XX Chromosomes

I realized today that I had yet to introduce you to my bridesmaids. There are five lovely ladies who will be standing by me at the alter. I have felt their love and support through the entire planning process as well as in my everyday life. They have been a shoulder to cry on and a kick in the butt to get me started on projects. I can't thank them enough for being there for me and being apart of our wedding.

 Maid of Honor / Sister: P

Brooks and Dunn Last Rodeo Concert 2010 - MOH P on the left

P is my sister who is 9 years older than I. We shared a room from the time I was born till my oldest brother moved out to CA. I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am today without her. She helped raise me because wherever she went, I went. Whatever she did, I wanted to do too. P has been a tremendous help to me throughout the whole planning process. She was the first person I got to share the news with and she was with me when I bought my dress. MOH P is in the navy and has 2 beautiful kids who are in the wedding.

Bridesmaid: E

 BM E

E is Ben's sister who is two years younger than us. Ben taught her all he knew and this led to her being so smart (this is what B and E tell me all the time). E now lives in the same city as we do and so we get to hang out with her pretty often. This past weekend she helped us pick out the groomsmen wedding outfits. E has readily accepted me as family and I really appreciate all she does. Especially helping me keep B sane, and believe me, it isn't easy. E is always there with a joke to lighten the mood. She will have her camera at the ready at all the pre-wedding events as well as at the wedding since she is such a wonderful photographer and starting her business. Yeah, lots of pictures!

Bridesmaid: B

Wine Tasting Festival - 2010 (B on right)

 

B is my best friend since 2nd grade. She and I have been through thick and thin together. She and her family took me in for a week when my dad had a heart attack when we were in 6th grade. When I moved to my hometown school in 7th grade, B and I began to loose touch. We then ran into each other in passing when we both ended up at JMU. She and I can call each other and blow off steam about stupid undergrads and how our projects aren't working. She is pursuing her PhD in Biology. B has helped me put some decorations together but best of all, she helped me make a To-Do list. It may not seem like much, but it helped my sanity!

Bridesmaid: K

BM K and husband J sitting on the porch at their home in SC

 

I have known K the longest of all of my friends since we went to preschool together. I distinctly remember going to her house for a birthday party way back when. When I moved to schools in the next town over (where I met BM B) we lost touch and only saw each other during GATE trips. Once I came back to my hometown schools, K quickly accepted me into her circle of friends where we had tea parties, sleep overs, and dips in her pool. During high school, K and I had most of our classes together and were even debate partners. K even joined the after school choir our senior year so she could go to Chicago with BM H and I for our senior trip. It was awesome! K and her husband, J, live in SC currently because her husband entered seminary this past fall. I was able to help them move and get settled which has been my job the past 2 times they moved. When they were planning the move, J told K that I had to do the kitchen because I organized their first kitchen so well. Even though she is so far away, K wants to help me with wedding projects. So we decided I'll mail her the stuff to make the favors so I can check it off my list.

Bridesmaid: H

BM H and her family

BM H tells me we were on the soccer team together when we were in first grade. I don't remember much of this except for never winning a game and getting my only bloody nose. But she has pictures to prove it. H's mom and my mom worked together when we were in 8th grade and so when our mom's got together, so did we. My first semester of high school I spent in Denmark and the only one of my friends to keep in contact with me was H. I never forgot that. She kept me filled in on all the events I was missing, like Homecoming. When I returned, I quickly found H at school and we were inseparable since. I spent so many nights at her house, traveling to see her grandparents, shopping, etc. Now she is married, has two children, and a full time job to keep her busy. I still go visit her every chance I get and I always leave in a much better mood than when I came. She is truly the sweetest person I know!

I am probably lucky in that it was so easy to choose who to have as my bridesmaids. I consider myself a person with a lot of friends but I have a few who are the best of the best and have been there from the beginning.

All pictures are personal photos or have been stolen from their facebook (haha)