way to deal with these losses and tragedies is to turn to Christ for comfort and peace. Of course, I am much more removed from the situation than John's wife and kids. If Bryan died today, would I be able to say the same things? Would I be able to turn to Christ? Or would I turn away from him because of anger and distress? I think that I would only turn to Christ because he has been the only constant through out my life and I know the healing power that he holds. It probably would not be easy, though. Who knows how I would react in a tragic situation, but right now I can safely say that I place my trust in the Lord and I believe that he is the only one who can see us through our day to day lives and awful tragedies. I'm sure that people who have been through more than I have would say that it is more easily said than done, but I can only say the way that I deal with situations and I give them to Christ.

A few things that every Bride should know

Well... it's all over now. Just a few more thank you notes to write, but marriage has begun and the wedding is over. I loved planning my wedding! But there are a few things that other brides should know! First, the Knot.com is not good at counting! If you are using the knot's guest list, beware! The website does not always get the number attending correct, also do not take the total guest count at face value. The counter said that we were waiting to receive back 89 RSVPs when we were only missing 30! Obviously I was seriously worried when we already had about 150 people attending and there were 89 invitations still floating out in space, but then it was only another 50 people that were missing! Blessed be! But you can imagine how upset I was at theknot.com! How could they deceive me like that? Anyway, we figured it out and got all the RSVPs in...That is another story. There will always be people that do not RSVP, it is your responsibility to call them before the day that your numbers are due to the caterer. I would suggest telling them that you need to know NOW! because your numbers are due tomorrow (when really they aren't due until next week). That way your guest will call back knowing that it is urgent. As long as people know that there is time, they don't call you, it's really annoying. Next, take a few days off of work before the wedding. I took off Friday, but I wish I would have asked for Thursday, too. There is so much to do and you do not want to feel rushed or that you have to cut things out of your day. I did a lot of stuff, I had to go to the florist, the hotel, the grocery and bank, not to mention the primping I wanted to do for the rehearsal dinner and then decorating the church. Basically, it would have been nice to space all that out over two days. So if possible take an extra day off of work. Next, if you are getting a facial get it TWO WEEKS before the wedding. Facials are great, I feel like mine really did make my skin look radiant on the big day! But, there is some healing that needs to happen afterwords, so DO NOT get one right before the wedding! I did get a massage on Thursday before the wedding, that was nice. Well I think that is all my wedding advice for now, I'm sure I'll think of more later.

In other news, I found out that I will be traveling to Providence RI on January 24th and coming back to Cincinnati on March 12th. So that is exciting. I go back and forth between being excited and being nervous. I know that this is where the Lord wants me, so I am taking confidence in that. I am trusting that he will provide for me while I'm away from my hubby and again when we move to our new city (which, lets be honest, I wouldn't mind moving back to Cincinnati!). It is really fun to think about visiting friends, Boston, NY, being in a new city on the coast, and having Bryan come visit. Not to mention starting my job and learning about insurance. Although that may not sound exciting to some, I will be so happy to be in a learning environment again! And once I start my job I can start looking at masters programs :) I love school, I do miss it. I'm such a nerd...

To Continue...

