Sometimes happiness doesn’t come from money or fame or power. Sometimes happiness comes from good friends and family and the quiet nobility of leading a good life. -Peyton, One Tree Hill

Friday night Match and I made the trip to the North Bay for Monica’s Welcome Home Party. She’s home from Scotland on winter break and I couldn’t wait to see her. Of course Chandler being a die hard Giants fan told everyone it was half Monica’s party and half the World Series celebration. He made everyone dress in Giants gear and we played Giants themed drinking games.

While we were getting ready Match got all worried that his kershaw scallion knife he keeps in his pocket would be considered a concealed weapon, yet he insisted on carrying it for protection. I rolled my eyes and laughed at him. He’s gotten so paranoid since starting academy. Not that I blame him because he hears all kinds of bad stuff, but still. I just bit my tongue because I know I have to get used to him carrying weapons. As he put it, “if someone ever tries to attack us you’ll thank me for carrying my knife.” which is true, and let’s just hope he never has to prove it.

Anyways, back to the fun stuff. We got to the party and I was immediately assaulted by the girls. I hadn’t seen Tahoe Girl or Monica since my wedding and it was so nice to see them again.
We played some King’s Cup and had a few laughs. I’d made a video slideshow for our group’s Christmas present and after the first round of games we all watched it. It was full of funny video clips from past parties and equally funny pictures. Chandler’s mom was there and she came up to me after the viewing and said, “I just loved this video. You can really see how you guys are all such a family.” I love that! It’s true, we really do feel like family. No matter how much time passes since we last hung out, we are all so comfortable together and it feels like coming home to family. Token Gay Guys said I should make a new video every year for the group and I happily agreed. I’m so glad it was a hit!

After the video the girls took pictures because that’s what we do best.

Tomboy, Monica, Lil Sis, Me and Tahoe Girl

I have no idea what we’re doing. I think we’re supposed to be reindeer?

Charlie’s Angels-because we’re dorks.

It was a great night and I can’t wait for next week and Tahoe Girl’s birthday in the city!

Mark: Let me guess, you and Meredith are back together and you’ve been up all night doing the horizontal salsa.
Derek: Mambo. Horizontal mambo. Meredith and I, we’re just friends.
Mark: Sexy friends. -Grey’s Anatomy

Match and I have this running joke that he has a tendency to stick his foot in his mouth at times. He doesn’t mean to; but sometimes he just says things that come out all wrong. Usually they cause laughter, but sometimes they can cause little arguments. Luckily Match and I can both laugh about his awkwardness.

The day after Thanksgiving, Match and I met up with Chandler and his older brother for a couple of drinks and a few games of shuffle board. Match and Chandler’s brother were at one end, with Chandler and me at the other. While we were playing, a fairly drunk girl came up to Match and started talking to him about the game.
It was pretty obvious to me and Chandler that this girl was hitting on Match. Academy has done wonders for Match’s already toned physique and I don’t think he realizes just how hot he looks. Well this girl noticed. At first it was funny because she was sort of stumbling around and blocking our play. After a few minutes of Match talking to her, it started to get annoying. I looked at Chandler and he just shrugged.

I knew Match wasn’t flirting, but he wasn’t giving her the go away signals either. I decided to blow him a kiss in hopes of helping him get an out from this girl. Unfortunately he didn’t see the kiss, but she did. She turns to him and says, “Oh, do you know each other?” And he says, “Yeah, we’re all friends here.”
Not, that’s my wife and these are my friends. Just, “We’re all friends here.” That’s the point where Chandler goes, “Oh MAN! You are an ASS!” and starts busting up. Match looks all innocent and says, “what what did I do?” The drunken girl stumbled away and Match came over for a hug when he saw my eyes shooting him daggers. Chandler just shook his head and laughed. When Match tried to kiss me I said, “Oh no, I thought we were all friends here!” Comprehension finally dawned on Match on how that must have looked and sounded and he gave a sheepish grin and said, “I wasn’t even thinking about that, I was just trying to play shuffle board. I didn’t know she was hitting on me.”

He’s lucky I wasn’t in a more fiesty mood. He may have been on his way towards social security disability otherwise. Instead I just laughed and shook my head. “Babe you really are dense when it comes to women aren’t you? That girl was totally hitting on you. And for the record, always, always claim your wife.” Then I punched his arm and said, “Got it friend?”

