Days and weeks before the main event

I fought hard not to have a bridal shower or bachelorette party, but my friends found ways to spoil me rotten nonetheless.

I'm grateful for such outstanding women in my life. Girls who respect that I sometimes march to a different beat. Maybe I don't want to do everything by the book—or maybe it's that I want to do things by my own book. Just slightly different, just enough to annoy or cause a few eye rolls. You know what I'm saying? I just can't help it. I have two older sisters and a one-in-a-million mom. I want to be like each of them, independently, and then I want to be my own person, too. I digress…

Not only did I feel showered with love at the Albany "gathering," the cooking class with Allison (who, coincidentally is being induced with her baby girl tonight—prayers for the Vidourek family), and the trip to see my sisters in LA and San Diego, but I was lucky enough to share some special memories with friends during my last few weeks as a single gal. 

Among many other celebrations…my high school besties planned a day o' fun brunching, baking, and crafting—all in preparation for the wedding reception (more on that later). My running inspiration, Erin, prepared a delicious banquet of brunch and snack fare for us to feast on while watching Bridesmaids the week before my wedding. My co-workers pulled off an outrageously thoughtful and sincere "off-site meeting" surprise breakfast shower. And, my friend Leslee organized a special tae bo class for my sisters, workout buddies, and me to enjoy on the day of the wedding. Yes, I got up at 5 for workout class on my wedding day. It was the perfect de-stressor.

Starting the day off right with mims.

Brunch and Mexican theme...with a "test" cake by Katie.

Check out this test cake, perfect rendition of hobnail milkglass by the one and only Katie Elaine.

Cake Brigade mem-orrr-eeeees.

Barking orders at Kell...making escort cards.

How I miss our baking and cooking extravaganzas at the Moon Tower!

Love the bubbles in a can! With a straw!

Not only did these gals whip out some serious baked goods on this sweet Saturday, but each of them made several other 

On to the work "shower," where my co-workers loved embarrassing me with the toilet paper wedding gown game. Seriously, I could not have been more surprised by this gesture. I honestly was so wrapped up in a freelance job and the craziness of checking lists, etc., for the wedding, that it didn't even dawn on me that my co-workers might want to celebrate, too. They even set up a fake calendar invite and told me we were following up on a "what's your work style" off-site meeting from a couple weeks prior. My work bestie, Yvonne, really helped pull off this number by telling me how much she was dreading this meeting...how much she didn't want to go. How she kept a straight face, I'll never know!

One of my co-workers wrapped the lovely gifts (a very nice pajama set and some RL cocktail glasses) in my wedding colors, and the gals specifically planned a breakfast since they knew my affinity. Everyone brought a dish to share, or pretty bouquets of flowers, or champagne (naturally!). I was so touched. Beyond touched. I was just honored. It was a very special day for me.

Thanks again to my dear friends from near and far. From the month-to-month "countdown till the wedding" texts to the phone calls and chats (or should I say "listening sessions"), the cards, and countless offers to help with any- and everything. Everyone was so kind and generous. I'm really fortunate...to say the very least. 

Handbag love from Friday Harbor to Portland, Oregon

I alluded to in a previous post...and again teased with some photos that my friend Kelley and I had a seriously serendipitous Christmas.

This story dates back to August 14, 2011, the day after our dear friend Katie's dream wedding. Kelley and I were in Friday Harbor, on the San Juan Islands, waiting for the ferry to take us back to Anacortes so we could start our trek back to Portland.

We made our way through many shops, spending a considerable amount of time (and money) in the used book store, and window shopping at many of the cute boutiques. At one of those shops in particular, Kell and I were drawn to some fantastic bags, both clutches and satchels. In true fashion, we chatted up the sweet employee about these great handbags. She just gushed over the woman who hand-crafted each and every one of the bags, and although neither of us could afford one at the time, we took Winnie's business cards and tucked them away in our respective wallets.

At the time, I wasn't working, but I told myself I was going to surprise Kell one day when I could afford to buy her a one-of-a-kind clutch. You see, Kelley's always been the world's best gift-giver. Even when she lived halfway across the globe, she still managed to send thoughtful presents at the most perfect times. I've never felt like I've been able to reciprocate the feeling I encountered when opening a package from Kell.

Fast-forward to this past Christmas. My girlfriends and I had our annual gift exchange, and I drew Kelley's name. I was just thrilled. I remembered my plot to email the designer of the bags and ask her to create one for Kelley. I scoured my room for nearly two hours trying to find the designer's business card. I couldn't remember the brand of the bags nor the name of the boutique we found them. Finally, I found the card, emailed the designer, and got the ball rolling. Winnie proved to be as charming and kind as the store clerk described her. She was willing to work with my budget, and she sent me options for the clutch she was whipping up for Kelley. I was proud of myself for accomplishing all of this weeks before Christmas. That's a feat Kell's not quite familiar with. She tends to be a little last-minute when it comes to the annual gift exchange, and she didn't send her Secret Santa a gift until a couple months past Christmas last year.

When we got together to swap gifts, even Skyping in our long-distance friend who couldn't be there, I knew Kelley must have drawn me once we were the last two standing. She opened my card first, and once she read the first couple of lines, she almost shockingly turned to me and said, "NO WAY!" You see, Kelley, being the most thoughtful girl alive, had kept Winnie's business card for a special occasion such as this. She, too, had been in communication with Winnie. She even Skyped with Winnie to pick the fabric of my bag. Kelley also had a clutch hand-made for me. Can you believe it?