So I left off after the whirlwind of the ceremony. Oh man, I was so happy! It was amazing being introduced as Mrs. Pietch. We came back to dismiss everyone from the church. Hugging all our family was definitely the most emotional, I cried a lot. All very happy tears of course! It was so great to see all our friends and family. They were all so excited for us! It was incredible! A few friends made me tear up, too. I remember that my train was stepped on by kids running around, haha. But I just was so impressed with how many people love us! It was fantastic. After the ceremony and we dismissed everyone, we got to run through a tunnel of bubbles, haha! I made Bryan run because I thought it would be fun to run in my big huge dress, so we did! The ceremony went really quickly and there was a ton of time before the reception, which was great because we finished pictures in plenty of time to get to the reception right on time! It was funny to get there when our guests were showing up, I guess we made an error on the directions so some people got lost. So sorry about that....I feel really badly that people couldn't find it. Oh well, most people were there! When we got to the reception it was time to bustle my dress and get ready to be announced! It was so fun to go out as he said "Mr. and Mrs. Bryan and Amy Pietch!" YAY! We went right into toasts, which were lovely. I know Bryan really liked his speach from Jeremy and I loved my speach from Kirsten, she is such a good friend!! Then I said a quick thank you (which was fun, I was really glad that I was able to speak at my wedding) and then Bryan prayed for our meal. We got to sit at a table w/Jeremy and his family, Kirsten and Eric, and Abbie and Kyle. It was really fun to be with everyone! I was glad that we did not do a traditional head table, we did two round tables instead. I really enjoyed it. I thought that it made it much more enjoyable to eat dinner and be able to talk with everyone. The food was awesome and there was a chocolate fountain which was delicious! Once I finished dinner I talked to my friends and family, lots of people came up to our table and said congrats and complimented our ceremony and reception. Bryan made a beautiful slide show of us growing up and then pictures of us together when we were dating and engaged. Everyone really loved it, especially our parents I think. Before I knew it, it was time for my first dance with Bryan. We talked the whole dance, mostly about how weird it was to be married for real. Also, we said how it didn't feel any different yet. I asked "When do you think it will feel different than when we were engaged?" I don't think it felt much different until we were at our resort on the honeymoon, but anyway. It was a great dance, I liked having some time alone with Bryan because the whole day really involves so many people.Then I danced with my dad, we did a traditional waltz, it was really fun! I think people were impressed, I know my dad was very happy to be able to dance with me. He later said it was one of the highlights of his life, what a great dad! The rest of the reception was filled with dancing and laughing, having fun with Bryan and family and friends. I loved it! I thought it was the most amazing reception ever. Of course, I am biased. Bryan really enjoyed it too. It was so fun to have so many friends and family with us, dancing and eating and having tons of fun! We all know that I love to dance, but by the end of the night my feet were definitely hurting. Six o'clock rolled around and I was ready to get out of my heavy dress and hurting shoes. Bryan and I just went back to our apartment for the night, we decided that would be a lot easier and more comfortable than spending the night in the hotel. It worked out really well, I was exhausted. I don't think I could have handled going to a hotel, I wanted somewhere that felt like home. And our apartment did feel like home because Bryan was there. Awww how mushy gushy, but it's true! The wedding was AMAZING I couldn't have asked for anything more! It was perfect and incredible and everything I ever imagined. It's weird that it's over and that I go to sleep every night in our apartment, and I come home to Bryan after work. Marriage is definitely an adjustment, a very good one, but it's weird too. It's been hard moving out of my parents house for good and knowing that my new home is wherever Bryan lives. It's also weird because in just a few months I will be moving to Rhode Island which makes the real world feel really close. Ugh I'm so grown up and it's crazy! So anyway, the rest of my posts will probably revolve around new married life and how I'm learning and making mistakes. Hopefully they're funny and we all laugh.

In other news, I was hit on today while paying for gasoline for my car. He said "how you doin'?" not to be prejudice, but he was black and said it exactly the way you are imagining him saying it. So I said "Good thanks, yourself?" He said, "Good, can I call you sometime?" and I said, "Nah, sorry. I'm married." Him, "Oh oh sorry" and he quickly fled the store. The Clerk at the register appologized for his friends behavior and said "so is it true?" and I was able to say "Yes, no more dating for me. and also it makes for a really good excuse when being hit on" Ah, nothing like being hit on when you're greasy and gross and sleepy. It makes me smile that I still have my good looks even though I am an old married lady :)

The New Mrs. Pietch is HERE!

HELLO BLOG NATION! I am now blogging from my apartment where I live with my husband, we have been married a whole week! Haha, we just got back from the honeymoon this afternoon and we're settling into our little one bedroom blissfully ignoring that work begins again on Monday. The wedding, reception, and honeymoon were AMAZING! But let me begin one week before the big day. Buckle up kids! This is going to be a long ride...

