Party Like it's 2011

This weekend we kicked off our wedding celebration by hosting our own engagement party. We cleaned the house like crazy, wrote toasts, shopped for new outfits, and contemplated just how special it would be to have all of our lovely friends in one room.

And it was. 

We are very blessed to have fantastic friends, but more blessed that they each think each other are fantastic as well.  This was the first time that many of them had met each other, which can always create a sticky situation between groups of friends.  But there were no problems.  Girls giggled and talked about girly things.  Boys bonded and created crazy things to do for fun.  Girls planned future excursions and dreamed about bridal showers and the shoes they'll wear at weddings.  Boys planned future drinking weekends where they would hit golf balls in the backyard and fill coolers with ice and Ice. 

Here is the anatomy of our weekend.  


We started off the weekend with the two people who knew how to started a party better than anyone else in the world: Liz and Dan. The four of us found ourselves drinking and laughing at an outdoor bar, the only ones dancing in the joint, and not having a care in the world.  They then helped us break in the backyard when we went back to the house, stayed up late, and psyched ourselves up for the next day.

Each day this weekend became better than the one before. 

I loved dancing with Dan on Thursday and hearing him say, "I am so glad we're hanging out tonight Catherine" and "will you quiz me on CPR tomorrow?" 

I loved shopping with Liz on Friday, carefully picking through clothing and sunglasses, and squealing with each new dress we'd find.  I loved that feeling of having a sister for once, and even more than that, having quality girl time, which I find myself lacking all too often. 

I loved keeping Theresa company in the bathroom and chatting with my other sister about how everything was going.  I loved lending her products and getting a chance to finally catch up, after weeks of phone tag. 

I loved finally seeing Katie after 4 years and again feeling like nothing had changed.  As with our phone calls over the years, we picked up right where we left off, like no time had passed. 

I loved opening up to Jon and disguising how much I adore him by telling him he needs a woman to adore him.  I loved letting my guard down and giving our best man a kiss on the cheek, which is what I should have done all along. 

I loved being the person to open the front door when Randy showed up, surprising everyone.  I loved watching his presence and energy take over the house and recharge everyone he saw.

I loved that despite the miles, my brother took the time to call me and check in. 

That is my wedding party.  These are my rocks. 


And what a beautiful bunch we are.

Thank you to Sammy's for creating the perfect meals.  Appetizers of Italian meats and cheeses, bruschetta, caprese salad, and zucchini marinated in tomatoes and yumminess. 

   

My girls mean to the world to me.

Kudos to K for the amazing candid shots.  You rock babe. 

And you boys are pretty amazing too

Studs.

But us girls?  We knew how to get the after-party started.  Slipping away from the boys in our getaway car, and stopped in at the FireHouse for a quick nod to my home state.

And the rest is history. 

Best friends made pacts. New friends formed lasting bonds.  Boys developed bromances.  Drinks were poured for each other.  Stories were exchanged.  Memories were created.  Advice was sought.  Love was shared.

The cycle was repeated the next night. 

We were drunk not off of mudslides and long island ice teas, but of anticipation for next year.  For Seattle. For a wedding. For more memories and more chances to share what we have with the people around us.

We were drunk off of life and the love that it constantly offers us. 

So here I am, thousands of miles from where I was created and born. Thousands of miles from where I grew up and from where I thought the only friendships for me exhisted.  Missing my home, and missing my family, but watching my life and my capacity to love grow more and more.

Thank you my loves.  Thank you for this weekend and for the times to come.