Twas the Night Before the Nuptials...

It is the day before our wedding.  I graduated on Saturday (yes, that's Dr. Erin to you!), celebrated graduation by walking down the hill and getting sticky/disgusting/absolutely thrilled during the champagne shower, welcomed my sister and her boyfriend Alex home on Tuesday, and had a wonderful bachelorette party thrown by my wonderful friends and family on Tuesday night.   I will blog about all of these fabulous events and post pictures after our honeymoon.  (8 days, 7 nights in Jamaica at an all-inclusive resort?  Yes, please).

Today, I have been coming up with a checklist for brides on the day before their wedding.  Actually, it's just a checklist for me.  I've been laughing at some of the things I've been doing today, so I thought I would share:

• Get some sleep.  Saggy, baggy eyes do not look good - on anyone.  When your mother tells you to "find something that will put you out," maybe you should listen.
  
• Blog.  Okay, this is lame advice.  I just needed a distraction.
• Resign yourself to the fact that you will tell absolutely everyone you are getting married tomorrow.  The cashier at Target, the woman in Utah at the Discover credit card calling center.  No one is spared (and no one but you cares, although some do fake it pretty well).  Even when you try, the words, "...and then I am getting married tomorrow..." seem to just slip right out.
  
• Find something to do other than freak out about the impending wedding and last minute details.  I slathered on the sunscreen (so as not to have funky tan lines - this might have been a mistake) and went out to mow the yard.
  
• Think about all of the people who were affected by recent tornadoes.  Realize that any "disaster" that might occur at your wedding is absolutely nothing in comparison, and pray for them.
  
• Realize that mowing the yard was both helpful, destressing, and a good workout.  Then realize you should have worked out a lot more.  Oops.
  
• Be thankful when you realize your hubby-to-be did everything on his "to-do" list last night.  Take pity on his soul and pick up his tuxedo for him.
  
• Speaking of your future hubby, cross your fingers that you did not make the worst decision EVER by telling him that, sure, he can have his bachelor party the NIGHT BEFORE YOUR WEDDING.  Throw up a couple prayers for this as well, as God may have to get involved to stop any insanity.
  
• Realize how many people have helped in this day - it is humbling and amazing to realize how many people love you enough to offer help, encouragement, and support.
  
• Play with your extremely human-deprived puppies.  They've been saints when you realize how crazy and MIA you've been.
  
• Keep a meticulous and insane to-do list.  Realize you have time for about 1/4 of it.  Cross the rest out (or better yet, simply delete off your Blackberry....leaving no evidence that you did not make green lace placecards - the generic ones from your caterer will be just.fine).
  
• Look up the forecast in Jamaica only to realize there is an 80% chance of rain, every.single.day of your honeymoon.  Also realize you don't really care.  Pack 7 bikinis anyway.
  
• Realize you'd probably die without Diet Coke.  Shamefully, you are okay with this.
  
• Believe your caterer/planner when you call them with "justonelastthing!" and he tells you everything will be beautiful and perfect (and whatever isn't, no one will notice).
  
• Thank the Lord and whoever else is in charge of all of this business that you and your future husband found each other.  It IS what this whole day is about, after all.

I am so, so, SO excited for tomorrow and for our honeymoon.  Thank you for everyone who is a part of this. Dann and I love you and are so excited to celebrate with you!