T minus 7 days until the Wedding...

I feel that I did an excellent job of planning and preparing for the wedding from day one, but I learned that no matter how many schedules you type up or how many meetings you have, you WILL be stressed the week before your wedding. Suddenly there are about one hundred decisions and tasks that you have not completed, not all of the RSVPs are in, and you keep thinking of little projects that you need to finish. By Tuesday of the pre-wedding week, I still had not talked with the Pastor about our ceremony, which is a pretty important part if you ask me. That day was awful, I felt like nothing was going to come together. But, as soon as I realized that every bride is stressed before the wedding, I felt much better and realized that no one would know if I finished the wreaths for the doors of the church (I didn't by the way) and that I would simply have to do everything that I could and when time ran out I would just have to enjoy my day. This is a good attitude to have, I believe - of course I am biased since it became my attitude. But truly, just being relaxed and continually doing something was a big help for me. I also took a lot of benadryl at night so that I would sleep well. I do not condone drug use normally, but before the wedding I will allow it. After Tuesday my week was just fine, lots of fun actually! I got to spend a lot of time with my mom and sister and all my bridesmaids were great in calling and helping whenever they could. So I was much more settled when the rehearsal dinner rolled around.

October 16th, Rehearsal Dinner

So the Friday before the wedding I drove around all day doing wedding stuff. Nothing stressful, just stopping to see the flowers and picking up mascara and little errands like that. My day passed quickly and then it was time to rehearse for the wedding! I couldn't believe how quickly time was going. Of course, I had only talked on the phone to Pastor Butch so we really hadn't discussed too much about the ceremony. Unfortunately, I feel that my personality clashes a bit with his and so I was probably not as nice to him as I should have been. Not only that, but I hadn't talked with his wife, the wedding coordinator at the church, so she had no idea what was going on. Mostly, I ran the rehearsal myself, which is fine. I realized that my wedding was the one time I could be bossy and bitchy and no one would say anything about it. Believe me, the sass was out that night! We all got through rehearsal fine, I'm pretty sure we all knew what to do. I think the best part was when my bridesmaids showed up and we all squealed and got excited haha! So girly, I know. Dinner was delicious, it occurred at Cladagh (I have no idea how to spell it) Irish Pub. The food was great, time with our family and friends was better. Sally, Bryan's mom, delivered a short but very heartfelt speech that had me in tears. After dinner we exchanged gifts with our attendants. Bryan got the TV he wanted, he was SO so excited about it. And I got luggage! WOOHOO! it was great, we actually were able to use it on the honeymoon. The bridesmaids got their jewelry and pashminas, which I think they all enjoyed. The jewelry was handmade by Rebecca Loomis and she did an excellent job! And then, too soon, it was time to go home and go to bed so that I could look beautiful on my big day!

WEDDING DAY!

