Wedding Bells Blog
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Thanksgiving Comes Early
As I write my last post in the competition, I can’t quite believe it’s drawing to a close so quickly. It seems like just yesterday when, one rainy September afternoon, I found out I was a semi-finalist, and a few weeks later (thanks to your awesomeness), a finalist! My blogging journey has FLOWN by, and I’ve had a blast reading about the other ladies’ journeys, sharing nerdy DIY projects, dance experiments, scouting out winter armour outerwear and dumping eggs all over my head for the Internet’s viewing pleasure. It’s been AWESOME, and I have to thank everyone who’s shown their support with kind words, e-mails, and comments (even hopping over to my personal blog!).
In keeping with the theme of gratitude, I thought as I bid you all farewell, I’d take a moment to reflect on everything for which I’m thankful during our engagement. In wedding planning, there are naturally ups and downs, and it’s easy to panic when things don’t go quite according to plan. So with everything wedding-related, I’m trying to adopt the same attitude I do with life’s curveballs: take a moment to count the blessings, and it’s amazing how hiccups can quickly turn around.
Firstly, of course, I’m thankful for David. Last week was our two-year dating anniversary (or seven, depending on where you start), and this man has taken me from a girl pretty much crippled with anxiety to a place where I feel capable, more confident, and more focused on what’s really important in this world. Since we’ve been together, my eyes have been opened – I’ve learned to look past my self-doubts and focus on being a better person and making a contribution to this world, even if, initially, it was terrifying. He’s believed in me when I couldn’t do it for myself, stood by me through thick and thin, and taught me the true meaning of servanthood, of faith, and of true love. (I haven’t been mushy this whole time; I’m allowed a teensy bit of sap!)
Secondly, I’m thankful for the past. I briefly alluded to a couple of past relationships in an earlier post, but I’ve been through some tough times. It’s easy to become bitter or resentful toward people who’ve abused or mistreated us, but if it weren’t for the pain of those experiences, I never would have been pushed forward to learn, reflect, and grow, and prepare for the one relationship that’s going to be forever.
Thirdly, I’m thankful for family. My Dad is my best friend in the whole world, and he’s been wonderful in getting to know David and really welcoming him into the family, just as David’s family have been to me. During our first year together, David was away a lot for work, and his family often invited me to their house to spend time with them in his absence. I’m so thankful to be marrying into a family that’s been so supportive, so welcoming, and so kind to me, and I’m thrilled to be sharing the wedding day with his sisters by my side!
Fourth, I’m thankful for our situation. I really am. We’re not in a position where we make a lot of money, but that’s really allowed for us to focus on what’s really important. We’re both fortunate to work in positions where we can help people, and so what if we’re not able to spend $20,000 on decorations or go on a honeymoon? The celebration with the people we love and the commitment we’re making to each other are what matters most. Flowers, linens, and cake will come and go, but when you’re in a position where you have a little less, it really is a blessing to be able to focus on the things money can’t buy.
Lastly, I have to thank the Weddingbells staff for picking my little entry in the first place, and extend an even BIGGER thank you to you! I can’t believe that for the last nine months, people across the country (and continent!) have continually taken the time out of their lives to read my stories, offer support and ideas, and help me get this far. If I had a time machine (one day, Emily, one day), I guarantee I would be visiting each and every one of you with a bear hug and a basket of cookies. For now, this will have to suffice!
I wish all the brides-to-be the very best in their wedding plans, on their special days, as well as in their marriages. I hope you’ve enjoyed having me as much as I’ve enjoyed writing for you! All the best… next stop, voting!
Tags: advice, blogger search, family, friends, marriage, traditional
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64 Responses to “Thanksgiving Comes Early”
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Awww thank you guys, it definitely has been tonnes of fun, and I really appreciate you following the journey the whole time! <3 <3 Your support means the world. And I meant it about those cookies :)
Good luck, Em!!! Of course you know I will vote for you!! Eeeeeep, so exciting. I hope you win, what a fun little journey this must have been for you! <3
Agreed!!!! Just caught up on your last few posts Em and you are CLEARLY the most deserving winner! You’ve held the public’s interest since the competition started and if anyone else wins it’s rigged!!!!! Obviously TONNES more people have supported you the whole way through and with good reason!!! Vote Emily ppl she’s awesome!!! Love ya chicka!!
Emily your work in this contest is admirable. You entertained us throughout and made us laugh, smile, and taught us more about you as a couple, showed us what a nice person you are and an intelligent and well spoken writer too. You went out graciously and it makes me proud to know you. Hope you win girl you deserve it.