I thought it was the most special sequence of events only two old friends could have shared. I immediately contacted Winnie because I just couldn't believe this happened. The details of our stories varied, so Winnie didn't exactly know she was making bags for two best friends, but once I told her, she said it made perfect sense. I think it's crazy, in a magical sort of way.

We love our Momentum Handbags, and we love each other. We've been friends since the third grade, and it just goes to show the magic that accompanies true friendship.      

What were we thinking?

I still need to share the story of the magical handbags...and I will...but not tonight! The following photos add to the story. I'll let you enjoy these right now! 

Freshman year of high school, circa 1999. This was Halloween. Hence, I am wearing who knows whose blonde wig (still hadn't discovered makeup???), Kell's wearing a yellow furry bathrobe, Katie's too cool for a costume, and Matea's donning a boa on her head. I'd like to note I've owned that blue and white gingham shirt two separate times in my life. Kell and I had been friends since third grade, and this was just a month after meeting Matea and Katie. Pretty sure Mariel was there, too. Probably took this photo.  

Takin' it to the Max one summer night in 2006? I think we'd all just turned 21, right? Beavers baseball game and the Marathon Taverna? Apparently the open-mouth look was my pose du jour decade!

Ahhh...such a classic. Katie's magical wedding on San Juan Island. Twelve solid years of friendship and counting. 

The year of the wedding: San Juan Island edition

Words cannot express what a magical weekend we encountered in the San Juans for Katie and Greg's nuptials. I'll let some photos do the talking, but even then...not enough.

Katie and I met in math class our freshman year of high school. I will never forget thinking her Abercrombie clothes and Doc Marten boots were so cool. She was super quite, but I knew she seemed like my type of girl. I think I introduced myself and asked if she wanted to sit by my bestie Kelley and me at lunch. I am scratching my head wondering if this is the correct chronology...but I'm going to roll with it even if it's not. Soon after, we teamed up with middle school friends Mariel and Matea, and the five of us became inseparable...that is, until I transferred high schools after our first year.

I may have missed out on a few in-house memories, but these four friends have been a phenomenal support group for the last twelve years. Holy cow. Twelve years. We have been through more than so much together. There's been college visits, mending broken hearts, trips to Germany, vacations to Texas, cheering on our girl Mariel in two Olympic games, toasting to Matea--the first to get married, celebrating the return of Kelley from her overseas adventures, and how can I forget to mention the formation of the Cake Brigade?

Katie's two older sisters and the four of us friends stood beside her as she married her best friend in one of the most beautiful settings God's created. Mariel, Kelley, and I made nine cakes for the reception. I was a nervous wreck for the two weeks leading up to the wedding because I was so worried about these cakes. We froze them, packed them, put them on a ferry...so much could have gone wrong, but it didn't. They turned out perfectly, just as every other piece of the Hedrick wedding weekend did.

The night before the wedding, Greg's parents hosted an authentic crab feed at Snug Harbor. I'm licking my lips just thinking about it. I know I could ramble on and on about this wedding, especially because it could have been--and should have been--the featured wedding in an issue of  Martha Stewart Living. It was breath-taking.  

Katie and Greg have been together almost eight years, and their bond of friendship and love is unmatched. Cheers to the Hedricks on their new adventure! I love you two!

JUST A SNEAK PEEK of some of the >250 pics I snapped...my computer is not cooperating, and I am running out the door. More (and captions) to come!

The view from our little cabin in Snug Harbor, nestled between Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor.

The above-mentioned cabin.

Mariel and Mike on the sweetest swing I've seen. Cup holders and all!

Let the defrosting begin!

The Cake Brigade!

Wedding headquarters.

An artichoke plant. Seriously!

Jumping for joy in our aprons...don't ask!

Hey Kell...is that a fascinator or Katie's rehearsal bouquet? Looks like you're not sure either.

Despite all her efforts to pass off responsibility claiming incapability, Kell mastered her first official frosts.

Making bouquets in the basement.

And centerpieces...

Speaking of centerpieces, check out these from the rehearsal dinner. Love the newspaper tablecloths.

Matea's favorite campfire band.

Everybody's new best friend, Duane, introducing me to grilled oysters on crackers. Not too shabby!

Fresh crab and tri-tip. I. Was. In. Heaven. Mmm.

Rocket, Matea, and the bride!

Prepping. It's nice to have a hair stylist in the group. 

Reading cards from the bride right before the ceremony. So thoughtful.

Rocket in his tux. Too cute for words. He was so good the entire ceremony.

The bride and me. Have I mentioned she and her mother MADE her wedding gown? Cuh-ray-zee!

Nerves kicking in?

Cute.

I can't speak for Mariel and Kell, but I took a TON of photos of the cakes. I am so proud of us for pulling it all together. This was definitely the Cake Brigade's finest hour.

We're just missing the bride. Friends for life.

Mariel and Mike. Cute couple alert! 

Getting ready for her MOH speech. She killed it!

Katie did a wonderful job addressing the crowd. So out of character for our humble friend.

Tres leches in your face!

Don't worry...we tried every single flavor of those cakes. Yum!

Decorating the get-away truck! 8-13-11: Never forget, OK?

I'm Yours!

Great idea--mother-son and father-daughter duo dance.