I woke up and was immediately excited! I couldn't believe it was the big day! The day I had been planning and thinking about for over 10 months was finally here! I started my day at 6am, my cousins Max and Isabel came over for breakfast at 7 and they made me laugh and giggle and helped me just be happy, not nervous or anxious! The day went by so quickly! Suddenly all my bridesmaids were at the house getting ready, putting make up on and doing their hair. Then it was time to put on my dress! Suddenly I looked like a real bride! Then pictures were being taken and the next thing I knew I was in the car on the way to the church. My good friend Kyria rode with my dad and I and it was so great to talk with her. She was so kind in helping take pictures. I feel like she had some really great ideas and was more creative than I could have been! So we show up at the church, Mark comes down to meet us. He was great in being my time keeper and making sure everyone was where they should be. At that point I started to get a little nervous. The butterflies were fluttering in my stomach, but again things moved quickly! Myself, mom, dad, and the bridesmaids were walking toward the sanctuary, lining up, getting ready to walk down the aisle. Bryan's mom came to give me a hug, she was crying which made me cry of course! All my bridesmaids hugged me and wished me luck before heading down the aisle themselves. Then it was just my dad and I in the back, we were both shaking and taking deep breaths to try and stay calm. As soon as I turned the corner and saw everyone in the church I was floored. I was just hit by how many people love and care for Bryan and I. Then I saw my husband, waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I don't think you can accurately describe how full and wonderful you feel at that moment, but even though there were so many other people and music and pictures, I could only think about how excited I was to get to Bryan and become his wife. Bryan took a mental picture when he saw me in the back of the church (the office fans will appreciate that) and suddenly we were both on the alter saying our vows and becoming man and wife. Apparently I value diversity because I replaced "adversity" with diversity in our vows, oops! Something always goes wrong, but it was funny and it lightened the mood of me crying through the vows. I remember exchanging rings, and I remember saying the vows, and praying with Bryan after we lit the unity candle; I hope I never forget those details of the wedding ceremony. I remember being the happiest I've ever been and so very thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such a wonderful man. I'm not lucky, but I am greatly provided for.

Well I think this is a long enough entry for now, more about the reception and honeymoon to follow!!

Much love from the Freshest Pietch!

Weddings = Work

While I have enjoyed the wedding process, I am ready for the big day to be here. If you know me at all you know that I love planning and organization, but I am tired and I don't want to make another phone call or leave another message hoping that a vendor will call me back quickly. I'm ready to see everything that we've planned come together in the big event and celebrate with my friends and family all day long. I really want to have my wedding dress, it's been at the seamstress's basically since I picked it up from the bridal salon. And mostly I'm ready to be married to Bryan. Having only 11 days separating us from living in the same house, it is really annoying to have to drive 20 minutes to see him. And all we do is plan. Plan, plan, plan. If we're not trying to figure out seating arrangements, then we're writing down how we want the ceremony to go or a list of "must-do's." I'm just tired, I'm ready to relax and take a nap without waking up in a panic because I can't remember if I called the florist or not. I think Bryan is probably ready for me to stop making him care about the wedding and reception. Truthfully he's been great! He's been super supportive, very relaxed and calm, and encouraging when I feel like nothing is going right. The planning process has definitely reassured me that Bryan's the man I'm supposed to marry, which is a really good feeling. Also I am ready to go on the honeymoon. I just want to lay by the pool in Mexico and know there's no deadline and no one to call and nothing on my schedule but relaxing. That will be great. It will be here very soon, I know, but until then it's onward with the schedule and many meetings, deadlines, calls, and arrangements are to be made. I'm tired, early bed times are also a must while you're planning a wedding :)

So Quickly Life Approaches

I think that the older one gets the faster life passes by. I feel like just yesterday I had 10 months to go until the wedding, but it's only 22 days away! It has gone by so quickly, but I know at several points I thought that the big day would never come. There were times that I was wishing time away, hoping that October would come quickly. Other times I prayed for more time to get everything done. Now I am at a happy medium, I'm so excited that the wedding is soon, I feel like I have plenty of time to complete the tasks at hand, and I'm enjoying my last few weeks of singleness with my family. The closer we get to the wedding day, the faster the days go by. As the wedding is quickly approaching, I realize that Amica and Rhode Island are also quickly approaching. I feel like as soon as the wedding is over I will be preparing to move out to Providence to start training. I have about 2 months with my husband before moving away for 7 weeks, which at first didn't seem like a big deal, but now I feel like 2 months before moving is not enough time and that 7 weeks will feel a lot longer than it seems. Life feels real, it feels grown up with more responsibility than ever. While this isn't a bad thing, it is different and somewhat intimidating. I feel like I'm ready to get married, start a job, move away from my parents, but the unknown always brings a sense of question and unsettledness. How do you prepare for something you've never experienced? I suppose the only thing is to spend time with the Lord and trust that he will teach you and guide you in all your new adventures. I know He will help me learn what it means to be a submissive wife, a wife who eagerly serves her husband. I know He will help me learn what it means to be in the business world and He will be there to comfort me when everything changes and I move away from everything I know. God is good and he will be with me. All I can do it live today, the day the Lord has given me and enjoy the time that I have. When the new things come along I will be able to handle them because the Lord will prepare me. So let life quickly approach, I will soak up as much as I possibly can and Jesus will provide for my every need :)

