Wake up call..

So, I'm starting to finally feel what it's going to be like after Graham and I get married..

It's no longer about ME, but US.

My YSA ward has dinner groups once a month, and of course, my apartment is host to these awkward events. So, in comes a bunch of people I don't know, and I'm supposed to socialize with them. It's not like I don't want to--I just don't know them. I'm not like one of those annoying people that only socialize with other couples. I just don't like all the awkward conversations.

Anyways, so.. girls notice I'm engaged, and they only ask questions about Graham, or our story. No longer is anybody interested in Sherri, just Sherri and Graham.

At first, I was entertained by this change in social environment. I was like haha, this is new.

Then I was annoyed. HELLO. I am a separate person and have a whole background story. My life story was not erased when I said "yes" to Graham.

Now, I realize--this is what marriage means. Merging your lives and becoming one as a couple. It's no longer me mE ME. I hope that's only as selfish as I'll ever be.

Wedding Planning

So I've gotten several requests for some updates on my future wedding..

Ok, so my budget isn't the highest. It doesn't quite allow for me to do all the things I want to do. I wanted a cocktail party style reception with high tables and some light music in the background. However, due to budget restraints (the low tables are free, high tables are not), that idea was cancelled. I would like a pianist playing some music, like some Brian McKnight, in the background.. But, due to budget constraints and reception site constraints, that idea was scratched. Poo.

However, many things have gone well..

I found my dress at a random bridal shop in Folsom. I have to get sleeves added, but still, I will be absolutely gorgeous in it. And, I haven't seen anyone wear a dress that looks like it. I have will have back piece two-layer veil that will come down to my fingertips. I'm going to have my hair up, with a ribbon at the top instead of a tiara or sparkly headpiece.

My reception is NOT in a cultural hall, although I do like balloons in the basketball hoops. Barf. We're having our California reception at the Folsom Rotary Clubhouse. We found an absolutely beautiful church in Portland that looks like an English tudor mansion, and the cultural hall is not a basketball court. It isn't our ward's building, so we have to do some negotiating.

I have linens, candles, and flower centerpieces. My bridesmaids are going to have ivory bouquets--gerbera daisies. Simple and elegant. Mine is going to be burgundy with roses and lilies. Of course, the modest bridesmaid dresses I found are out of certain sizes, so... Arrrgh. I hate looking for modest dresses! There aren't many that don't look like flight attendant uniforms! And, the ones that don't cost more than $300.

I'm going to have a three-tier square cake with fondant. There are going to be swirly designs on the sides, and one side has buttons going down to mirror the buttons on my dress. Then, on the top of the cake, our initials are going to be in sugar, held up on sticks. The sticks will be covered up by some burgundy roses.

As for the food, it's going to be hors d'oeuvres for a light meal. We can't quite decide on what the beverages will be.

Graham and I are going to be spending our first night together in a luxury bed and breakfast in Sacramento (Inn at Parkside). Our lil honeymoon will be spent in San Fran (the Westin Union Square) until Christmas Eve. We plan on going to Hawaii (Kuaui) for a real honeymoon after I graduate in June.

Anyways, I've been planning like CRAZY and it's like almost all done! Yay!

Trip back home

Ok, so here is a photo blog entry of what went on over the weekend, but backwards.. I refused to take any pictures on the day that Graham proposed because I looked so sick. These pictures are classic.

We went on the gondola at Heavenly, and there were bears up by the viewing deck. Hello little baby-faced killas. Plus, there was the most beautiful view of Lake Tahoe up there. Lovely lovely day.

We went to the A's game with my family, as well as Darren and Tish. We also made a stop at a Wal-Mart in Oakland, which had to be the most awesome and most diverse store ever. I had my first sniff of sweet stinky weed in the parking lot. On the way home, we also stopped at the Oakland Temple. Beautiful.

We met together for breakfast at Mimi's and had a wonderful time. Saturday night, we all had a sleepover at Tish and Darren's house. I have not laughed that hard in a long time. Yay--we're all happy and almost all married!

Our first flight together. It was delayed an hour and stressed me out. I hate flying sometimes. Arrrrgh.

Anyways, I am back from California... not really rested since I made tons of wedding plans.. I was actually pretty dang exhausted last night when I got back in town. Graham took me out to a Cajun restaurant, where I tried jambalaya for the first time and Graham learned that "cajun" isn't a spice.

We started our registry at Macy's today and I had sooooooo much fun! I kept asking Graham about stuff, and he was like "sure babe, that looks good". Funny.

Ok well, I'm loving life!

I'm ENGAGED!

Craziness! I was speechlesss.

Here's our wedding website that we started today:
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Check it out.