Hey, I just met you …

Once again, I’ve decided to blog. My history with blogging isn’t all that great. Over the years, I’ve started and deleted many blogs … one was documenting a weight loss journal they just didn’t go the way I wanted it to; one was a book review blog, but I could never find the motivation to update it when I finished reading a book; and then there were various blogs about my life that just never really turned into anything, so I stopped updating them and deleted them.

I still haven’t decided what this blog is going to be about. Does every blog need a theme? Or can I just post occasionally when something eventful happens or when I need to vent about something? I think I’ll stick with the latter … but regardless, I’m hoping that since this blog is for Patch, I’ll be more motivated to post regularly. Here goes nothing!

Since this is my first blog on this site, I figured I’d just introduce myself. I’m Michele, I’m 25 years old (26 in September), and I’m getting married in October. Perhaps it seems strange to include the fact that I’m getting married in October as one of the very first things I tell you about myself, but the reason for that is, quite frankly, because at the moment I can’t really concentrate on anything else. Wedding planning has consumed my life. It’s all I think about all day and all I dream about at night. I got engaged last June, and we set our wedding date last July. It’s Oct. 13, 2012—giving us roughly 1 year and 3 months to plan our wedding. And don’t get me wrong, it’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed the dress appointments, bridesmaid dress shopping, venue visiting, and vendor shopping. I’ve enjoyed the bridal expos, cake tastings, and brainstorming. I haven’t really enjoyed the constant flow of money out of my baking account and into the hands of others, but really, who would?

Anyway, my goal was to be a relaxed bride, to enjoy wedding planning, and to not stress out over everything. I’ve known brides who can talk of nothing but their wedding, and I didn’t want that to be me. (Hm­­—I suppose writing a blog about my wedding isn’t the most effective way to make that point, but whatever. I’m over it). I think I’ve done a pretty good job. I’ve managed to keep my cool and not stress about anything, except maybe the money. I’ve enjoyed everything so far. And while I’ll admit that I do enjoy talking about my wedding, I think I do a good job of balancing wedding talk with other topics when I’m out with friends or family … and I hope that said friends and family would agree! Unless, of course, I’m out with one of my friends who happens to also be planning a wedding. In that case, it’s wedding talk all the way.

The point of saying all that is that yes, I believe that I have been able to accomplish my wedding planning goals. Until now. Now that my wedding is LESS THAN 4 MONTHS AWAY (holy sh*t!), I find myself stressing out. All the big things are booked, but I have a million and one little things to do. I’ve lost 13 pounds since February, but I want to lose more. My weekends are quickly filling up with non-wedding events, which begs the question: when are the little things going to get done?!?! Downtime at work has gone from browsing Facebook and Twitter to scanning the LIWeddings message boards and Googling vendors. I’ve got wedding on the brain, and it’s not going to go away any time soon.

I should mention that I am extremely lucky for the support system I have. My fiancé is amazing. He’s usually the planner in our relationship, but for our wedding, I’ve been taking the reigns. And I have to give him credit—he’s come to every appointment, willingly and happily, and has given his opinion on everything I’ve asked. He’s contributed ideas and we’ve planned everything together. I’m really lucky to have found a man who WANTS to help plan our wedding, because I don’t think it would be as much fun if he didn’t care. Love you, Ryan! In addition, my mom, future mother-in-law, maid of honor, and bridesmaids have been amazing as well. Luckily, I haven’t had to exploit them for anything yet (aside from asking my mom and sister to help stuff save the dates), but they’ve all let me know that they’re here for me and will help me with everything I need. I’ll definitely remember that when it’s time to stuff invitations! And it goes without saying that without the support from our parents, families, and friends, we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today. I truly love each and every one of them.

Of course, there is more to me than just my wedding. Here are few examples: I work as an editor for a medical communications company in NYC, and I’ve been there for 2 years. I’ve been dating Ryan since June 2005 and we moved in together in February 2011. We for a puppy, Penny, in September 2011. I love her to pieces, but she can be extremely trying at times. I love to read, and am currently finishing the Fifty Shades series (potential future blog post). I have a 1998 Toyota Corolla. It’s white with rust stains, is missing all 4 hubcaps, and the AC whistles, but I love my car and refuse to buy a new one until it literally falls apart. I have the best family and friends in the world, and even though I don’t always see them as often as I’d like to, they mean everything to me. I’m obsessed with tasti d-lite and eat it at least once a week. I love pizza, and I think I would eat it every day if I could guarantee it wouldn’t make me fat. Same with cereal. There’s nothing better than a giant bowl of cereal with milk. I don’t love working out, but I love the feeling it gives me when I’m done. I have, however, recently become addicted to spinning. And I plan to start going to hot yoga again soon.

So that’s basically me in a nutshell right now. Hope you enjoyed, and I’ll plan to post again soon!