This is it.

I've reached that point.

When I heard about it, I didn't think it'd happen to me. I thought I'd be too happy, too excited. But no, I hit the official melting point yesterday.

Leaving Boston Store in tears yesterday because they didn't have three of an attendant gift I wanted to buy, and then snapping at Dave this morning and dissolving into sobs when he asked me how long it would take him to get downtown to the courthouse on his lunch (honestly, figure it out yourself, dude – I have enough to think about), I knew I'd gone over the edge.

The wedding needs to get here right now before I have a breakdown.

Suddenly, I have 25 wedding-related things on my brain at any given moment. You want me to work? Clean the house? Remember things like people's birthdays and what time my favorite TV shows are on? Forget about it.

I'm thinking about picking up the marriage license, and the dress, and the tux. I'm thinking about buying guest book pens and wrapping gifts and packing for the honeymoon. I'm worrying about the weather and our health and my zit situation. I'm emailing the florist and calling the caterer. I'm tearing my hair out over the seating arrangements and getting those final few guests to give me their meal choices.

I could go on.

Who knew that even after months and months of meticulous planning, I'd still be scrambling to get everything done?

But don't get me wrong – I am still able to be excited, and I really do know that when all is said and done, none of that will matter. Dave and I can't look at each other anymore without smiling like big old goofballs (except, of course, for when I'm freaking out on him for not being more sympathetic and helpful). A great majority of our conversations are focused around how much guacamole we think we can eat in 7 days. And all this week, I've thoroughly enjoyed dropping the "I'm getting married next week" into every conversation I can possibly get it into.

Any moment that I'm not stressing about the million things I have to do, I'm picturing what I imagine will be my favorite moments: seeing myself and my girls and my whole family dressed to the nines, seeing my flowers and my cake, saying the vows, dancing.

Most of all, over and over, I picture the moment at the start of the ceremony when the music stops and the doors close, and Dad and I position ourselves behind them. They open and there is the chapel, full of every person I love, with Dave right at the end of the aisle, waiting for me. That moment when we first see each other – my heart just bursts when I think of that moment.

And it's going to be happening in 9 days. Nine little days!! Practically EIGHT little days now, as a matter of fact!

I wanted to check in because I’m not sure how many more times I'll be able to post between now and then. I'm busy every day until the wedding!

Tomorrow night we have dinner with Dad and Barb. Dad wants us to practice our father/daughter dance a few times so we get it perfect when it counts. Saturday is Dave's cousin, Melissa's, wedding. (Yay for weddings!) Sunday we're going to go shopping for honeymoon clothes and books, finish all the little projects we must finish – and practice our own dance a little bit!

Monday night I drop off the BIG payment at the reception place, along with all the stuff they will set out for me: favors, photos, guestbook, card box, cake servers, toasting flutes, etc. Tuesday I get my eyebrows waxed. Wednesday I pick up THE DRESS and Dave's tux. Wednesday is also my last day of work until I go back Tuesday, November 7. Whoo hoo! 

Thursday I have the day off to clean our house and pack and take care of last-minute things. Then Friday it all begins!! Lunch with the girls followed by manicures and pedicures, then the rehearsal and dinner. Saturday … hmm, what's going on Saturday? Oh yeah, we're getting maaaaarried!

Sunday we recover a bit, open some presents and hit the sack for a few hours. Then Monday early, early, EARLY we head down to Chicago to fly to Mexico until the following Sunday. Ahhhhhhh.

These plans have been made for so long and it's just so WEIRD that suddenly, they're about to happen! It really felt like it'd never get here. But it's here. It's time. And I'm ecstatic.

I just have to get through this last week. Four more days of work. Eighteen thousand little tasks. Probably a few more tears, a few more frustrations. But a whole lot of happy anticipation, too. The day is so close I can feel it. I can hear it. I can taste it. Wow. Just wow.

I'll check back in next week sometime! 

Comments

[Krista]

Eeeeeeeek! I am SO excited for you! Sigh. I can't wait 'til my turn! :-)

Have a wonderful week of final preparations!

[Elizabeth]

I have tears in my eyes as I can totally relate and remember feeling exactly how you're feeling. You have such a great perspective... you know that it's all going to come together and be so worth it in the end. I'm so incredibly excited for you! Enjoy these last few days. Enjoy the few moments of peace you'll find. Enjoy the smiles and hugs from family and friends as they begin coming into town. Enjoy the craziness! Because after the craziness comes the awesomeness of the wedding and reception, followed by the peace and quiet of the honeymoon. Enjoy it all!

[kelly]

This post was super exciting. I am so excited for you! Can't wait to hear every detail about the big day...

[kelly]

p.s. I love the picture of the milk - I totally do the same thing when something exciting is coming up and I see a commercial for a movie or something and it says what date it is coming out...I always think - yay! by Nov.11, I will be in Florida (or whatever the exciting thing may be)...

...or maybe you were just taking the picture because it had the date of your wedding on it and weren't thinking - "I will be married by the time this milk has expired"...

...In which case, I have rambled on much too long.

[Erin]

LOL Kelly - no, you had it right! I did indeed think "I will be married by the time this milk expires." It's crazy! Milk doesn't last very long! :)

[Katy]

I'm SO excited for you Erin! I'll admit, reading this post got me a little sad that my wedding is over, but so very happy for the fun that's right around the corner for you! I hit my "breaking point" the Tuesday of my wedding week--so it's good you have hit yours and don't have to worry about it interfering with next week:) Enjoy every minute of everything--shopping for the honeymoon, still being engaged at your last "wedding" as an engaged couple--all of it! Have fun!!!

[Christi]

hahaha you'll be getting married, while you're milk is beginning to curddle =)

[Dave]

The first thing I plan on eating when we get back is a homemade cheese sandwich.

[Erin]

Ok, I can't really get over the lameness of the last two comments. I'm embarrassed that you're two of my favorite people. Seriously.

[Julie]

Erin,
Reading that brings me back to the same time in our wedding planning, it seems like it was just yesterday. Don't worry, everything will work out, even the glitches will be fine! The two biggest things to keep in mind are, you are marrying the man you love and once your wedding day begins, there is nothing else to worry about. Everyone else will have your back, and there is nothing that could go so incredibly wrong that it will ruin your perfect day. Just remember to enjoy your day from beginning to end, for it will fly by so quickly. Congrats, and best wishes!
Love Matt & Julie Gerber

[Tracey]

Hey Girl, Just remember at this point it's done. All the planning is done and now just relax. I know you're probably thinking, are you crazy!? But the more you try to relax and let silly things go the more you will enjoy this final week and your day. I have seen brides be miserable the entire week of wedding and day of! I know you will have a great day. You have a great attitude and are keeping things in perspective - that you are marrying the man you love. Some women forget that and just think of the wedding and details. That is what helped me through my final week and day. I was marrying the man I loved and I didn't care about anything at that point.
Have a great week and a great wedding. Congratulations!
Tracey

[Christi]

Is a "wedding forecast" any different than the regular weather? ;)

[Charlie]

just remember to breathe