counting down the days

We're but a blink away from our wedding day on May 22nd, and I wish I could bottle up these days and keep them forever. 

I leave for Montréal next week, and I am overcome with joy and excitement and overwhelm at the thought. These days are busy with last minute planning, appointments booked, thank you notes penned. Every day, a package arrives with words of love and a registry gift from a loved one. We feel so supported - and spoiled! - by our people. They have been celebrating us lavishly despite these odd circumstances we find ourselves in. Many won't be with us in person on our wedding day, but we have not doubted for a mere second that they are with us in spirit. Their kindness, love and generosity is an obvious testament to this. 

Last Saturday, Paul's parents and honorary aunt and uncle threw a lovely drive-by wedding shower for us. The evening was a flurry of celebration, complete with posies of hydrangea and delphinium, hearty doses of laughter, cake pops, handcrafted earring favors, and a succession of vehicles with good wishes to share. Our gracious hosts poured themselves into planning the sweetest of events - and guests were unspeakably generous, contributing elaborately to the making of our first home together. 

Just a few weeks earlier, when I was in Montréal, my sister and mom hosted a marvelous celebration as well. I was showered with so much love during this Zoom bridal shower which gathered many of the dearest women of my life. The event assembled loved ones from Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Gatineau, England, France, Washington and Connecticut - many of whom won't be in the church pews on May 22nd but whose excitement about our forthcoming nuptials feels nearly as tangible. We laughed, played games and teared up a little too - and they bestowed sweet words of wisdom for me as I approach marriage. To celebrate with my Nana, aunts, cousins and sisters (both current, and soon-to-be!), mentors and family friends over a screen was not what I ever anticipated for my bridal shower, but their presence and enthusiasm meant the world to me in what has been a very trying wedding planning process. One of the many things this engagement season has highlighted is just that: to be supported is an inestimable gift when you walk in the unknown. 

Both these showers were such a sweet way to kick off our wedding festivities. We feel so known, so treasured, as May 22nd inches closer and closer.  

Although wedding planning has been heartache after heartache as we slowly let go of our plans and dream scenarios, the pieces of our life as newlyweds are slowly coming together. We are ecstatic. Paul began a new job last week and he loves it - I am so proud of him, his diligence and his resolve. I have no doubt he will do well in this employment. I am started a new job myself when we get back from our honeymoon, for which I am so grateful and excited. 

Too, I have moved into the apartment that will be our first home together as Mr & Mrs, and am anxiously waiting for him to join me when we are back from our honeymoon (!!!). Our little apartment is ever so slowly taking shape, and is becoming our own. Getting the keys, exactly a month away from our wedding day, was such a surreal experience. When we walked in, light seeped onto old floorboards and birds chirped from the tree at the window, and we were positively charmed.  

We’re dreaming up the life that will fill up its walls, unpacking boxes and organizing cupboards, made an Ikea run and are ever scanning Marketplace for pieces. We are awed by how blessed we are to call it ours! Elise and Josiah ever so sweetly spent move-in day carrying boxes & furniture, Jon and Nathan moved in our couch whilst volleying the classic "pivot!" reference as they climbed three flights of stairs... and we feel so beloved by our people. 

I am so grateful for this season, and having Paul right by my side. I am especially in praise of his steadfastness and his faith. Whereas I get so overcome with stress and worry in view of the circumstances surrounding our wedding and so many imminent transitions, he remains at peace and in calm. I call myself blessed to be his wife in but a couple short weeks. 

So while this month is a far cry from what one could ever have imagined, details are falling into place. And no matter the sudden swerves and the manifold disappointments of our upcoming wedding, I am consistently reminded of the silver lining in this whole process: him! 

To think that when we fly home from Montreal, we'll be married... I can't wait. 

The countdown begins!