Catch Me if You Can

 So when I was in the amazingly beautiful wedding last weekend, I had the privilege of holding on to my dear friends bouquet while she had her hair touched up between events. 

I looked at my other friend as I held it. 

"I'm sending it vibes," I told her. 

"I'm letting it get to know me. Because when she throws it at the reception, I am going to catch it."

I'm NEVER that girl. The one that dives for it, knocking all others out of her way. I usually stand aside, and let the other desperate crazy ladies go for it, 

while I roll my eyes. 

But let's face it, friends. 

At 32, and extremely single, 

I am turning both desperate and crazy.  

I'll do whatever it takes, at this point. 

And if that includes some shoves while participating in a silly tradition, with absolutely no merit as to the results of said catching, so be it. 

It was time.

However, at the reception I discovered that there was NOT going to be a bouquet toss!! 

My friend had never enjoyed them at other weddings, and at 33 she believed she did not have to subject the rest of her single friends to such a spectacle. 

I fully supported her decision...

However...

I was READY! 

So, what did I do?  

I had my own bouquet toss. 

I mean, there the bouquet was just sitting innocently on a table next to the guest book. It was calling my name. 

After all, we had gotten to know each other earlier in the afternoon. 

So, just so we are all clear- 

I DID catch the bouquet.  

This is my year. 

Always a Bridesmaid

Sometimes Clichés exist because they are true.

ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID, NEVER A BRIDE. 

I have been a part of many a wedding party. As a matter of fact, I was a part of one this past weekend. 

I would like to say, with no bit of sarcasm,  that each of these women are so incredibly important to me and I would not trade sharing these days with them for ANYTHING.

There have just been quite a few of them... 

Here, I will let you have a glimpse.

This was my entry into the world of Bridesmaid-ery. I was 11.

It was my sister, Juliet, getting married.

It was momentous in that it was the first time 

I ever had my eyebrows plucked. 

This was my sister Rachel. I was 15. 

I've always loved this picture because my arm looks really toned.

This was my first venture into the friend realm, with my dear Denise. 

I was 21. Her wedding was the first of my college friends. 

This was my BFF from High School, Jessica. 

I was 20 here as well. 

This was my cousin, Heather, 

whom I ADORE more than anything. 

This was momentous in the fact that after learning to pluck my eyebrows, I got a little out of control with the tweezer. 

I was 21. It was the day after we both graduated from BYU. 

This was for my lovely friend Terese. 

(Notice there are some repeated faces here... LOVE these girls)

I believe I am 21 here. 

This was at my brother's wedding. I wasn't a bridesmaid here, but the brides maids bought their dresses at the Gap, so THIS happened....

This is my sister Brenda.  I was 25.  This was the first time I had to walk down the isle. I had to read a poem during the ceremony, and was so nervous! And I learned that I was a wedding crier. Big time.

This is my sister, Sarabeth. 

I wasn't an official bridesmaid for her either, as she didn't have any. However, I was her "lady in waiting" of sorts, helping her prep before the big walk down the isle.

 So if anyone could have been counted as a bridesmaid that day, I think it was me. 

I was 27.

And last, but definitely not least,

 we have Kathy. 

Kathy's wedding reaffirmed to me that

 I am a wedding crier. Big time. 

I was just so incredibly happy for her!    

So there you have it. 

Cliché's become so for a reason.

Always a Bridesmaid.