We’ve gotten to the point where we call each other friend around the house now. We retold the story to Match’s parents when we got back from the bar that night. Match’s dad laughed and said, “Oh you really messed up! It’s a good thing there are already twin beds in the guest room or you’d be on the couch!”

Four years ago, I was just a guy who had a crush on a girl who had a boyfriend. And I had to do the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, which was to wait. And don’t get me wrong, I flirted with her…I just had little moments with a girl who saw me as a friend. And a lot of people told me I was crazy to wait this long for a date with a girl who I worked with, but I think that even then I knew that I was waiting for my wife.-Jim, The Office

Let me start by saying, wow! I’m overwhelmed by your comments. I’m so happy to be able to share the most important day of my life with you all. You guys have been a part of it from the beginning! Second, this is perhaps the longest post I’ve written yet, and I apologize. There were just so many amazing moments that I had to share with you!

Now that we’re past the tearfest, it’s time for the PARTY! Ok, I won’t lie, there are still some tear jerker moments. Like when Match’s Mom and my Mom gave their toasts. Then the first dance, and the father/daughter dance. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Let’s start with our grand entrance back to at the reception room. We were at the golf course for the ceremony and they had a golf cart ready for us to drive back up to the reception. Typically the groom drives the cart. But you all know I’m not your typical girl. So of course I drove it.

The reception room has a deck so all of our guests were leaning over the railing cheering us on as we drove up.  Then the DJ had everyone go inside the reception room and wait for our grand entrance.

We walked in to the song, “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” by Dean Martin.

I wish I could remember what Match whispered to me that I found so funny.

I was so overwhelmed by the amount of love that just emanated from the room. I just kept saying, “Oh wow, oh how beautiful!” I can’t even describe what an amazing feeling it is to be surrounded by all of your loved ones in the same room, all standing and clapping for you. It was truly incredible.

I was so touched that so many of my friends and family took off time from their jobs to make it to the wedding. There were hugs all around as we finally got to see all of our loved ones. Right after that our coordinator ushered us over to the buffet table for food. I loved our day of coordinator. She came with the venue and she did such a great job of keeping the day flowing. She made sure we ate too! We are one of the rare and lucky couples that actually got to eat on our wedding day. Match even got seconds!

I know it doesn’t look that appetizing in the picture but I swear it was so good. I wish I’d had a better appetite. I was just too excited to eat. Plus my friend who warned us about the sweetheart’s table was right-everyone stares at you while you eat!

Then it was time for the toasts. My mom was the first to make her speech, and I was blown away with how calm and collected she was. I told her afterwards she should speak in public more often! She talked about the first time I brought Match home to meet my parents. She said watching us cook in the kitchen together, she knew he was the one for me. Cooking and eating are a big deal in my family and the way we worked so effortlessly together, she knew we were made for each other.

MIL was next to give her toast. It started off shaky, because she definitely doesn’t like to speak in front of people or be the center of attention. She started by talking about how when you have a child you want the very best for them. You want to make sure that as they mature they make the right choices. She said that she has no doubt that Match made the right choice, and will continue to make the right choices because he has me by his side.

I was trying to keep it together in this picture. I started bawling when she finished with that line. We hugged and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Match got up, a little begrudgingly, because like his mom, he hates being the center of attention. I think he did a great job. He thanked everyone for being a part of our special day. He said he couldn’t be happier and that he was absolutely the luckiest man in the world.

After the toasts it was time for our first dance. It was sweet, but I have to admit, I wish we’d picked a faster song. I love our song, Then by Brad Paisley, but it felt like it went on for a long time. I think that was just because everyone was starring at us and I’m a terrible slow dancer. I kept laughing and saying I was going to step on his shoes. He kept saying, “I lead, not you!” Hehehe.

The second dance was the father/daughter dance with my Pops. I couldn’t help it-I bawled like a baby. We chose the song, “You’re Gonna Miss This” by Trace Atkins.

After a few minutes, Match and his mom joined us on the dance floor, along with his Sis Travel Girl and her dad, and my Mom and my brother. By then I think a lot of our guests were crying along with us.

Then it was time to celebrate! Everyone wiped their eyes and got down to boogie on the dance floor.

