ChickSpeak

Like losing your glasses and not being able to find them because you are too blind to actually see them laying about, wedding planning has the same sort of wicked irony in that you are planning the most romantic, love-filled day of your life with the man your heart longs for, and yet you spend the majority of the ‘we’re engaged’ time period in an argument over the whole mess. 

Men and women are so different in everything from the way they communicate to the way they get dressed that it is a thousand wonders heterosexuality even exists; having said that, it makes for an incredibly difficult time trying to please one another, while not absolutely giving up your own wishes…particularly when it comes to one of the most important days of your life. 

Now, as a couple, of course my fiancé and I share many common interests-we both love riding horses, spoiling our pets, attending church & being involved in its many activities, watching either the History or Fox News channel twenty-four seven, and being completely wrapped around the little fingers of our nieces and nephews, just to name a few. 

But as a man (and a ‘man’s man’ at that), he simply does not understand why I, as a female, want to have pictures taken in a beautiful outdoor scenic scene directly after our indoor ceremony.  As a woman (and, yes, you guessed it-a particularly ‘girly girl’), I just cannot comprehend why he absolutely refuses to get as excited as I am about the pale blue napkins, monogrammed in a chocolate brown with our names and wedding date, that I was able to find, which perfectly match the misty blue bridesmaid’s gowns from Bari Jay.  Does he not realize how hard it is to find a blue hue pale enough?  Can I not be sensible and want pictures in the actual place where we will say ‘I do’?  Apparently not. 

If this were solely the case, I would be incredibly nervous about the potential lifespan of our upcoming marriage.  However, we love each other enough to make certain concessions to please the other.  For instance, people find it absolutely ridiculous (well, at least women do) Mr. R and his groomsmen will not be wearing tuxedos on our big day.  Nor will he be wearing a suit or even dress slacks and a button up and tie.  No, Mr. R and his groomsmen will be wearing jeans from a certain brand usually viewed as a ‘fancier’ than others in a particular style, also typically viewed in the country/western community as a dressier version than others. 

Honestly, this fact pleases me-in the three years I have been with Mr. R, I have never seen him wear a tuxedo and have only been witness to him wearing a suit one time to a funeral he had to attend.  Why on earth would I insist on him doing something out of his character?  I fell in love with my blue jean wearing cowboy and it is that man I want to marry. 

Likewise, Mr. R has sweetly conceded to at least 95 percent of all the requests I have asked of him: from the type of flower we are using to the caterer and menu all the way up to the place I suggested we go for our getaway honeymoon.   So, while it has definitely felt a lot of arguing has been taking place over this entire affair, the potential for many more quarrels has been tremendous, but easily deferred by an easy-going man who primarily just wants to make it through April 24th, our wedding day, without killing one of our relatives (a concern for both of us, honestly).  Those days we make it through without one of our small, but incredibly annoying, arguments, we both celebrate that an event has not managed to writhe in between us yet again; and, even on those days when we have had to go back and forth on half a dozen different things, we still go to sleep at night tucked up close to each other, always drifting off just after saying we love each other.

Three days after our engagement, a great friend of ours (who happens to be the wife of our minister) told us if we could make it through planning the wedding, we were really meant to be together.  At the time, I really thought her statement an overt exaggeration, but I admit it now I was completely and totally wrong. 

So, be warned chicks!  Once he pops the question and you get over the awe of the dazzler on your left hand, do not be surprised (or feel incredibly guilty) if you two start hashing it out a little bit more than you did pre-engagement…I am assured that this, too, shall pass.  Happy Wedding Planning, girls!

Jessy Garrett writes, crafts, and loves from her home in Young Harris, GA, where she lives with her handsome cowboy fiancé and three sweet dogs.  She despises mopping floors, dealing with wedding vendors, and talking on the phone, but loves coloring (it’s cathartic), the smell of Bounce © dryer sheets,  and being an active member in her church and local Relay for Life program.  As a crazy sexy cancer vixen, she works hard to promote cancer research funding, but also has the privilege of living each day as if it were her last.  She has 92 days before she marries her better half and best friend and she simply cannot wait!