A MOMENT WITH MISSY…….
Missy is our “Guest Writer” for our monthly newsletter, and here she writes about the impact of friendship during special moments in her life:

“As a girls’ girl, one of the most precious gifts in my life are my girlfriends.  These incredible women have held my hand through the best and worst life has had to offer and I couldn’t imagine celebrating anything without having them by my side.

It was their numbers which made up the short list of the many dialed when my boyfriend of almost five (yes ladies, I said FIVE) years finally decided he WAS marriage material after all.  After a wonderful dinner and quiet evening together, he finally popped the question!  Picture if you will, me, a woman of her *uh hmm* mid-thirties, finally hearing those four little words all women dream of hearing their entire lives….”Will you marry me?”  To say I made a scene would be a clear understatement.  Imagine a mature woman, such as myself, screeching and running around the house, stopping only long enough to do a victory dance that even Ocho Cinco couldn’t replicate in ANY end zone.  Dancing with the Stars, hah!  Try Dancing with a New Bride! After kissing my new fiance, catching my breath, and toweling off, I reached for my cell and started the exciting task of spreading my good news.  As we all know a girl’s girl doesn’t gossip, they simply spread the news!

It was these wonderful women; my soul sisters, my girl’s girls, that celebrated, with me, the biggest event in my life.  I was given not one, but two fabulous showers filled with delicious food and cocktails, generous gifts, embarrassing yet hilarious stories, big hugs, and warm, heartfelt wishes for a long, healthy, beautiful life with my new partner.  My hope is that all women have their own girls’ girls to share in their life moments.”

We’ve been hearing from so many brides and brides-to-be who have shared their stories of proposals and engagements with us.  Here is a recent story from Katey, who believes timing really does matter!

Katey writes:
“Steve and I met when he was hired where I work, and one of the first interactions I had with him made me laugh (definitely a good omen, right?).  A group was out for happy hour and when I returned from a visit to the ladies’, there he sat, in my seat with his hand on my beer.  He acted as if nothing was amiss until a couple of co-workers couldn’t keep a straight face anymore and cracked up.  I thought he was awfully cute, what with his “Who, me?’ face and all.
Over the next few years, we continued to work at the same place, though not very closely.  At various social outings related to work, we’d run into each other, but we were both “otherwise engaged” in other romantic entanglements and that was that.  However, a couple years ago we were at a work party and he came over and casually put his arm around me.  The extent to which my heart leapt a little took me by surprise!  After the party, he asked if I wanted to go for a drink somewhere, but I honestly didn’t think anything of it and told him I was going home to go to bed.  (I found out later he felt a little shot down…or a lot shot down.) However, as the ensuing weeks went by, I found myself interacting with him more and more at work.  The day after our work holiday party, where we had spent quite a lot of time together, he suggested that we get together during our vacation.  I gave him my number, he called, and we had our first date.  That was over two years ago, and this past October, he asked me to marry him.
Sometimes we talk about how “we” came to be.  It really is true—timing is everything, and the Universe works on a clock that might be different from ours.  If you don’t believe me, I’ve got a wedding for you to attend in July…

I recently opened an e-mail from my husband where the subject line read “eavesdropping.”  Naturally, my first instinct was of mixture of embarrassment and shock!  How did he know that I had overheard his conversation with his controlling mother or learned of his big plans for a sailing trip with his buddies?  Had I leaked a clue?  I thought I had been so discreet.  With hesitation, I clicked opened the e-mail and was relieved to find this video. For anyone who has ever eavesdropped, we deserve this. Hilarious!!

Eavesdropping

I’m a girl who lives for March Madness!  I’ll be cheering for the Ohio State Buckeyes and, if they lose, the Kentucky Wildcats have my vote.  It will be a battle to the end. As crazy as it may seem,  I’m ready for points in the paint,technical fouls, slam dunks, and Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of “One Shining Moment.”  In fact, I’m already shouting the lyrics while practicing my free throws.

I’m not sure when I became so obsessed with this tournament but it’s a real sickness. I can’t wait until it starts and I’m a bit depressed when it’s over.   Peculiar? Probably. But, I find such excitement in witnessing a #12 seed upset a #5 seed.  And, there’s nothing like a basket at the buzzer to send a game to OVERTIME.

Perhaps this “March Madness” disease runs in my family because my sister is as crazy as me. In fact, there’s evidence  that she may believe she’s part of Kentucky’s coaching staff. Not only does she know every player’s resume, history, and season statistics, but she also shouts plays at the television and, every now and again, calls for a time-out.  At times, I wish I had a whistle because she should have been ejected.  Her dedication to the game far exceeds mine. She was actually quite appalled when she learned that I only knew a few facts about my second-seeded Buckeyes. I suppose she expected more from her fellow March Madness junkie.

Like many things, March Madness is not for everyone. I just happen to be a girl who loves sports, watching and playing, and truly appreciates the the “big dance.” One shining moment becomes a few weeks of excitement for this dribblin’, take-it-to the hoop, Buckeye-loving girl.