Just Another Boring Married Couple

Advice from a friend helps Jess enjoy the last two weeks of her engagement.

By Jessica Solloway

The other night, I was talking to one of my friends about some things I was nervous about leading up to the wedding (dreary Cleveland weather, catching the swine flu, etc...) and she had great advice. She said, "Don't stress out about the what-ifs. Just enjoy being special for two more weeks, because before you know it, you'll just be another boring married couple that no one cares about." Hmph. She had a point.
Throughout my engagement, I have realized that for some reason, the general population thinks brides are special. The minute anyone hears you're engaged, their eyes light up and they suddenly show a great deal of interest in your flowers, your dress, the food, the location, your stress level. It's kind of bizarre. But it's really nice. It's as if any female planning a wedding might as well be walking around with cartoon birds singing over her shoulders like in a  Disney movie. Brides have these magical powers to captivate anyone from the mailman to the manicurist. (Unfortunately, no one really gets as excited when speaking to the groom.)

So, I decided right then and there to let go of my irrational worries and to savor the last two weeks I have of being engaged, and to step back and appreciate the excitement and nervous anticipation. Because it all just goes so fast. And everyone says the actual wedding weekend goes by even faster. All the planning, the appointments, the trips home, the money spent ... and then poof, you find yourself showing your grand kids your wedding album to convince them you were young once too. (Ok hopefully life doesn't go by that fast.)

But before I let myself get depressed about the wedding being a whirlwind, I am going to focus on all the things I am excited about. I think what I am most looking forward to is having so many of the people that I love and care about in one room together to celebrate and just have fun. We have family and friends coming in from all across the country. And it just means the world to me and Seth that so many people are traveling to be part of such a special time for us.

While I know I'll have a hard time when it's all said and done ... I am very excited to be part of a "boring married couple".