Silver sixpence in her shoe…

Today I came home to yet another sweet surprise in the mail from my brother’s friend Carol.  It was nicely wrapped silver sixpence coin and personal note.

A few months ago, I wrote a post about Something Old…Something New...and wrote about how there is a last line that says “and a silver sixpence in her shoe”.  Carol’s note stated that the “sixpence” must be worn in the left shoe as the bride goes down the aisle to insure wealth and prosperity in the marriage.

My favorite line from her note was…”Michelle, when I found this, I thought of you and hope it brings you and Alex lots of wealth in your marriage…What the heck, it already is creating wealth in your marriage because the sixpence is no longer minted therefore it can only go up in value. he he
Hugs,
Carol

Very thoughtful..and witty. Thanks Carol.

Wind storm

Did everyone survive okay? The damage caused by the gusty winds threw off our day and we were not able to accomplish as much. Luckly our house and cars are okay, unlike some of our neighbors’.  I heard way too many stories today of unfortunate situations. Alex and I are blessed that only a few roof shingles flew off…and the large broken branches that fell did not hurt anyone, or anyone’s property. Needless to say, wedding planning was put on hold today.

Bridal shower photos

These just don’t do the party justice. I’m trying to showcase the amount of detail that went into center peieces, food, games, custom water bottles, and gifts. I think I’m missing a few photos of the delicious kabobs, Bon-Bonerie cake and cookies, time capsule and family photos with cousins and aunts/uncles. Thanks again to the entire family for a wonderful party!

The spark is still there…

Yesterday Alex’s mom’s side of the family threw us a very heart warming family bridal shower / celebration. I can’t even begin to describe how much thought, detail, and time his Aunt Kim (and honestly the entire family) dedicated to make this event extraordinary (insert tear drop #1).  Julie and Bob provided a delicious dinner and even my parents were able to travel to Cincinnati to attend. I can’t wait to share photos and more details with you in my next post!

Let’s just say the night included a FIREWORKS display! At some point in the past, Alex had mentioned to his mom & grandma that he wanted fireworks on his wedding day. Since our parish will most likely not allow fireworks on church property, his family thought a fireworks display would very fitting at the party.  Alex’s cousin Clinton and Godfather Barry set off a spectacular show that couldn’t have been more perfect  (insert tear drop #2). After the fireworks, we played with 3 feet long sparklers (which I LOVED!). Alex and I lit ours first…and then we lit the rest with our “spark”.

To top the evening off, the Backscheider family created a TIME CAPSULE for us and packaged it in a luggage trunk (about 2 feet by 2 feet). No one but Aunt Barb knows exactly what is all in this time capsule, other than it is full of surprises and memories that we can’t open until our 10 year wedding anniversary…in 2018.

(insert a sobbing mess of tears for so many reasons)

I have 10 poppers left over from the party that I’m going to hold on to for when we open the time capsule… to signify that “the spark is still there”.  May our next 10 be has joyous as our first.

Silver medal goes to…

…my younger brother John for not only renting his tuxedo…but also booking his hotel room. I figured he gets the Silver since Brian got the Gold. 

Honestly, I take that back, he was the third out of four brother’s to book their hotel. Sorry John, you might get a bronze medal instead. Liz - that means the Silver is yours for being the 1st bridesmaid to book your hair appointment! 

Honestly, John is a great brother! He is always calling and asking…”What can I be doing? What do you need help with? When can I order my tux? When can I meet the other groomsmen?” He’s already reached out to Alex’s brothers (best men Aaron and Perry) to see what he can do to help plan remotely from Columbus. 

Just him calling and asking how things are going and saying that he wanted to be involved means a lot. Thanks for looking out for your older (but wiser) sis.

Who is Michelle Lee Weber?

She does not show up in Google results. She has no history. She doesn’t exist…well, yet. (insert smile).

However, when I Google “Michelle Prenger”….she has about 10 results show up, including her work history, volunteer, social activities and connections through online social communities (Facebook, Linked In, My Space, etc.). She exists! I know her.
I am her!

I know I’m not losing my identity and I’m actually excited about the whole process… but I just had to announce to the whole world that it is still a strange feeling to change your name! I guess it is just a part of the process of being a bride! I have always fully intended to take Alex’s last name…and our friends already refer to us as “The Webers”. I guess I need to start practicing my new signature! (I confess, I have been doodling it for years!)

What I do want to communicate is that I look forward to creating the story of “Michelle Weber” …so one day you can Google my name and learn all about the fabulous things I have accomplished in my career…and family life!

Real as it gets…

I promised to myself that this blog would be used to log both the joys and challenges along our engagement. Over the past few months, I have been challenged with the notion that my only sister might not be able to stand by my side on my wedding day.

My sister is truly an amazing woman, and is 100% dedicated to everything she does. Brenda, who is not only a loving wife, nurturing mother of two young boys and managing a full time job, but is also set to graduate from college this December (weeks after my wedding)! We are sooo excited for her!

However, with that said, she feels as if she can’t give 100% to being an active member of the bridal party… and has decided the best thing for her and her family was to take one item off her plate. Together, we decided that it would be best for her not to worry about the wedding planning and step down as co-matron of honor, so she can focus more time on her husband, boys and getting that degree this winter. How can I compete with that!?

She is still my sis, the person who helped transform me into a young woman, and has always been my rock - the one I lean on in times in need. She will still be an active part of my wedding day and will play many other “worker bee” roles. I wouldn’t want anything else for her than to be happy and feel less stressed, and for the first time in a long time, I saw her smile.

So, for those brides-to-be (as a few brides have found my blog online), please know that if someone needs to pull out of your wedding party for whatever reason, please know its what is best for them, and they can still play an important role in your wedding - just being there is all that matters.