Thank you ALL!! I’m so glad you liked my entries… it was so much fun to share our journey (and nerd out a little) :)
Your comments and support have been so incredibly kind, and to everyone who started following my own blog as well, I wish I could thank you enough! It’s been a great journey and I’ve loved reading the other ladies’ stories as well as writing ours. You guys are seriously the best!!
Lovely last post, really enjoyed all your entries. You were the only lady that kept everyone entertained with wit and humor as well as shared insight into your wedding planning and into your life. Glad you have a real blog too so I can keep reading your stories. Like everyone said you have a great heart and you’r a great writer so you for sure should win this!
I admit that I am kind of sad that this contest is coming to a close as following a blogger-friend in here was a way for me to learn things I had absolutely no idea about until this contest. Of course I’ll vote, but the wedding itself… the wedding! is! next! oh! my! gawd!
I’m happy for you. Wishing you and David all the luck. Reading your posts make me want to find Mr. Right Guy right now. Like, really. Right. Now.
Congrats on your upcoming wedding.
Sending all of my best wishes and luck to you and David. You deserve this more than anyone, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. You are one of the sweetest and most compassionate individuals that I know, and I am so blessed to simply call you a friend.
Best,
Hannah Katy
Best of luck to you and David! I will be sure to vote as often as possible.
I love your spirit, your gratitude and your strength! I know that you’re day will be amazing no matter what! I will also pray for some unseasonably warm weather when the time comes…it’s been known to happen, even here.
Oh hurrah! It’s been lovely reading your blog posts as you gear up for your wedding, I think your attitude has been really brilliant. Much <3, hey. Luck with the voting!
SO excited for your big day!!! Congrats on the last post and good luck, love ya girl!
It’s been fun reading along with you on this journey towards the altar! I hope you win!
And PS – Happy Birthday Week. :)
What a beautiful post Emily!! I was at the same place where you were when I met my husband. Four years and a beautiful wedding later, I couldn’t be happier. Funny how life takes you through moments of pure sadness, only to give you eternal happiness when you least expect it. :)
Congrats on your upcoming wedding bella.. you deserve it!
Besos..
Veronica
Awww what a nice last post. Wish you all the best for the wedding and I hope the rest of the planning goes smoothly (and that you keep us updated over on your blog)! xoxo
Awwww thank you!! Sandy I’ll have to pop in sometime, I just did my first “author reading” at McNally Robinson last week as a proper writer… VERY scary lol but something I definitely want to continue!
Jessyca, we’ll have to stay in touch! I’m totally excited to see pics and hear about your wedding. Facebook?
Laura, Sam, Ashley, Faye & Britt and EVERYONE who’s commented throughout this competition, huge huge thanks for taking the time and for your kind words and support. It means more than I could ever do justice in this little text box :) Faye, voting starts July 6 I believe! <3
Emily, great article as per usual. It is definitely touching and very genuine. I also loved your pics. Hopefully you continue your writing, as you are so talented. Love Sandy
Hey Em,
Great last post!!!
I’ll miss your blog :(
You really wrapped it up in a nutshell!
Agreed dear you do have a beautiful heart and I wish you all the best in the rest of your plans and in your marriage. Loved reading all your posts (I’ll actually miss them!) & will continue checking out your blog. You’re a great writer and I hope you win!
We love you too! You have a beautiful heart and I’ll be sure to vote for you and David. You both are in my heart :) Yes, I can be sappy too!
You are a wonderful woman full of pizazz and warmth and you totally deserve this!!!! I’ll set a reminder to vote but omgoooooooodness you need to remind us on your blog when its July 6th lol – xoxox
great post to end on em so glad you got picked for this competition so ppl could see the gracious, fun, kind person you really are. have loved all your blogs & will be getting my voting finger ready! when can we start??? xxxx
This was the perfect last post; in every situation, even the most hectic, there is so much to be thankful for! I wish the best of luck to you and David in the outcome of this competition! You deserve to win, so you know I’ll be lending my support and voting for you every day! :)
AWWWWWWWW you all make me want to cry!! In a good way :) Thank you for being so kind with your words and for faithfully stopping by every 2 weeks for 6 MONTHS to leave me a little comment… it’s continually brought a smile to my face and I hope you know how much I appreciate it. I really enjoyed writing for you and hearing all the ideas and feedback :) One last plea for votes next month and I’ll be done, haha! Thank you all SO much xoxo
It’s sad that this is the last post, but in keeping with your theme, I’m thankful that you’ve kept an old brit in your life and allowed him to keep track of how things are going with what is going to be one of the most wonderful weddings in history. I hope you keep me updated on how plans are going, etc.
