From every other Julia Roberts movie to weekly Oprah episodes, pre-marital jitters and left-at-the-altar plotlines are such a part of mainstream culture that I think people are having a hard time understanding why I am not nervous to get married. I'm excited as hell, in fact, and the only thing I'm nervous about involves our wedding cake, a broken box, a delivery van, and 10,000 banana peels.
That's not to say there aren't other things making me nervous - a wedding is a huge logistical undertaking, after all - but at this point what can I do about them? If we're short one plate of food or a random cousin decides to bring 10 of his closest friends or it pours rain all weekend, there really isn't anything I can do, can I?
I understand people's intentions when they ask if I'm nervous. Most just want to wish me congratulations and are simply seeking another way to keep the conversation going. That's fine, but one guy I met at the Edwards rally kept pushing the subject, wondering if I was going out for one more drunken night with the guys - no, the only guys around are my future brother-in-law and one-year-old nephew - or doing anything to blow off some steam before the big day. Any strip club trips planned for the next few days? No. Any plans at all with the fellas? When I said no, that I had had my bachelor party back in March and that I was ready for the big day, he said, "Well, that's too bad. Good luck to you." That the guy was volunteering his time to help out at the rally was the only reason I didn't think he was a complete jerk.
I did have a fun night last night, hanging with A (the future brother-in-law) at a Kerry event sponsored by Young Wisconsin Leaders. It's not every day that a week in Milwaukee gives me the chance to meet Tom Barrett, the current mayor of Milwaukee and chat up the former mayor of Milwaukee, Marvin Pratt at the bar over some microbrew, but that's what happened last night. Chris Heinz, son of Theresa and the featured speaker of the evening, offered me his congratulations and had nothing but kind words to say. Perhaps he's been too busy campaigning to see any Julia Roberts movies.
Posted by The Groom at August 24, 2004 06:24 PMhi! i'm the girl who is getting married the same day you are. here is a recent conversation with my dad:
DAD: Are you nervous?
ME: No, I'm not nervous, I'm CRAZY stressed out, but not nervous.
DAD: That seems about right.
Bravo to dad for NOT saying "It'll be fine." I HATE it when people say that. I'm stressed out, there's a lot to do and a lot that could go wrong. Being stressed is normal; nervous, I just don't understand.
Good Luck Doug, I can't wait to catch up in September.
Posted by: jamie at August 25, 2004 11:44 AMGood luck to you, Jamie!
Posted by: The Groom at August 25, 2004 12:29 PMI wasn't nervous either! My bridesmaids couldn't believe how calm I was while getting ready!
Of course, I needed to take a few deep breaths while waiting at the back of the church!
Congrats again!!! :)
Posted by: E from Michigan at August 25, 2004 02:13 PMI'm not nervous either!! of course, I'm the MOB, not the bride or groom. It's just about time for me to say, OK, we've done all we can do, maybe one more day though, after we get the boxes put together and distributed, and the names on the doors, and the food and candy delivered to wherever it needs to be and all of the other 22 things on todays list. I have absolutely no control over the weather, but I know that everything else is ready to go, and I plan to have a great weekend. This is our last daughter/child/wedding and I want to enjoy it with you and L,the FOB, and the M&FOG!
Here's to a Great WEEKEND!
MOB