He “popped” the question

Over the weekend we received a super cute invitation in the mail to a family party in honor our of engagement. The invitation read:

He “POPPED” the question…and she said YES!
His & Her Family Celebration..and then went on with the date, location, etc.

The creative part is that the invitation was wrapped around a package of microwave POPCORN! How clever!

Thank you Aunt Kim & Uncle Barry (Alex’s Aunt & Godfather) in advance for hosting this party! We are looking forward to seeing everyone!

Weber ladies return from New York

Seventeen (yes, 17) lovely ladies of the Weber family just returned home from a five day vacation in NYC.Thank you so much for inviting me along on the trip. I had an absolute blast with my “new family”.

We stayed in Times Square, visited all the major attractions (Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Museum of Modern Art, NBC Studio, Wall Street, etc.) attended Broadway shows (Phantom of the Opera and Hairspray) and shopped our little hearts out in Soho and Chinatown. We completed our week with mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday morning followed by a wonderful brunch at Tavern on the Green.

Oh, and I met Oprah!

Alex loved his souvenirs and is happy to hear we all made it back safe and sound.

Hope to see everyone that couldn’t attend the NYC trip at the BPI weekend (Aug 1st).

Kristin will perform

Ever since I heard Alex’s cousin Kristin play the violin for the first time (many moons ago), I had hoped that one day she would perform during our wedding ceremony. That day is quickly approaching and we are honored to announce that she has graciously accepted. Yay!

Her music is absolutely beautiful. I simply can’t describe it in words. I am just extremely happy that the timing of the wedding and her travel plans home for Thanksgiving seem to coordinate. Kristin is Tim and Carol’s daughter, recently graduated from Berklee College of Music and just returned from a European tour with her band, The Young Republic. Many thanks Kristin!

Meet Michelle’s Siblings

Then…

Now…

In age order: Brenda, David, Terry, Kevin, Michelle & John. We are not exactly in the same order from photo to photo, but more so reversed in order. I do find it amusing that Kevin is still holding “Johnny”. Yes, you may leave comments about everyone’s hairstyles circa 1981.  :o)

We’ll post Alex’s family soon!

Daddy’s Little Girl

I received a heart filled call last week from my Dad, requesting that we get to spend some quality time together this Father’s Day. He sounded a little sad and mentioned how this would be his last father’s day with me “before I have a new husband and new family” and what he implied, someone else to take care of me and who I will turn to first in times of need. I was painfully amazed that he thought he is losing his little girl. See, in my mind, I’m 30 years old…not really going anywhere…and I feel like not too much is really go to change when I get married, but in his world, everything is changing.

I kindly reminded him that I’ll always be his daughter. It kind of choked me up. Still does as I write this.

Thank you Dad for caring and being so proud of us, and our life together. Happy Father’s Day.

Happy Home Recipe

In my last post, I mentioned my favorite gift from the bridal shower was a cookbook the Weber aunts created. Tonight,  I wanted to try out one of the recipes and this was the first one listed. Let me know what you think.

Happy Home Recipe:

4 cups love
2 cups loyalty
4 quarts faith
2 spoonfuls of tenderness
4 spoons kindness
4 spoons understanding
3 cups forgiveness
1 cup friendship
5 spoons of hope
1 barrel of laughter

Take love and loyalty and mix it thoroughly with faith.
Blend it with tenderness, kindness, and understanding and forgiveness.
Add friendship and hope.
Sprinkle abundantly with laughter.
Bake it with sunshine.
Serve daily with generous helpings.

I think this recipe might call for two cooks in the kitchen. :o)

Thanks everyone!

Six month countdown

Yup, the wedding is six months from today.

My married friends all said the engagement goes by so quickly and I honestly didn’t believe them at first. Once Alex and I set our date, we thought November was so far away. Boy was I wrong!

I’m trying not to let the wedding consume my life but rather stay involved in social activities such as co-ed softball and training for a triathlon with friends. However, I must admit, planning a wedding is very time consuming and it has cut into my triathlon training.

In regards to planning a wedding, I think my cousin Tina said it the best…”the devil is in the details”. :o)

I think what I am looking forward to the most is the reunion with friends and extended family. It’s been exciting to hear how so many people are making plans to attend our wedding or rearranging their Thanksgiving plans to stay/come into town.

I just want to say thanks!

Can’t go back now

So, the conversation today went something like this:

Michelle: So, are you sure we want to do this?
Alex: Absolutely. Go ahead.

And with that said, the first wave of Save-the-Date cards were placed in the mail (to out of town guests)..and the bridesmaid dresses ordered. :o)

It’s finally hitting me.
We’re getting married!

Something old, something new…

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

I did some research and found out each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. “Something old” symbolizes continuity with the bride’s family and past. “Something new”means optimism and hope for the bride’s new life ahead. “Something borrowed” is usually and item from a happily married family member or friend, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride she can depend on her friends and family. “Something blue” is a tradition that has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. “A silver sixpence” in the brides left shoe represents wealth and financial security. Since a silver sixpence are rare to find these days, typically a dime or penny is substituted.

If anyone has any creative ideas for these customs that I can use on my wedding day, please send them my way. Thanks!

Break Tradition?

The recent challenge we are facing is the physical location of the wedding. Traditionally, weddings are held in the brides home town, but what do you do if over 75% of the guest are from the Groom’s hometown (which is where we currently reside). It’s been a logistical nightmare trying to find the best option for both sets of families and friends. Minster weddings are more about the extended reception, partying and dancing from 8 until midnight, whereas Cincinnati weddings focus more on the banquet dinner and elegant evening decor. I’m torn on what I want and how we’ll be able to integrate both traditions to make it “our” special day.