All the best to you and to David.
Much love and sending many nice wishes across the pond to you.
Kier.
i’m kinda sad that this is the last post. i loved catching up on all the ups and downs of your planning. you and david are so lucky to have found each other (again lol) :D i hope your big day is as awesome as you’ve described (and then some)
YAY! Congrats Em, it’s been so much fun reading about everything. :) xx
Congratulations on making it through :)
Rock it girl, your spirit and stories have been fantastic. Can’t wait to celebrate with you in… T-5.5 months? xoxo
You are so adorable it’s painful. Loved going on this journey with you!!!
What a great post!
I think it is so important to be thankful for the amazing things we have in our lives – not that life isn’t hard or we won’t run into problems – but we still have to be thankful for what we do have. (I’m just a little bit of an optimist though…) It has been so fun to follow you as you plan for your wedding. You truly will have a great day no matter what and, like you said, it’s more important that you are celebrating each other and being together but it won’t matter all that much what you wore or what your centerpiece is. :) Good luck!!!!
What a joy to read such lovely stories. You are a fabulous couple and I pray for nothing but the best for both you and David. Good Luck with every thing! God Bless!
‘so what if we’re not able to spend $20,000 on decorations or go on a honeymoon? The celebration with the people we love and the commitment we’re making to each other are what matters most. Flowers, linens, and cake will come and go, but when you’re in a position where you have a little less, it really is a blessing to be able to focus on the things money can’t buy.’
This was by far my favorite part. So glad you made it into the final and its refreshing to have a bride so down to earth and focussed on what really does matter instead of the decorations or big dress or big bridal party or anything. I hope you win the trip because clearly you are the most deserving!
I’m pretty sure that first picture (and dress!) is my favorite; please tell me you have that framed somewhere and in your house!?
Aww, your posts make me feel so warm and lovely inside. I’m so happy for you
Bless you dear you made me tear up! Lovely post best of luck
I second everything you’ve said, my sweetheart. We truly are blessed for having our families by our sides no matter what , and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather marry and spend the rest of my life with!
I can’t believe it’s gone so fast- this is a great note to end on, and good luck in the voting!
You couldn’t have wrapped up this competition better. You are a very deserving and gracious winner and I wish you all the best. Many brides to be could learn a lot from your spirit of thankfulness, light heartedness, and making the most of difficult situations. Wishing you many blessings in your marriage and thank you for your thoroughly fantastic posts.
Lovely post to end a wonderful journey. Both hubby and I have adored all your posts and wish you the best of luck. That pic of you two with the balloons is beautiful and the one of you and your dad is just precious! Good luck!
Wooo Em!!! Your posts have been gracious and entertaining and I’ve loved getting to know you through them (and adding a new blog to my reader!). Very deserving winner right here… you got my vote! Best of luck!
I’m waiting for those cookies…. ;)
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you through all of your posts and look forward to reading all about the wedding itself. It’s going to be one beautiful event…
All the best…
Loved your posts, and loved getting to know you more through them & your blog. Hugs Emily – and good luck !!! x
Hey lovely thank you for sharing with us :)
It has been fun following your blog during your engagement and I wish you and David all the best in your future. Good luck with winning the contest Emily.
What a crazy “ride” hey? I wish you all the best in your winter wedding and a long and happy marriage.
em I can’t believe it’s your last post!!! you’re right it has gone by quickly can’t believe it’s been 6 months. let me just take this opportunity to congratulate you and david again and say how entertaining your posts have always been, they’ve all been the perfect mix of insight, fun, information and personality and i love that you’ve made us all laugh, taught us new things, tried new experiments and given us an insight into your journey. the public has spoken and you are such a deserving winner, you get more interest in your posts than anyone and you are a fab writer!!!! GOOD LUCK!!! vote emily people!!!!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog, and am a little miffed that I didn’t think of doing something similar (even on Facebook!) so I can look back over it in years to come and laugh at how much stress and planning goes into a wedding! Lol. I’ve been reading over some of the old posts again today, and I still can’t believe you have a Dalek wedding couple on the cake.. Love it!
Best of luck on the big day Emily, I’m sure it will go without a hitch! Can’t wait to compare pictures too xxxxx
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