the best RSVP

We received a negative RSVP yesterday from someone who was not invited to the wedding.

And it was the best RSVP ever.

Let me back up [quite] a bit: In the summer of 2008, I worked part-time as an editorial intern at this publishing house. I learned a lot that summer, namely, that I did not want to work as an editor. I like ending sentences with prepositions too much for that.

I wrote a lot about those experiences here on this blog, which was brand new that summer. I wrote about forgetting what time to show up on the first day and rearranging bookstore shelves to showcase our books and proofreading an omnibus and then the end of it all.

I also did a lot of reading that summer. One of my favorites that summer was the book Danny Gospel by David Athey. And then David Athey came to the office one day and I met him. It was a fascinating conversation, one I will never forget, and reminded me how spiritual an experience writing is for me and for others like me.

Back to yesterday: we received an RSVP from David Athey. A negative RSVP to the apple picking afternoon. In the comments he wrote the following, which has blessed me every time I read it:

Hey Maggie, In appreciation for the kind words you wrote about me on your blog, I would like to send you a copy of my new novel for a wedding gift. God bless you and Jon! Kind regards, David Athey

It was remarkable and exciting, and I'm really looking forward to reading (and reviewing!) his new novel.

keeping it light

If one thing has come to light in the process of planning this wedding, it's that I am NOT a details girl. Not even hardly. You want that place card? No problem. Invitations should include that information? You got it. I should be here, at that time, meeting with that person? Sure thing.

Mi madre, on the other hand, is Queen of All Details. This event is of utmost importance to her. And as we've previously established, I'm more excited to be married than to get married. Which is why mom is an invaluable member of this team. Definitely more useful than me. And I am so grateful for her efficiency, her attention to detail, her organization, and her savvy negotiating.

She's also really fun to mess with. ("with which to mess"?)

It all started with the wedding website. There's a place to suggest songs for the dance, and the very first suggestion we got was from "Audrey Thomas." She suggested the song C'est la vie by Bob Seger and commented, "It really gets me moving." Turns out, my dad was the mastermind behind that one and wrote my Mom's name on the suggestion. Classic dad move. Hilarious.

Ten days ago, I forwarded Mom a proof of our wedding invite, as designed by the one and only Sean Rubin (Jon's best man/best friend). The copy read like this:

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Thomas
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Communications Director at Rivendell Sanctuary
and member of the Screen Actors' Guild
Margaret Emma
to
Jonathan McCrary Keller
CEO of MNY Group, LLC
and son of Rev. Dr. & Mrs. John Keller

Ooh, we got her good. She shared it with my dad, too, and at first blush, they figured it was a joke. They let it soak in a minute and then, so they tell me, shared a horrified exchange that went something like: "They're joking, right?" "What if they're serious?" "No, it has to be a joke." "Wait, but what if it's not?"

Oh we're so bad. So mean. Of course it was a joke. We would never. But it was hilarious.

And then today happened. Sean got her again. He designed everything for our invitations, including the insert cards. He sent us a proof today for a new one that read:

Make the Celebrations Stop!
Feel free to nap on your bar stool,
delirious from exhaustion
Chili's Express
MSP Airport, 5pm Saturday
RAIN OR SHINE
Hosted by Jeff Richmond-Moll and Sean Rubin
First person to arrive please claim a table.

It was hilarious, and what I've come to learn is a classic Sean move. Jon forwarded it to Mom, and we got her again. She now says she can hardly wait to meet Sean, as he seems like quite the jokester.

Sean, this is why we love you.
And Mom, this is how we show you we love you. Thanks for being such a gracious good sport! ;)

on photo-swooning

How is it possible that when I look at a photo of my handsome fiance, I absolutely melt? It's sure to happen every time. He's so darn good looking! (And I'm so darn lucky!)

Tell me how I was supposed to withstand these photos, the first 5 of from our engagement session (because let me tell ya, I was a goofy-grin, giggly mess when I saw these):

Gosh, I just love him.

I can't look at these pictures and have any other reaction but "Oh man, I get to marry him."

123 more days.



Photo credit to Jameson Bast Photography. We loved working with Jameson & Kristen!

on making decisions

This whole wedding planning thing has taught me a couple things about myself and the way I make decisions:

1. I am indecisive (this I knew previously).
2. I try to please others (this I also knew).
3. I am dispassionate about a great many little things.
4. I do not fit the "typical bride" mold.

As it turns out, the little details don't captivate me. I don't really care about specific kinds of flowers, as long as they're fall colors. I don't really care what color shoes my bridesmaids wear, as long as they're comfortable. I don't get super specific with centerpieces, or bent out of shape about cake.

Can we all just acknowledge that October 14th will be an incredibly special day, not because of the details, but because of the occasion itself? Yes, there will be a few very unique touches to this wedding and reception, but what's more important is that everyone we love will be together and we will all be joyful.

I have a feeling that as we all keep our attention fixed on the joy of the day, the details will fall into place.

And it will be great.

It just may be exactly what we expect: the best day of our lives.

on Day 151

I'll whisper this very quietly so as not to disturb anyone:

Sometimes I forget my wedding is in 5 months.

Don't mistake me: I remember every single day that I'm marrying the love of my life. It's just that sometimes, when people ask me about wedding details, I stumble a bit and then my brain says, "Oh, that's right! You're having a wedding in October!"

And you know what? I think that's okay.

I think it's okay that I anticipate the day when I will just be married to Jon more than the day I actually get married to Jon. Does that make sense?

I have it on good authority (namely, the opinions of the godly women I'm surrounded by) that it is beneficial that my priorities have fallen in this order. It's when women spend too much time preparing for the wedding and not enough time preparing for the marriage that couples get into trouble, or so they tell me.

In the meantime, I'll keep looking to my sweet, strong mother to negotiate contracts and keep details in check and remind me of timelines. But I'll forgive myself for forgetting that my wedding is in 150 days because I am too caught up in the wonder of Days 151 and following.

I might need you, my dear friends, to give me a little extra grace, too, okay? Thanks a million.

royal wedding vs. mywedding.com

Type in the phrase "royal wedding" in Google. I dare you.

You'll get 45.9 million results, about 26,700 news articles, and the official Google result at the top: The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton / April 29, 2011 at 5:00am CT, plus a link to the official Royal Wedding website: http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/ (.org?! Really, Royal Family? Really?!)

And if you redirect your browser to mywedding.com and search for a couple (I'll give you a hint: type in "Maggie Thomas" or "Jon Keller." But don't type "Maggie Keller." Not yet.), you'll get a couple results, but there at the bottom, you'll find the listing: Maggie Thomas, Jon Keller, October 14, 2011 plus a link to the official Non-Royal Wedding Website: http://www.mywedding.com/jonandmaggiegetmarried

We're still adding to it and updating it. But there are some fun stories, photos, local attractions, events, and even a place for you to suggest reception music. Enjoy!

on feeling real

So much of the past week has been a blur: of activity, of celebration, of sharing our news. I remain thankful for our friends and loved ones who are a sure source of joy.

That floaty feeling, though? That stayed around a while. Even though this past week of work was busy, I was still mostly being carried around on a big cloud of happy. It didn't feel real - too fairytale, too perfect (is there such a thing?).

Without giving too much away, though, I went dress shopping yesterday with my mom and future mom-in-law. And boy, if it didn't feel real when I put on that first white dress and caught my reflection in all those mirrors. I felt, I think for the first time, like a woman shopping for her wedding dress instead of a little girl playing dress-up.

This is really happening. I'm getting married. I have a fiance, and he is a gift.

I am so blessed.