Everyone mingled and danced and it felt like the two families and all the groups of friends had known each other for years.

Birthday Twin made it along with his long time girlfriend. They seemed to enjoy themselves, though frankly I didn’t spend much time with them. BT and I have grown so distant over the last two years. Still it was nice that he was there and they had a good time.

Best Friend was there-he made the trip all the way from San Diego. I was thrilled he could be there. After our years of friendship and our crazy, messy history it’s so nice to still call him my friend. He gave me a big hug and said, “You got your M.R.S!” He used to tease me in college that I was going to school for my M.R.S. He said he was so glad I found such a good guy and that I truly deserved to be this happy.

We had a fun moment on the deck where Best Friend, Brazil’s Hubby, The Enabler, and Old Married Hubby convinced me to smoke a cigar.

Before I knew it, it was time to cut the cake. The coordinator told me how we cut the cake represented how we work together as a team. This was hilarious because I couldn’t seem to cut the cake, and after a minute Match said, oh let me do it. So I guess that’s how we work. He does everything for me!

Immediately after cake we had the bouquet and garter tosses. This was another classic moment-my cousin’s girlfriend didn’t just catch the bouquet, she swiped it. Then she whispered to me, “It better work!” It was adorable and I couldn’t be happier for her. Of course I felt bad for Tahoe Girl who really wanted to catch the bouquet. If you look closely, that’s her hand desperately reaching for it. She knows her and Tahoe Guy will get married. They’ve been together for 9 years! I think he’s just waiting for the right time since all of the couples in our group are getting married and he wants her to have her own moment. Hopefully next year he’ll propose!

The garter toss was a surprise as well. I’ve always been to weddings where the guys refuse to catch the garter. By the way don’t I look completely in pain in this picture? Like he’s biting my leg and not the garter? Hehehe. I was just really embarrassed.

Best Friend reached out and snatched the garter so fast I didn’t even see it happen!

The rest of the night is kind of a blur. There was tons of dancing and laughter. At one point my uncles tossed me in the air. I really wish someone had captured that on camera. At the end of the night the DJ got everyone to crowd around us while we danced together. It was another moment where my breath caught in my throat as I felt all of the love surrounding us. It was the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Ted: [over the phone] Hello, Robin, it’s Ted.
Robin Scherbatsky: Oh, hi, Ted.
Ted: [repeats] Hello, Robin, it’s Ted.
Robin Scherbatsky: Hi, Ted. Sounds like you’re having fun.
Ted: Robin, have I ever told you that I have been vomit-free since ’93?
Robin Scherbatsky: Oh, listen Ted. I can’t really talk right… ’93? Dude, that’s impressive. -How I Met Your Mother

I’m getting the pictures back from the wedding tomorrow!! I will post them asap. While we wait, I figured I would regal you with a story of the night before the wedding and the morning of. The night before the wedding I remained surprisingly calm. A few of my close girlfriends came over: Couple Wife, Geeky, Monica and Tahoe Girl. We drank a little bit of wine and chatted. Couple Wife brought me an adorable hoodie and tank top to wear for the morning of. Here’s me in the hoodie (which says BRIDE on the front, and Bride to Be on the back, and I still wear on walks, haha):

After the girls left I went about my routine. Did my oily skin treatment, brushed my teeth, and went to bed like usual. I was actually able to drift off to sleep. Then I get a text message from Match, who was out with a few of the guys for a few “casual drinks”. Here’s what the text said:

I threw up sweetie. Love u

Whaaaa?? I sit straight up in bed fully awake, and full on freak out mode. Now here’s a note to all the future grooms out there. Never, EVER tell your bride to be that you just threw up the night before the wedding. I texted Chandler begging him to take Match home so he could sleep it off. I had images of a very hung over groom looking green instead of happy at the ceremony. Chandler messaged me back that he was fine and that they were dropping him off right then. I managed to get to sleep but I couldn’t help stressing a little bit. I wasn’t bridezilla stressed mind you, just a little bit worried. It’s so funny to look back on it now.

First thing the next morning Match texted me that he was fine and not at all hung over. Turns out he’d actually had some bad beer. TomBoy and her boyfriend (formerly known as Single Girl, see I changed it!) had met up with the rest of the guys for a drink since they got in late. She’d only had one beer, from the same pitcher as Match and they’d both thrown up. So I was able to breathe a bit easier knowing Match wouldn’t be hung over and grumpy for the wedding day.