The Wedding Guru

9+ months of planning my own wedding and several years of observing other's nuptial arrangements have given me quite the arsenal when it comes to wedding info. While talking with my good friend Ali last night, I realized that I have a lot of useful information to share with brides (and some grooms). My first post about wedding etiquette is going to be followed up with some additional points, and yes, they are about RSVPs. In addition to observing who is actually invited on your invitation, one should also take notice of when the RSVP should be returned. No matter what the date says, your RSVP should be returned ASAP! I mean, we already put the stamp on it, is it that hard to look at the calendar, write your name, check a box, and put it in the mail? No, it's really not. Further, the date that the RSVP is quested by should be kept in mind. The bride and groom need to know as soon as you can because of money and numbers for all events. Really, unless you run into troubles taking days off of work or other events might interfere, there's no reason to postpone sending your RSVP. I would also say that even if the bride and groom know whether or not you're coming, you should still send the RSVP. Bryan and I have invited almost 300 people to our wedding, do you think that we can keep track of a conversation we had 8 months ago when you told us you could attend? Nope, sorry, my brain is too full of other details to remember that conversation. Soon Bryan and I will have to start calling guests demanding to be given an answer, and who has time for that when I'm trying to do everything else wedding? It would truly be easier on all parties if the RSVP was simply mailed on time.

On a completely different note, my good friend Sam Oches has a blog, mylifehasasoundtrack1.blogspot.com. He has great taste in music and posts a lot of his finds through his blog. I highly encourage you to take a listen and a bit of time to read his insights. Also, I want to add music and some better pictures/graphics to this blog so hopefully those changes will happen soon! :)

Friends

I think friends are about the best thing that a girl can have, well right after an awesome family, and a great fiance...Okay so friends come in third those people, fourth if you add Christ in... Anyway, point being that true friends are incredible and irreplaceable. The end of college has shown me who my dearest and truest friends are. The people I keep in touch with, either through phone conversations or random hang out times; the people who always offer to help with wedding stuff; the people who listen to me complain about wedding stuff; and the people I can call no matter the time or place just because I need some support. Planning the wedding has really shown me what amazing and wonderful friends I have. My friend Kyria volunteered to shoot some pictures at the wedding after hearing our little photo fiasco. Even though we don't talk as much as I would like, she still said she would come and take a few pictures. And the great thing is I know that she doesn't think I just called her to ask for some free pictures, I know that she is excited to come to the wedding and out of love offered her expert photography skills to Bryan and I. One of Bryan's friends asked him if he wanted some financial help so that we could invite everyone we wanted. Bryan declined, but the simple act of offering was so loving and selfless. Laura and Lauren have been so sincere in their offers to help the day of or with anything I may need in the coming weeks, I know I could ask them to help out in any way and they would be more than happy to. Not to mention all the friends who ask how I'm doing, who want updates about all the plans, and offer their help in every conversation! All the help, love, and support has been so important to both Bryan and I. It makes me wonder, am I this giving of my gifts and energy to my friends? I know the wedding is a big deal, but sometimes I still feel selfish accepting all that my friends are offering me. I suppose that it is part of the cycle, at some point in time all these people will need my help, and I will be more than willing to give it! (And if I complain just remind me about the wedding and I'll feel guilty and stop complaining)

On another note, my good friend Kyria (mentioned above) is an amazing photographer. Kyria and her sister have their own photography business. They do weddings, senior pictures, family photos, and baby portraits. Their work is just beautiful and I'm so excited to see them off and running! The link to their site is listed below, check out their photo galleries and if you're in the market for some pictures, these are the girls to call!
agapephotographs.com

Drama, Drama, Drama

I've decided that no matter the wedding, there is always drama. If you have never planned or been in a wedding, then you may not realize this, but there is ALWAYS drama. Even in a wedding with a fairly relaxed Bride and a very laid back groom there is drama. I think I've had more drama happen in these past 9 months than in all high school and college combined. I've learned a lot because of the crises and feel that someone else may benefit from these moments of panic.

