I say it like that, but really I am so thrilled. So far I have 5 weddings planned for next year, and while it might be a smart idea to pick and choose the ones I'm closest too, I can't possibly miss any of these weddings. Between all 5 of them, I am most excited about the three below who have been some of my closest friends and together we have made it through life's craziest times.
Sara and Mike:
Sara and I have known each other literally since we were in diapers. I get to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, and am so thrilled for her that she met Mike. They are going to get married next October with a beautiful New England Fall wedding with an incredible backdrop to their wedding. I have loved this girl like a sister for most of my life. She has pushed me toward God, toward shooting for the stars, and has taught me that if you don't truly love yourself, you aren't living the best life possible. We have been friends across town, across the east coast, across MD. Been close and been far. We've survived becoming teenagers, discovering boys, playing basketball, and producing creative plays and musical presentations for our parents. Mike is amazing for her. He is supportive, encourages her love of teaching and kids, has a great heart, and can ALWAYS make her smile. He treats her so well and you can see how much he loves her.
Maris and Eric:
The most recent couple to take the dive into engagement-hood. First of all - STUNNING ETSY ring (he did a very good job)! They are very cute together, love to do nerdy things, indulge themselves in the hipster-ness, and can always be relied on to have something new and interesting to do. Maris and I became friends in high school. She liked the guy I liked, and I had the mentality "Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer." I got to know Maris because I wanted to keep her from edging in on my man. DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT THAT STORY. Well good news is that the guy has come and gone from both of our lives, and we are left as half of a complete breakfast. Friends like Maris are a dime a dozen, and I often think what would a hormonal girl do during teenage angst without her good friends to drive around P-ville in the middle of the night taking ridiculous pictures, having dance parties, and hitting the local diner up at 3am? But Eric is a great man for her, and I love how independent they both are while still being so completely in love and committed to each other. Eric is funny, and smart, and can get along with her dad really well! While it will be sad to see these two up and move halfway across the country, I have no doubt that they will be living an incredible life together. And oh - did I mention they are quirky, funny, and super ADORABLE??
Kyle and Caitlin,
Kyle is a different kind of friend than Sara and Maris. I think Kyle and I became friends out of convenience, and stayed friends out of awesomeness - but that cemented each other as a big part of each other's lives. Freshman year of college 2 of Kyle's friends were in my dorm late on a Saturday chatting up some girls on our floor. Then another one of his friends became interested in my friend. Through these interwoven relationships, I met Kyle. Throughout college, a group of friends formed, including Kyle and I. Then we started having classes and inevitablly being nerds together. We would hang out at 1400 Linden and light Kyle (and eyebrows) on fire, watch Nip/Tuck, have parties, play pranks, have dance parties, going to Pennies and winning the World Series, and lived the college dream. I am partial, but our friend group was pretty much the best. Junior year Kyle and I went to London together for spring break, and had an amazing time. He drove Lisa and I to a house party in an ambulance one time, and we had countless other memories that need not be mentioned on a public blog. Kyle was like the big brother I never had. When senior year came around, Kyle had a 3 bedroom apartment in MD outside of DC, and had only one girl roommate. When I got offered a job, I moved down here into the extra room in their place. That first year out of college we played kickball together, made some interesting friends, and some really cool ones, discovered DC, had a terrible cat, and almost had our apartment burned down one time. Now he and Caitlin are back up in NJ, buying a home and starting a life together. They have an adorable dog, and have come very far in their careers. They are perfect for each other and I am very excited for their wedding - which is bound to be beautiful because let's face it - Caitlin is planning it! Sad that they are now up in NJ starting a life because it reminds me that that part/time of my life has passed, but still VERY excited about what is in store!
