So .... More than 24 hours ago I was at the salon getting my hair done, having a toast to my upcoming ceremony and thinking of what Doug was doing right then. Now are are in aother state getting ready to begin our honeymoon. I expected time to go fast and it was always on my mind the entire day and night ... but man time really did go fast!
I've never felt so much happiness in one day. I feel guilty saying that when I have Jaden, but his birthday was different....it came with exhaustion and nursing. Still one of the greatest days, just in a different way. Our wedding day had a lightness and honesty about it. Doug and I have pledge our lives together. To be there for one another and to be each other's constant support.
Over breakfast I asked Doug what his favorite memory was of the day ... he said it was dancing. I think my favorite part was how carefree everyone was....Doug was humorous and outgoing. I was roaming and soalizing. All the while, Doug and I had each other on our minds. We kissed at every chance we had and held hands most of the night. It is a memory that will serve as my reminder to always be there for him. To hold his hand through life and to kiss and make up.
I think one of my favorites, although it's hard to select just one ... was the limo ride. We had all of our closest friends and family there to celebrate us. Sherri brought good music and Rachael brough great drinks. It was a time to be silly and let loose. We could get obnoxious and just be goofy. We even were able to meet up with Katie for a mutual wedding photo opportunity. I can't put into words how wonderful it was to have my girls next to me ... both new girls and those that have always been there. The Rappis kids were so grown up and such a pleasure to have there. Syd wore her high tops the whole day ... they were rockin'!
Thank you to everyone who made it down or up to celebrate with us. We are so blessed to have friends and family like all of you! We will be thinking of you on our honeymoon and can't wait to remenise about the wedding with you when we get back!
Love, Mrs. Melissa Bissing
Monday, September 21, 2009
Reflections of a Newlywed
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Counting the Minutes
To say I'm not excited would be an utter lie. I can count the number of hours left til the weekend ... and how many hours left of work .. and how many minutes til I walk down the aisle. It's becoming more and more real each day. When we first got engaged it felt so far away ... like we had so much time to plan! And now I'm packing for our honeymoon and finalizing dinner orders. It's so exciting!
A special thank you to my mom and sister. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be as calm as I am now (although Doug would argue I'm not calm at all). They have been my rock and gone WAY over board for me! I've got the greatest support system! I love you both very much! I hope you know how much your efforts and love mean to me!
It's grandparents day today, First one ever with two sets of grandparents to honor! Jaden is so lucky to be loved by so many. I want to raise him to know how special family is. There is nothing that he can do to alter mine or Doug's love for him and I know his grandparents feel the same way. What a lucky little guy to have four AMAZING grandparents!
Love, Mel
Monday, September 7, 2009
Will this be the last time signing Melissa Medal?
The wedding planning is in full force, including several calls a day between Mom, Rachael and myself. I've got over 100 of the brownie pops baked. I ran out of eggs, so I have to go and get more. The attendant gifts are just about finished; waiting for a few things to come in the mail. The day's agenda has been created and just needs some tweaking. All of the confirmation phone calls need to be made over the next week and a half.
I only have 6 days left of work. I can't believe it's happening so fast. I almost wish it would slow down so I could enjoy every second just a little bit longer. I've loved all of the planning and details. Although I could have gone without some of the tiffs. But all is turning out well!
I had my final dress fitting last week. She made some alterations that made the WORLD of a difference! I felt like a movie star in it! When it was time to change back into my clothes, I was sad to take it off. I can't even imagine the excitement and what will be going through my head the next time I put the dress on. That will be the last time I wear the dress too .. .the entire day long. From the moment I put that dress on, the entire day is going to fly by. Pictures with the girls, walking down the aisle, saying our vows, riding the limo, toasts, dancing, kisses, family. I just don't want it to be over!
We will be officially married and an official family. I'll be a Bissing. I should start practicing making my "B"s Although it takes a few weeks to get all the paperwork in order before I'm officially a Bissing. I think I get a new Social Security number ... but I'm not sure. I remember when Doug and I were dating I'd sometimes sign my name Melissa Bissing when paying at the grocery store. It was our way of playing house. Made both of us smile at the fact that some day it would be real. I would truely be Melissa Bissing. Now each time I sign my name, I think "what if this is the last time I'm a Medal?" I've thought that everytime I've signed my name since we've gotten engaged. Now it's getting close the the last time is nearing. But how exciting to know that I'll be a Bissing in less that two weeks!