1. Something will always go wrong
No matter how well you plan or how far in advance you start your meetings, something will go wrong. The printer won't do the right thing with your invitations, or all the bridesmaids dresses will be super tight on your girls (just a few mishaps that we had). Once you have accepted that something will go wrong, it is easier to be relaxed and simply fix the problem instead of freaking out about what you are going to do. My good friend, Meredith, did the invitations for us and they are perfect! I loved them! Unfortunately the printer went crazy that week and we had several mishaps. Meredith was infinitely thankful that I did not go bridezilla on her and instead decided to be calm and simply accept things as they came. After that incident I figured that many vendors would also appreciate this Christly calmness and decided that no one's feelings or pocketbook should be affected by a minor wrong. It all has worked out, there's always a solution, and there's no point in worrying over things that you have no control. Better to let it go and know that on the day you will be married than worry and get a zit because your invitations are a day later than you expected.

2. Communication is Key
Feelings are a sore subject when it comes to weddings. I feel I have hurt a few people unneccesarily and some without knowing during the nuptial planning. If I could just remember who I've told my plans and who I have not shared them with, it would have made things much less painful. Communication with many many people is not a strong point with me apparently, so some feelings have been hurt a long the way. Nothing major, but enough that I wish I would have done things differently. I wish I would have been more clear about why I was making certain decisions and not simply assume others can read my mind, or my intentions. Thankfully I haven't made any lifelong enemies or astranged myself from any family, but I could see how a wedding could create disputes that could never be resolved. So my advice is this, be open about what you're doing. Stick to your guns, still do what you want, but make sure that others know your intentions and do your best to be loving, even when others aren't so lovable.

3. Marriage is the more important thing, and that comes after the Wedding
At the end of your wedding you will be married, and that is so much more important than the celebration of the day. Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be more excited to have a good sized wedding with the church and the dress, all the decorations and food, and my loving family and friends surrounding me. But even if everything else fails, Bryan and I will still get married and God will still bless our marriage. Keeping this in mind had helped to let things "roll of my back like water runs off a duck" as a friend's parent would say. I love the idea of my wedding and the wedding day, but I am infinitely more excited for the marriage.

These are the things I have learned from the wedding process thus far, I hope it helps someone else deal with wedding woes that we will all face.

Also I wanted to make the comment that I am a terrible speller and must keep dictionary.com open at all times when typing to make sure I'm spelling certain words correctly. I guess my BA in English didn't teach me everything.

Sacrifice

Lately I have been thinking about sacrifice and how it is the ultimate expression of love. In church on Sunday the pastor was talking about the sacrifice God gave us in giving up his son. He encouraged us to think of the verse John 3:16 from the Father's perspective, how difficult would it be to give up your only child? I cannot imagine the amount of love and hurt that God held in his heart that day. Thinking of this sacrifice made me think about my parents and all they've sacrificed for me throughout my life, I'm sure many that I don't even know about. I'm so blessed to have such loving parents! Their sacrificing continues throughout the wedding process and now Bryan and I both feel the affects their love and blessings. It's so amazing to know that my parents love me this much, but Christ loves me even more! I was having a conversation with my friend's Dad last night, he was asking about my new job. His reaction was like most people when I tell them that Bryan and I have to live apart for 7 weeks, "What?! That's no good at all!" But I see it as a sacrifice we are both making because we know that this is the direction that the Lord is taking us. If Amica, RI, and 7 weeks apart is what the Lord asks of us, then it's really not much of a sacrifice at all because it will end up being the best decision we could make. Sacrifice doesn't seem so difficult or overwhelming when it comes to love and Christ, it seems more like the right thing to do; the sacrifice cannot compare to God's giving up his own son and my sacrifice is but a spec in time. Life feels more complete when love and sacrifice are part of the picture, whether it is sacrificing time, money, or energy it always is more meaningful when you're giving it to someone else.

