22nd, I mean the 15th, 12th? how about the 8th? no, the 22nd!!

Weddings are SO confusing. I thought it would be a simple task to somehow choose a date that would fit everyone's schedule, but clearly I was WRONG. What was I thinking??? This date ordeal has turned into way more than I ever bargained for... so lucky for you (the one reading this blog right now) you get to follow me through the confusing journey of my date changes:
ROUND 1: We are getting married on May 22nd, and everyone is clear and good to go.
ROUND 2: I get a text message from my best friend (also my maid of honor) saying that they just got the dates for their softball nationals. Guess when they were... May 22nd!!
ROUND 3: I call my caterer, florist, photographer, and rental supplier (all of whom hold deposits already) and tried to find a date that they all had available. Lucky me, the 15th of May was open! We are getting married on May 15th!
ROUND 4: "My mom can't do the 15th" -Ben (3 weeks later)
ROUND 5: I begin to pull my hair out
ROUND 6: I call the caterer, florist, photographer, and rental supplier to see what dates they ALL have available.. turns out all they have is the 22nd.
ROUND 7: I call my best friend to tell her the news and she doesn't pick up so I have to leave a lengthy voicemail while trying to hold back my tears at the same time telling her that she won't be at my wedding after all.
ROUND 8: We are getting married on the 22nd!

As you can see, this has been a crazy, confusing, very emotional date situation! However, I have finally come to peace with it. May 22nd is the day. The day that I will become Mrs. Monnett. The day that I will officially start my eternal family. And while I am disappointed and upset that there is a good chance my best friend will not be by my side on that day, I know that she will be there in spirit. I love her very much, and am still leaving a spot open in the line up in case she doesn't go to nationals. But at the same time, I'm wishing her luck. I want it to be a happy day for both of us.

... did I mention I'm considering putting a life-sized cardboard cut out of her in the line? Because I am.

Wife?

Ben and I have finally hit the 6 MONTH MARK! Today, being the 15th of November, means that in exactly 6 months, I will be a wife. Can you believe it? A wife. ME, Lauren Golden, A wife. I just can't get over it. Looking back, I did NOT see this coming (so soon!). It's amazing how Heavenly Father takes care of us... first, he tricked me into becoming a Mormon, then he tricked me into marrying Ben! How gracious and loving He is.
In looking back, this engagement has flown. At first I thought the day was never going to come, February '09 to May '10 seemed an eternity, but now it's midway through November, and May keeps inching nearer. Of course, some days, I wish May 15th was tomorrow but mostly I'm appreciative for the time Ben and I have had to transition. With 6 months to go, I'm still trying to wrap my head around that word... wife. It's exciting, and provides limitless possibilities, but it's also a word that means I'm no longer just a daughter and a sister... but a wife. As of today, I'm not fully sure of what the word wife entails, but when I find out, I'll be sure to let everyone know. In the mean time, I'll be having Ben look up the definition for husband. Afterall, you have to start somewhere ... (and I can't wait!)