Darn it, Jaden is up again ... Mom duty calls!
Love, Mel
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Becky's Wedding
I had the honor of setting up and being the go to person for my friend Becky's weeding. I was so excited and nervous as I wanted her day to be perfect! The morning started off ahead of schedule with coffee from Caribou and a kickn’ wedding planner tool belt. I drove Becky to the War Memorial to go over last minute instructions. I felt pretty good!
When we arrived, her family was already unloading linens and her dress. Everyone was pitching in to help. The dining hall was set much faster than I anticipated and made me feel hopeful about the rest of the day. By the time the bride and her bridesmaids left at 11 am, the tables were dressed and set. We needed to still set the candy bar and blow up more balloons. The most stressful part was that there were so many people there to instruct and asking for direction. I hoped it would calm down once everyone left to get pretty for the wedding.
And it did calm down, but the time flew and the tasks look longer to complete. I was on the patio tying flowers to the chair and arch when all of a sudden I realized it was 2pm. The cake, caterer and florist were showing up any minute and I was only half way done with the ceremony setup. Not to mention I felt much more like a piece of bacon frying than a wedding planner at this point. Candace and Nikki helped rock it out and we finished the outside. I was loosing steam fast and made a huge push at the end to finish placing the lights around the banisters.
The three of us girls raced upstairs and took some birdie baths in the bathroom (thanks mom for teaching me that term…I love it now that I’m a mom too!) I dressed, applied my makeup and left to check on the bride and groom to see if they needed anything else last minute. I had a few seconds to breath while I stood in the back waiting to fluff the bride’s dress before she walked down the aisle.
Then it was cocktail hour….if I thought I was busy before, I had no idea what was ahead! I answered last minute questions from Saz’s, said hello to a few coworkers, gave last min instructions to the DJ and before I knew it we were in line waiting to be seated for dinner. I ate TONS as I hadn’t eaten all day long. Then before I knew it, everyone had left the hall and was back outside for dancing. I broke down all of the tables and packaged everything together to be sent home. There wasn’t enough room in Becky’s mom’s car, so I loaded the remaining items in my car and got to dance a little bit before the night was over.
The day was SO long but made me so excited for my own wedding! AND it made me realize that wedding planners are not paid enough for all that hard work. Becky didn’t stop smiling the entire day and she kept looking at me telling me that I was going to have so much fun. Her and Andy walked around holding hands and you could just tell how much they loved each other! I couldn’t be happier for them!
Only 46 more days until my own wedding … I don’t know that I’ll ever be as organized as Becky was, but I do know I’ll be as happy as she was!
Love, Mel
Monday, July 27, 2009
A Shower to Remember!
Saturday was full of food, great company, amazing women and fun games! A huge thanks to mom (the M.O.B.), Rachael (the M.O.H.) and Nada (the BEST) for all the hard work and small thought out details.
The morning started with hanging out with the boys. Jaden and I watched some cartoons while Doug got ready for the day. When the boys left for their errands, I went to get my nails done. (I had been looking forward to this for the whole week!) Johnny took care of my nails while telling me of his gambling problem ... it was interesting!
Then I went to mom's and hung out until party time. There was so much food to bring over, dad had to drive it next door! The decorations were lovely and I was so excited for the first guest to arrive! Heather and Cyndi was the first followed by Auntie "O". Then the guests didn't stop flowing! The food was every where you turned and all of my favorites! Wiener roll ups, artichoke/spinach dip, chocolate and the list went on! I was so overwhelmed with how many people came to celebrate! The Green Bay family showed up as the second wave of guests! It was so nice that they made the trek down to Waukesha to visit.