On a lighter note...My hair dresser came on Sunday and we did my practice hair for the wedding. It's awesome! I haven't put the pictures on my computer yet, but as soon as I do I will post a pic! Only 32 days! I cannot believe it!

Second is the First Loser

Throughout the wedding process, Bryan and I have become more and more excited for the big day. As it creeps closer, we anticipate walking down the aisle and becoming man and wife more than ever. During the process, though, I have learned what it must feel like to be a middle child. Bryan and I have definitely felt the effects of coming in second to many other events. Many of our friends have already gotten married and done the whole wedding thing, Bryan's brother got married in July, Ohio State Football has started, and one of my cousins is getting married the weekend before us. It is hard not to feel like our wedding and marriage comes second to all these events. The easy thing to do is get upset, feel like no one cares, convince yourself that you are the first loser behind bigger and better celebrations. But I have decided to rebel against those thoughts. There are many people who couldn't be more excited about our wedding, including Bryan and myself! My friends have been so supportive, helpful, and loving but how easily I am distracted from those who truly care about us! It becomes so simple to focus on the few events or people that seem to not understand how immense and life changing our wedding is. Instead I choose to focus on those who are excited and those who love us. I accept that there will always be other things going on in the world, but that it's okay to focus on us for awhile. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I couldn't be more excited about being the new Mrs. Bryan Pietch so, I will focus on that and not on a few minor disappointments along the way. Of course, few people outside of our parents care about the wedding as much as Bryan and I, which is fine. I simply want to focus on the bliss that the wedding and marriage are soon to bring. But I will leave you with this thought: Weddings, showers, marriage, any events that go with weddings are A BIG DEAL! and shouldn't be taken lightly. I know I am guilty of not treating these events with the proper excitement and respect, but I am resolved to change! Everyone deserves excitement and commitment on their big day and I will certainly do my best to give that to my friends. Best wishes on this glorious day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

35 Days

So I gave in, I started a blog.

I didn’t start one for a long time because I didn’t think anyone would want to read my random thoughts on everything under the sun. However, I’ve recently decided that my writing can and should be improved, thus my Blog, the New Wife: The Freshest Pietch! Many adventures are coming my way and I thought that a blog would be an appropriate way to both improve my writing and share my life via the internet.

With that said, I am not yet married, but the days (only 35 or so left) of singleness are numbered and the weeks to come should be quite interesting. For instance, RSVPs (respondez-vous si vous plait for those that do not know the French translation) are both exciting and exasperating. Some people do not understand how these work. For those who do not understand, please allow me the time to explain basic invitation etiquette. When you receive the invitation please observe who the invitation has been addressed to. If the invitation says only your name then only you are invited. But, if the invitation has your name plus a guest THEN and only then can you bring a guest. It is not appropriate for you to add your date’s name to your invitation putting the bride and groom in the awkward position of denying you a date. You do not get to add a date just because you want one. If you want to give me 50 dollars to pay for your uninvited date, please do! But since that would not happen, please do not add people to my guest list, I do not have room for them.

Fortunately for me, RSVP woes have not ruined the wedding experience for me. I have had a lovely time planning my wedding. I cannot wait to be a wife, I cannot wait to enjoy the splendors of the wedding! I have relished every moment of planning, the counting down, being excited with Bryan, drawing closer to Christ, the organizing and reorganizing, shopping, dresses, friends, and showers. And it will all culminate in my latest and greatest adventure, MARRIAGE! So here’s to me, the new blogger, the soon-to-be-wife, The Freshest Pietch!