I thought I wanted to have my make up professionally done on the wedding day and I really wanted to try false lashes. Then I got scared. I remembered that dreadful Britney Spears interview with Matt Lauer where her false lashes were falling off. Disaster!

I swear by Bobbi Brown makeup (just like my friend over at The Life and Times…) and decided to find out what she had in the world of mascara. I found this:

Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara

I love it! I use one coat of my usual Everything Mascara and then go over with this awesome stuff that lasts all day! All you brides-to-be should give it a try!

Music is such an important and influential part of my life. There was always music playing in my house growing up and it was always from the most random mix of genres. Choosing the songs for our wedding ceremony and for the first dance and father/daughter dance was a pretty hard task.

Todd and I have lots of songs that are “our songs,” but I didn’t really want to dance to any of those. I wanted something a little more timeless and classic for our wedding. When Todd and I met, we fell in love very quickly. I would sometimes say “fools rush in” and it reminded me of the Elvis song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The melody is so sweet and there is definitely no pressure when it comes to dancing to that song. I wanted us to dance to a song where we could just sway with each other and talk about the ceremony and what is going on at the reception. I know we’ll appreciate that time to talk before the chaos starts!

My dad and I also have lots of songs that are “our songs.” Our first song was, “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago. I couldn’t really imagine our band playing that song and I definitely didn’t want a recording of it. My dad and I love “Your Song” by Elton John because of its conversational tone. We often call each other and say, “anyway, the thing is… what I really mean…” The lyrics to that song always make us laugh and always make me think of my dad. Our friend will be singing the song and playing the piano, making it that much more special.

As far as our ceremony goes, we’ve chosen some sacred songs. We’re having “The Prayer”, “Seekers of Your Heart,” “Shine on Us,” and “Doxology.” I’m also having “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” played during the prelude and during our vows.

Music is one of the few ways that I found we could incorporate our personalities into the ceremony, and I’m so excited about the selections we’ve chosen.

Maybe I’m just tired. Maybe it’s because I feel like I can hear the theme song to Father of the Bride running through my head constantly. Maybe it’s because I’m remembering all of the special people, places, and moments in my life right now as the wedding gets closer. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that I am having a hard time not crying at the drop of a hat. Just walking to my car, I’ll start thinking about something sweet my dad said or something Walker and I did together years ago, and I’ll tear up and not be able to stop. I’m so excited about the wedding and can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives, but it’s definitely a bittersweet occasion. The tears are happy tears and sad tears. I was going to get on the plane in Dallas on Sunday evening and just before I went through security, my dad said, “I can remember the day we dropped you off at preschool and you turned around to wave goodbye.” Of course I lost it. What was he thinking bringing that up? 🙂

There’s something very strange about this process. Even though I know that I’m not saying goodbye to anyone, it definitely feels like I have to let go of a piece of myself and I don’t want to. I think it must be a girl thing. I’m clinging to the promise that Todd made to me and to the promise that God made to protect me and love me and make this an easy transition. And I’m also clinging to the fact that my parents and brother are a plane ride or a phone call away and the love I have for them will only get stronger!

Next weekend. I can’t believe how fast our engagement year flew by. Or how fast almost 26 years flew by.