Confessions of a Permanent Bridesmaid, Part 1

I'm on my way to a wedding this weekend, so I thought I'd borrow this post from my photoblog and share one of my bridesmaid experiences here, too. Incidentally, I showed this to a young cousin last weekend and she said "dude, you were fat." Yes, that's how our family rolls...and yes, I have lost a significant amount of weight since then. ; )

If you've ever read my bio, you may remember that I referred to myself as a professional bridesmaid.  I don't say that out of bitterness or sass, but because I've been in 14 weddings and helped with countless others.  I love all the weddings I've been in...out of state, backyard, fancy hotel, or ballroom, because each of them celebrated the joy and love my friends have found.

So yes, that means I've been a bridesmaid FOURTEEN times...and I kinda feel like I've seen it all.  So, as I've recently launched my new blog branding (look and feel), I wanted to begin a new series to share more about my life and the experiences I've had being in weddings, because really, this is a way to remember and celebrate my friends once again...and share some funny stories!

So, do you see that adorable couple on the right?  That's my big sister from my college sorority.  In October 2001, she married her best friend on a cold night in Texas on a beautiful golf course.  Yep, Jamie Kay Kleinsorge married Michele Poltronieri surrounded by family, friends, and some crazy Italians.  Wait, what?!

Yep, out of all the boys in Texas, my dear friend found an Italian pilot who was in town for training and snatched him up...and years later, they're still in love and still flying...only his English is far better and her Italian is, well, okay. : )

Sadly, because of the September 11th tragedies and attacks, most of his guests opted not to come to the US.  It was less than a month later, and the world still lived in uncertainty...

But that wasn't going to stop the party!

I have this image framed on my bookshelf and everytime I look at it, I wonder who those little girls are!  It's almost been ten years since they were married, which means we were all in our young 20s...just babies!

I look at this photo of myself walking down the aisle and I can remember the wind like it was yesterday...October in Texas is usually blazing hot!  I was so happy to be reunited with my college friends; we had a great time celebrating and spending time together...I can remember how surprised they were to see me show up in Texas with brown hair.  Up until that point, I'd been a blond...but a bad one.  Do you ever see someone and say to your friends, if I ever look like that, you've GOT to tell me? Well, I saw a photo of myself as a blond that year and was horrified that noone mentioned that I looked terrible!

When it was time for Jamie Kay to throw her bouquet, her little sister's friend (a very tall valleyball player), spiked it down right into my arms.  Look at the intensity (or whoops) on her face!  Everyone else clearly thinks it's hilarious...I hope she has forgiven me for being in the right place at the right time!  : )

When I am embarrassed, I often laugh loudly and shriek.  Here it was caught on film.  Nice.  I have to laugh at the poor guy's facial expression.  Doesn't it look like he's worried he'll get smacked?  I was a nice Christian girl and even though he had to get the garter onto my leg, I wasn't about to let him take any liberties.  Ha!

So, what did I learn from this bridesmaid experience???

The evening may not have had all the friends and family that were expected, and it may have been unusually cold, but there was joy, love, friendship, good food, good wine, GREAT dancing, and a beautiful bride and groom...and THAT makes for a perfect wedding!