Thoughtfulness.

Thoughtfulness for others, generosity, modesty, and self-respect are the qualities which make a real gentleman or lady. -Thomas H. Huxley

As the wedding quickly approaches (41 days!), I find it quite appropriate to write about thoughtfulness. Not just thoughtfulness for Jeff and I focusing on our upcoming nuptials, vows and commitment, but thoughtfulness on behalf of other people in our lives. Jeff and I are fortunate to have amazing, kind friends and family surrounding us leading to the most important event of our existence. People who selflessly give up part of their Saturday or Sunday, who write kind words in cards, who throw us wedding showers, who spend hours making something beautiful for our home, who offer advice to a long and happy marriage. It's hard to put into words how much it means to me when someone will give up their evening or afternoon to watch me rip into wrapping paper. (I've been on the other side watching the bride...it's ok...I know it's boring!) When I look back at the showers our friends and "families"* threw us, I get teary-eyed and completely enamored with how thoughtful these folks are. These families are who will lift us up when we have our struggles. They will remind us of the vows we took on our wedding day. They will also remind us how incredibly perfect we are for each other. They will watch us raise our own family. They will be our community, our sounding board, our hope. It's overwhelming the impact they will have on our marriage, and it's something Jeff and I can't live without.

*We have many families outside our biologicals. The OSU tailgate family, the Muskogee Golf family, the Eufaula Lake family, the best friend family, etc. These people have had influence on us beyond what we can even appreciate. We love our families with our whole hearts.

I'll be honest. When Jeff and I began the wedding planning last summer, we were almost completely set on having a teeny, tiny ceremony in my parent's backyard. We wanted a very intimate ceremony, and let's face it, I'm an emotional wreck, so I thought it best to limit the witnesses. Bridesmaids, groomsmen and immediate family only. This was the deal. We had it worked out. And then something happened. We began to make our list - "Well, we can't forget them, oh, or the so-and-so's...they have to be there!" and so on and so on. We started to realize all the impact our friends and family-friends had on us growing up. I'm not saying we just invited our whole dang hometowns, no...we invited the people we knew would support us and our vows. We invited those who have watched us grow into the adults we are, who have grown up with us and who will cheer us on with happy hearts. These families of ours mean more to me now than I've ever realized. It's funny how one little wedding can completely turn your heart into mush and overwhelming love. We are definitely feeling the warmth and we couldn't be happier!

This day will be the absolute pinnacle of my life, and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of all who have given me a hug, written me marriage advice, helped with wedding crafts, watched me try on dresses, listened to me talk about my dress, come to a shower, offered a kind word and offered to help. It shows your heart and that is something I will always, always remember you for.