One wedding leads to eight years of marriage, six cars and three children
By Maggie Modjeski | Maggie on Monday

Last week my husband and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary. It was also the anniversary of my day as “Bridezilla.”

The sun wasn’t shining; I had to be sewed into my wedding dress; and a stray cat entered the church with me, all before I was to wed my beloved! How dare these problems occur on MY wedding day? After all, isn’t that what getting married is all about — the wedding?
Even though the stray cat entered the church just as I did, and even though no one had a video camera at the reception and even though the guests dug into the buffet, including the wedding cake, before we arrived — heck, people were hungry, who needs the guests of honor? — the day went off without a hitch, and nobody was aware it didn’t go as planned.

Weddings are fun, for the guests. Those participating in the event may feel differently. There’s the expense, whether you are a parent or participant, and then there is the pressure for all to make the day perfect. It does set the stage for your lifetime together, doesn’t it?

After eight years, six cars, three children, two homes (two at one time for a period, thanks to a great housing market) and one wedding, I am thankful for what really matters: bickering that leads to laughs, sharing late-night wake-up calls from the children, and most of all, having that one friend who is always there for me even when I am unbearable.

The wedding means so much to so many. It did to me. But was I trying to make it perfect for myself and my future husband or for all attending? I would say the latter. In the planning, I considered all weddings I had been to and what I liked or didn’t and what our guests might like.

Though it has only been eight years since my big day, brides haven’t changed. According to the Web site weddingchannel.com, common pre-wedding concerns include:

Stepping in grease when getting out of the limo. While this didn’t happen to me, there was a spare stamen in my bouquet that led to a red stain across my chest as I got out of the car. As we entered, I heard one guest ask, “Did she already spill red wine on herself?” A little bit of soap, water and low lighting took care of that.

Avoiding overindulgence of beverages. Not a good sign when the bride stumbles down the aisle. It’s true, eating is usually last on the “to do” list that day. Fortunately, I abstained until later at the reception when the bubbly was poured. I felt the effects the day after as

I hung my head low at the gift opening, while my husband and personal attendant entertained guests and opened the gifts.

Caketastophies. Cakes are an integral part of the wedding and can cost $1.50 or more per slice. Brides hate to see them melt or be knocked over before they can be displayed and captured on film. I didn’t have to worry as ours was dismembered by hungry guests before the official cutting. I don’t like cake anyway, so while the posed pictures by a half-eaten cake looked odd, I didn’t sweat it.

We did have enough left over to save some for our one-year anniversary and found it tasted more like it was worth 25 cents. Like everything else, it depreciated in value.

Dress rehearsal. Brides and grooms alike need to be fitted for their attire before the event. If the day arrives and the apparel doesn’t fit, that’s what thread, a needle and a handy friend are for. But as I found out, the quick sew won’t hold up to wedding dance favorites, such as “I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Thanks to a quick spin and a quick camera, my dress, which busted open in back, will be forever immortalized in our wedding album.

In all honesty, I had to think hard to remember the mishaps, and they led to laughter as my husband and I recalled them while watching an episode of “Bridezilla” on television. We are probably the only two who do recall those events — and that’s because it was OUR wedding.

So while the traditional wedding gift for eight years is something bronze, I’m thankful for his gift of eight years, six cars, three children, two homes and more wonderful memories than I can count.

Maggie Modjeski is the former executive director for the Winona Community Foundation and had also served with Winona County Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Each Monday, she writes about the

challenges and joys of raising a family and being part of the Winona community. Her e-mail address is maggiem@hbci.com.

.

More: Palin response to Letterman jokes off base My dear friend, sleep How to find the perfect hair stylist for you

Advertisement