Jaden opened a present from Aubry and Joey from his birthday. It was a Mickey Mouse snow cone maker. he was so excited and wanted to open it right away. I explained that we had to put it in the freezer first. He said ok, hugged the box tight and ran off. I assumed he went to show off his present to someone else. Nope, the smarty pants marched right over and put it in Nada's fridge! Who knew he was so smart!
<---- notice the blue box on the shelf ... that's the snow cone maker!
After a few beers and stories about the day, we finally made it home! What a wonderful day, spent with wonderful family and friends. Thank you ladies for making a day I will always remember!
Love, Mel
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Great Blue Ram
Invitations were stuffed, envelopes sealed ... today was the day to mail the invitations. Becky and I head out on our lunch break to the local Menomonee Falls Post Office ... little did we know it would be so difficult to find! I called the National Support line to find out where it was ... he said it was on Appleton ... well we were on Appleton. After spotting the large american flag flying in the front, we finally spot the random building that also houses three other businesses.
We walk into the post office to have the invite weighed. "Well, you're going to need four stamps" said the lady. I asked if we could have them metered ... she didn't even acknowledge my question and said "well I think we can get it down to three stamps. Two wedding cake stamps and this blue ram stamp. Will that be ok?" What was I supposed to say? "NO it's not ok, ask the post master to make another 17 cent stamp with a wedding bell on it." I just chuckled and said "What would a wedding invitation be without a tacky blue ram stamp on the front?"
Now, I don't know how many people actually notice the stamps on letters that are mailed ... but it's going to be hard not to notice the blue ram. I even have a picture to remember the adventure! As another coworker said "There is never a dull moment with Medal"
See you ladies in 3 days!
Love, Mel
Sunday, July 19, 2009
We have made progress!
The invitations are made and in envelopes. Doug and I stayed up late working on them together. I realize how lucky I am to have a husband who is interested and willing to help with our wedding! The only things left are to seal them and have them weighed at the post office. I think I'll be going to mail them on lunch tomorrow.
We also met with the musician today after church. Ben is a laid back guy I used to take guitar lessons from. He also gives lessons to Reggie (Usher) and Jake (Groomsman). We are going to have a mix of solo/guitar and some recorded music. Overall, Doug and I have chosen music that has both meaning and humor. :)
Next on the list is the Bridal Shower! Mom, Nada and Rachael have been working so hard to plan a nice afternoon, I'm really looking forward to it. So many friends and family are coming from all over, IL, Green Bay ... I can't wait to spend time with everyone. Also, it's will be one of the first time both my and Doug's extended family get to meet each other. It should be a good time!
The boys are just about done playing swords ... and I think we are going to for a Sunday evening family walk. Love you all!
xoxo, Mel
Friday, June 5, 2009
The countdown begins!
With less than 100 days until the wedding, we are starting to making lots of decisions!
Doug and I just finalized our honeymoon. We will be flying down to Orlando on Sunday night and catching a four day cruise to the Bahamas on Monday morning. Our Royal Caribean cruise will be stopping in Nausau and CocoCay islands. Then we will be driving back up to Orlando and spending four days at Lowe's resort on Universal Studio grounds. We'll be visiting Universal Stuidos, City Walk and the roller coaster park (can't remember the name of it). It should be an AMAZING vacation! Doug did a really nice job of planning!
Next on our list of decisions is the invitations. I'm making them by hand (with help from my mom and sister .. and I'm sure Doug will be helping too!). They are just about designed and materials bought. I just need to find more ribbon. JoAnns was a nut house yesterday and only had three spools.
Other exciting news ... we just got an accepted offer on a house! This will be try #2 ... Inspection is on Monday afternoon. I hope this time it goes well. Doug and I are really excited to have a place of our own with a backyard for Jaden. If all goes well we'll be moving early to mid August. It's kind of close to the wedding ... we might be living out of boxes until afterwards...but we are totally in love with the house and to us it's worth it!
Doug and I have also been trying to select music ... we need help with the following:
- Bridal Song (when I walk down the aisle)
- Grand March Song
- Cake Cutting
- Garter Toss
- Bouquet Toss
We are stuck on quite a few ... can you help?
Doug, Jaden and I love you all lots! Can't wait to share our day with you!
Love, Mel