Between the tears and cheers I have been able to make some
of the most amazing memories during this journey. Many were joyful but there
were times of stress in terms of money and selfishness that caused bumps in the
road. Luckily, those moments couldn't touch the beauty of what this journey
really means. Being engaged changes absolutely nothing about you. I am still a
23 year-old girl, trying to figure out the world. The greatest part is that I
will now have someone by my side to help me figure it out. I am overjoyed to
stand before God and the people who love us most as we make this covenant of
marriage.
The Past Months in Review
Our Flower Girl
One thing that weighs on my heart throughout planning my
wedding is thinking of the wonderful people in my life who no longer will be
able to share in our joy here on earth. My grandparents, Beck and Pop, both
passed away when I was in sixth grade. My Dad claims that I'm just like my. Since
they will not be there with us I really wanted to ask my cousin's daughter,
Rebecca Claire Seeger (named after Beck) to be our flower girl in remembrance
of my grandparents. So, I drove down to Augusta, GA one day with my Mom and got
to meet little Claire all grown up! Talk about precious! She is such a sweet
little girl. I am so excited to have her apart of everything. It makes not
having the people still in your life a little bit sweeter to deal with.
Hello Steady Income!
I have no picture for this but it is HUGE news! At the
beginning of March I became a full-time employee at Wilmington Surgical Associates
in Wilmington, NC! Not only have I grown up into the real world but this long
distance thing Tim and I have been doing has officially gotten easier. I found
out on a Tuesday and started the next day. This could have been stressful if it
was not for how graceful Tim’s Dad and Stepmom, Sarah, have been. They have
opened their home and allowed me to totally take over their extra room. It has
been such a blessing and a great way to get to know them! My title is simply an
“Administrative Assistant” (or Tim likes to call it the External Medical
Communication Coordinator) for a General Surgeon and Oncologist right across
from the hospital. Getting this job was such a God thing. I applied for tons of
jobs, most of which I was qualified or over qualified for, with no bites. Tim
works with a guy, who lived with a guy, who was in small group with the girl
leaving the job. And through all that I heard of the job, went in, and had my
interview. I have really enjoyed learning about the medical field and could see
myself continue in it in some form. Now, I could never become a nurse or doctor
but I could do human resources for a hospital or medical center. It has really
gotten me thinking about going back to get an MBA. Such exciting experience!
Shopping for Dresses!
Now, to be honest, shopping for bridesmaids dresses was the
most stressful part of wedding planning (tied with choosing the guest list of
course. I thought bridesmaid dress shopping would be fun but it was really hard
deciding on something that seven different people who like and something that seven
different people would look good in at the wedding. As you can see above,
Lauren, Olivia (Maids of Honor), and I had a little fun along the way. That was
the first place that we went to and I left both excited and stressed. I finally
just had to choose one that looked formal, was simple but trendy, and was a
great color for the wedding. While I would love for my bridesmaids to like the
dress and to wear them again, I had to just let it go. I love them and the
color is perfect! I cannot wait to see everything put together!
A Little Bit of Tears
This picture was taken at my grandmother's 75th birthday in
Macon, GA. It was a really fun party and very exciting to be able to be a part of
this point in my grandmother's life. Shortly after her party though, I got the
bad news that she had been diagnosised with colon cancer. At a time in your
life when you feel like nothing could tear you down, this was a big blow. To
me, hearing the word "cancer" just sounds like "death", especially
now that I am learning so much about oncology. My other grandmother struggled
with many different types of cancer and then lost the fight. I could not
imagine both of my grandmothers not being there on my wedding day or even just
not a part of my life anymore. They did not waste much time before getting her
into surgery and later we got the best news we could possibly get! They were
able to get all the cancer and connect all the necessary body parts back
together! The doctor was so confident in the findings that the only follow up
she will need is once a year! There could be no better result than that! God is
good! I'm excited to have my grandmother sitting in the first couple rows as I
walk down the aisle. I am beyond grateful!
Engagement Party
The George Family is basically my
second family. Even when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays we
always spend dinner together. Not to mention that Sarah has been one of my best
friends since elementary school. So, I don't know how to explain how honored I
felt when they threw Tim and I an Engagement Party. It really meant a lot! We
had a lot of good friends there to celebrate and they cooked the most amazing
food! Since it was on Cinco De Mayo, the theme was Fiesta. Tim and I both loved
it and had a really good time. Both Dr. George and my Dad gave the sweetest
speeches in which I had to hold back tears. It means so much to have the people
that know me most, accept and approve of Tim. I love him dearly and I am so
excited to have friends and family who are just as happy about our marriage as
I am.
Bridal Shower
One thing that has really caught me off guard throughout the
wedding process is how giving everyone has been to both Tim and I. Five
wonderful women who are my Mother's friends and women who watched me grow up
threw me the greatest bridal shower! I had family, old friends, college
friends, neighbors, and soon to be family all there. I loved having all the
different women in my life coming together and meeting each other! All of these
events have been so special to me. It really means a lot to have all these
people behind me as I walk and stand before God and profess my covenant between
Tim and myself. I am one blessed young lady.
Bachlorette Party! Wahoo!!
I do not know where to begin to express how thankful I am
for having such a wonderful group of women! Lauren and Olivia could not have
done a better job planning my last weekend as a single lady! I absolutely loved
it! It was really special to me to have all the different friends that I loved
throughout my life in the same place. I had my sisters (Lauren and Olivia),
childhood friends from Georgia (Ashley, Jillian, and Olivia), childhood and
high school friends from Greensboro (Sarah, Taylor, Ann Louise, and Jill), and
college friends (Meredith, Michelle, Amy, Kristen, and Emily). All the people
who have been in my life at the most important stages were all in the same
place at the same time. It meant so much to me to have everyone there and to
have everyone meet! I love them each so much and don't think they could ever
know how much each of them means to me. This was definitely the best beach trip
I have ever had!
Roanoke Rapids Party
In this picture we are definitely all smiles! Tim's Mom
threw us a wonderful party in Roanoke Rapids, the area where Tim grew up. We had
hot dogs, hot weather, and great community! For me it was so much fun meeting
the people that Tim grew up around. I got to meet his old teachers, neighbors,
and church-goers. If I did not know how lucky I was, now I certainly do. Plenty
of people kept talking about what a great man Tim has become and how he was
always such a good role model when he was younger. He is an amazing and strong
man. I have complete faith that he will lead our family well. I cannot wait to
see how much more of a greater man he becomes!
And to Finish it Off...
My handsome Groom serving me! Tim, my Mom, my Aunt Lynne, her friend Elizabeth, and I went to a wedding show in Wilmington called Courtyards and Cobblestones. While most men think wedding planning is lame, Tim wanted to come along just so we could still be able to spend some time together. I am so blessed! Tim has been so wonderful being there for me and stepping back when he needs to. I can't wait to marry him in less than forty days! I love him!