That morning Match was having a boys breakfast at his parents house while I was having a girls breakfast at Tahoe Girl’s parents house. It was amazing! We had pancakes, hash browns, mimosas and coffee. I confess I wasn’t able to eat much but I did the best I could on my nervous stomach. I knew I wouldn’t be eating much for the rest of the day.

Baker Chic, Tahoe Girl, Me, Monica and TomBoy

After breakfast we headed to the bridal suite at the ceremony site. On the way over the girls cranked up some Britney Spears and we danced around and sang in the car.  The girls did a great job of keeping me distracted and not too nervous. We had dance music blasting the entire time I was getting my hair and makeup done by Stylist Girl. It really helped calm my nerves. I wasn’t scared nervous, just incredibly excited. This was it!

The champagne helped too!

Piece of advice for all the brides to be. Wear as comfy of clothes as possible right up until you squeeze into that dress. I opted for workout pants and these fabulous slippers.

The girls kept looking at me all dolled up and getting teary eyed. I told them to tell me something to make me laugh instead of cry and the first thing Tomboy said was, “Match loves to fart!” That had us giggling so hard we ended up crying anyways.

The girls helped me struggle into my dress and that’s when I really felt like a bride.  Here’s a sneak peek at the dress that doesn’t even begin to do it justice.

I’ll continue the rest of the story when I get the professional pictures. Stay tuned!

Victoria: I will tell you my most humiliating story.
Marshall: Yeah, Victoria! Way to step up.
Victoria: OK, it involves a game of Truth or Dare, a squeeze bottle of marshmallow ice cream topping, and the hot tub at my grandparent’s retirement community.
Future Ted: Kids, I tell you a lot of inappropriate stories, but there’s no way in hell I’m telling you this one. Don’t worry, it wasn’t that great.
Marshall: [staring goggle-eyed at Victoria] That is the greatest story ever! -How I Met Your Mother

Hello my lovely readers! I’m sorry it’s been awhile since my last post. I have been incredibly busy packing up our house and getting ready for our move to the East Bay. I’ve also switched over my hosting to a new, much better hosting site and I was afraid to post until everything transferred over. Let me know if the site is buggy for you when posting comments.

We move this Saturday and I’m so excited. We’re moving to an actual house. Not just a duplex, but a single family detached home! This is the first house I’ve lived in with Match and I feel like it is so symbolic as our first new place as a married couple. Of course I wish it was a house we were buying, but we still need to save for that and figure out if we like this new town enough to buy here. I have a feeling we will though.

Besides all of the moving preparations, we’ve been busy visiting with friends. We hosted our last party at the duplex, a surprise birthday party for Monica/co-birthday party for me on the 11th. It was also a PJ party and all of us girls got into the spirit by wearing pigtails and acting like little kids. It was such a fun night!

I’m terrible at secrets but I managed to pull off the surprise for Monica. I picked her up and distracted her the whole drive to my house with talk of her upcoming wedding next summer. When she walked in, Tahoe Couple were there, along with Monica’s Lil Sis and Match, all head to toe Pajamaed. She was shocked! We all donned party hats, and we had PJs ready for Monica and I to change into.

Here are just a few pictures from the night.

Me, Lil Sis, Monica, and Tahoe Girl

Me and Token Gay Couple. They’re getting married next!

Me and Geeky

Chandler brought me and Monica flowers. What a sweetie!

Monica and I also got cupcakes smashed in our faces by our men soon after this picture. I got frosting all over my face which will probably give me adult-acne but it was so funny. It was payback for Match and Chandler’s birthday!

We played I Never the board game. Yes there is a board game version, and it’s hilarious. Every time everyone had done the I Never, Token would say, “Suck it bitch!” before we drank. There were Truth or Dare questions mixed in with the game which really added to the retro feel of the party. At one point Chandler had to switch clothes with Monica which made for some great and embarrassing moments for Chan.
It was an amazing night and a great send off for Monica. I’m really going to miss that girl! Only 3 months til she’s back again. It was also a great last party at the duplex. We’ve had some great memories there.

When’s the last time you had a PJ party?