How We Will Remember This

A thought occurred to me at the beach yesterday, and one that may seem obvious but only just became clear...

Years from now, when we look back at these past four months, this week before the wedding, we won't say, "It was horrible - it was so much hard work - it was exhausting - it was chaotic - it was stressful and tense."

Rather, I think we'll say, "We worked our butts off, got married and then had a great party."

I can't say that our trips to Sandy Pond since April have been at all fun or relaxing--in fact, quite the opposite. The trips were filled with early starts, skipped lunches, dinners at 10pm, lots of ibuprofen, and numerous fist bumps for crossing things off list.

What I can say, however, is how awesome it's been to be a part of this process; to watch everything come together; and, to know that our hard work is finally paying off. I don't even think flipping the rental, finishing the new house, and preparing for the wedding would have been possible had we kept our miserable jobs and stayed in the city that was strangling us. I keep thinking that my parents would be on the ledge, and we'd have pushed back the wedding date.

But, we're actually going to make this happen - it's gonna be like, "Bus driver, move that bus!"

I can't wait to share the "Keefer compound" with our guests; to experience the wedding at Sandy Pond that's always been somewhere in the back of my mind; to have our favorite people surrounding us; and, to make a memory that will, undoubtedly, let the negative overtones fade away and the happy, joyful, incredible results shine through...

We’re Late, We’re Late, For a Very Important Date

Ever since we moved back to Pittsburgh in April, it’s been go go go. Between the two of us, Matt and I have taken more than a half dozen trips to New York, to work on the rental house and to prepare for moving into the new house. We’ve sanded, stained and polyurethaned more furniture than I ever want to see again; landscaped hasta beds, planted mums, hung flower baskets, weeded, seeded, and mowed; made tables, saved doors, redone chairs, thrown out junk, and reclaimed treasures; and, slowly, but surely, watched both houses come together before our eyes.

(Check out the new Keefer house and garage: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150305174190251.563208.780990250&l=365087fc39; and, the rental house and new garage: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150613479985251.676425.780990250&l=060e617e6e)

The new house was supposed to be done in April…then May…then June…and, now, we are less than two weeks away from the big day, and still awaiting the completion of the new house and the garage. We are praying for rain every day to grow the new lawn; but will switch to praying for no rain, no humidity, and not too much heat on the wedding day. 

We’ve come home exhausted and sore, only to find ourselves faced with a wedding ‘to do’ list a mile long; regular jobs that demanded our attention; errands to run; and, money to spend. We are pros at packing and unpacking our toiletries. We do the same load of laundry every Sunday night. And nothing seems to keep us sane except our steady routine of reading before bed and coffee in the morning.

This reminds me of Keefer family renovations in Aspinwall, typically only weeks or even days before the annual Groundhog’s Party. Every project ended with my Dad screwing in the last lightbulb, tightening the last screw, or painting the last stroke just as the first guest walked in the house.

But all is not lost…

Our clothes are tailored, cleaned and pressed. Our rings are sized and engraved. Our shoes are broken in. Our accessories are accounted for and pre-packed in the ever-growing pile of stuff that shouldn’t be forgotten. The reception details are finalized. The centerpieces are made. The flowers are ordered. The cake tasting was delicious. The rentals and deliveries are confirmed. There are four bottles of booze and 18 bottles of wine waiting for us. The DJ has his mile-long list of “must play” songs and artists. Thank you gifts and notes are done. The ceremony is written. Our vows are down on paper. And, finally, there are very few things left on the ‘to do’ list.

In spite of the worrying, chest pains, overwhelming panic, tired nights, and early mornings, we still couldn’t be happier. Every day that goes by, we continue to affirm that we belong as a couple—that our future together is only beginning. We can’t wait to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of our labors. We expect the ceremony, reception and bonfire to be legendary memories regardless of any chaos that might ensue. 

The house might be late, but our wedding will be right on time…and just as planned.