My wedding day- 10 on Tuesday Edition

I married the mister ten years, 6 months and 18 days ago. I was a young 22 yr old at the time, just months out of college. I was the 1st of my crowd to get married and did not feel sure of myself and my decision making capabilities. As a result my wedding was very pretty and also very typical. There really wasn't anything that stood out.

I told a friend that once and it surprised her. Apparently I am not one to march to anyone else's drummer these days. In 1999 that wasn't quite the case.

I went to the wedding of a friend of mine's daughter on Saturday. This weekend I will go to another wedding of a friend's daughter. If I were to plan my wedding again I wouldn't change the biggest detail, I'd still marry the same mister.....but I would do a few things differently....

*I'd wear funky shoes
*I'd have a dj or cover band
*I'd take more fun portraits
*I'd get napkins with our monogram on them
*I'd have stayed at my reception longer
*I would have had a fuller veil.........though this turned out ok when it got pinned on upside down. My mom totally saved the day.
*I would have gone to the bathroom earlier in the day
*I would have had a house party
*I would have had cookies at the reception
*I would have changed before leaving the reception

Overall, none of these details alter the meaning of that day. It is when I vowed before the Lord, my family and friends to love my husband from that day forward. For better for worse. Til death do us part.

And I wouldn't change that for anything in the world.

Happy Tuesday~

Monday Morning Question of the Day~

***I am following the format of my sweet friend Shannon's blog today***

Good morning!

My parents drank at least a pot of coffee every morning while I was growing up. Black. Strong. Hot. My granny drank hers with two creams and some sweet 'n low.

I never did. In college I would hang out at coffee shops, never really enjoying my cuppa. I went to visit a friend who moved to New Orleans and tried her iced coffee concoction. I liked it. I brought some home. Then I got prego with #1 and very obediently cut out all caffeine.

As most of you know soon after the birth of #1 I got pregnant with #2. And suddenly desired coffee. Craved coffee.

And I've been drinking it ever since. I like mine with a little flavored creamer. And now my husband and I drink a pot of coffee most mornings.

What is your morning beverage of choice? How do you take your coffee?

Happy Monday~

My happy place.....

I have been in workshops before where they ask you to close your eyes and imagine a place that is peaceful and serene. Somewhere you could go if travel details didn't matter. A place that feeds your soul.

Waimanalo Beach is that place for me.

I always thought of a generic spot near the ocean, usually it looked like a corona commercial.

Not anymore. From now one when I am asked to close my eyes and imagine my happy place, I will know just where to go. I will think about the alley way I walked through to get to the beach. The plumeria blooms covering the ground, the smell intoxicating. I will think of the shade trees and the coconut husks that led the way to the sand. Then I will think of the cliffs to the right, high to the sky. I will think of the trees, the wind, the small, unassuming houses who have this spot for their backyard.

I will remember walking up at sunrise, sitting on a log, next to the mister, watching as moment by moment the sky came alive. And turning around, the mountains, covered in green, reflecting the sun. The waves, the crashing, the sand.

Then I will remember later in the day when my children were laughing in those waves. In that sand. With their grandpa teaching them to use boogie boards and the joy on his face as he shared this little piece of his history with them. The black lab that was letting his owner bury him in the sand. The oatmeal raisin cookies I ate.

I will remember running into the water when my son said "You HAVE to feel these waves, Mom!" The way my knees buckled when a particularly strong wave caught me off guard. The sand that filled my suit as I washed ashore.

The wonder and awe I felt as I looked at the blue of the water, felt the coolness of the breeze and heard the joy of my children.

And I will be happy.