At a party friends held on Saturday night for our upcoming nuptials, someone asked me if I was ‘ready.’
I laughed.
My challenge, I told them, was that I was trying to think of the things I’d missed that I hadn’t thought of doing yet but, because I hadn’t thought of doing them, how could I think of them?
I can’t do what I don’t know needs doing.
We go through life desperately wanting to be prepared for everything. We make our lists, organize and sort and prepare for what we think we need to do or have or be in order to not be surprised by what happens next.
And then life happens in all its unexpected, glorious unpredictability. Life happens.
Yet, again and again, we keep looking to be prepared for everything, even the things we don’t know might happen or could happen simply because we are not in control of LIFE.
Everything I have read about wedding planning states, “Always have a Plan B”. In particular, if it is an outdoor wedding, have a Plan B in case it’s raining.
Our Plan B is to hold it under the tent and then quickly, after the ceremony, set the tent up for the reception.
Good Plan.
But…
Here’s the one I forgot to think about, and one none of the articles I’ve read on being prepared for everything and anything have mentioned either.
That’s great for the ceremony, but what about the photos?
I don’t have a Plan B for the photos if it’s raining.
And I wouldn’t have thought of needing one if I hadn’t been asked the question Saturday night, “Are you ready?”
Yesterday, I spent the day working on making sure I’d thought of everything — even the things I haven’t figured out I need to think about yet. I have my binder all set-up. I have samples of all the various pieces we’ll have at the wedding, from the signage to the thank-you gift tags to the wishing tree tags all within one folder in my binder.
I’ve got a list of all the things we need to take with us, from the decorations to the centrepieces to the string and fishing wire and duct tape we’ll need to hang and decorate the tent. I’ve started to load things into big plastic tubs and pile together what I still need to use but will be taking with us.
Yesterday, C.C. and I met with our dear friend AJ who will be performing the ceremony. We went through the script and now I’ve got it all typed up and ready to go off to the Marriage Commissioner who is required by BC law to be in attendance. We wouldn’t want to get married and not have it official!
And then, as I was lying in bed this morning thinking about what I might not yet have thought about, I realized, I’d forgotten to ask AJ to ensure he mentions who the Marriage Commissioner is. While she won’t be saying anything, she does need to be acknowledged.
Back to the script to make another edit.
And so it goes.
There are a thousand and one moving parts to any event and while I may have thought of most things, there will inevitably be those I just haven’t considered if only because I don’t know to consider them!
Like life.
I don’t always know what’s going to happen next, but, what happens next doesn’t need to take me down if I am grounded in my one true self, standing true to my commitment to take every step, no matter the weather, in love.
Ultimately, that is what our wedding is all about. Love. It is a public testament of who we are as individuals, a couple and a family with our children standing beside us.
I may not think of everything before the big day. It doesn’t matter. Every step of this journey has been taken with the one ingredient that will ensure the day is sparkling and exciting and a beautiful reflection of what we share deep within our hearts. While we may need Plan Bs and maybe even Cs if the unexpected happens or the weather does what the weather might do, what we want most to share with our families and friends, to embrace them and envelop them as we come together is to say, no matter what life brings us, we can get through anything when we stand in LOVE.
When we stand together, love is all we need to weather any storm.
When we hold only love between us, nothing in the world can come between us or pull us apart.
When we give only love, only love is what we receive, no matter the weather or how many things are left undone.
When we create all our plans in Love, Love is all we need. Love is always the answer.
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And a huge, huge call out to Jane and Jackie and Tamara for organizing Saturday night’s wonderful party — in the excitement I forgot all about taking photos! (hopefully someone will send me some and I can post them tomorrow to share all the festivities with you!) Also, thank you to my dear friend Wendy who pitched in to help set up and who was/is so incredibly generous in everything she does and gives. And to all who came to wish us well. You have added more joy to my already over-brimming with joy heart! Thank you.
April 13, 2015 at 7:19 am
LG
What would we do with an un-planned life?
Kudos for all your planning in pursuit of perfection.
I’m sure you have many events, memories and fondly remembered stories about ‘best moments’. I expect that you, like me, and like most folks – those best moments are unscripted, unplanned and impossible to create because life is so much better than any fiction we could create.
There will be many things that go rightly, according to plan.
And there will be ones that don’t.
And the sun will rise the next morning without the slightest hesitation or worry.
As should you!
Cheers,
Mark
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April 14, 2015 at 5:34 am
It most definitely will Mark! And so will I! 🙂 I love this — “life is so much better than any fiction we could create.”
Thank you my friend!
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April 13, 2015 at 7:26 am
And if plan A and B don’t work, there are 24 more letters in the alphabet. It will be fine. You will get married no matter the weather, and that’s the best part.
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April 14, 2015 at 5:34 am
Your words made my heart sing Mary! thank you. ❤
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April 13, 2015 at 9:08 am
Love those words of standing together for love triumphs all…whatever the weather, love dilutes it to be on your side. My best wishes for all the plans Louise.
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April 14, 2015 at 5:35 am
Thank you so much Balroop. In the busy-ness of getting ready, I have not had as much time to read blogs! I’ve missed you dear one. Hugs.
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April 13, 2015 at 12:17 pm
So true. As I was planning to attend your wonderful party, my retina was quietly detaching from its place on the wall of my eye. Now I have the gift of time to heal and focus on mindfulness. And I will be at your wedding with bells on — squinty eye and all!
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April 14, 2015 at 5:36 am
I am so glad Nan that your eye got the care it needed as soon as it needed it! Yes, we are blessed to live where health care is so accessible to all. I don’t care if you’re squinty eyed or wearing a patch — I just want you there and am sooooo grateful you will be! Thank you my dear, dear friend. ❤
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April 13, 2015 at 2:29 pm
All the best on your big day, Louise! I’m sure it will come together beautifully. Even the little unplanned events, hitches have their own memorable qualities. 🙂
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April 14, 2015 at 5:38 am
They do Lisa! You’re so close… you could drive up and be one of those unplanned and delightfully memorable events! 🙂
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April 13, 2015 at 3:34 pm
When I read the opening paragraph, my first reaction was that the question ‘are you ‘ready’ meant ‘are you ready to commit to this other person for the rest of your life’, as opposed to ‘are you ready for the event’ which will join you together. When you think about it – in the grand scheme – the latter is really insignificant compared to the former.
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April 14, 2015 at 5:39 am
Great perspective Elizabeth! The latter is really insignificant compared to the former. C.C. and I have been ‘together’ for almost 8 years now. We have had many ups and downs, ins and outs and always, it is Love that has brought us through the broken places and kept us together. I am ready. Hugs ❤
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April 14, 2015 at 4:26 pm
I am so happy for you.
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April 13, 2015 at 4:15 pm
When I am asked if I am ready for some big event I may say yes but I often thing who is really ready even right up to the last minute we are thinking of other things to do
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April 14, 2015 at 5:40 am
there are always those unexpected’s to look forward to Joanne! 🙂
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April 13, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Exciting times!
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April 14, 2015 at 5:40 am
Very Julie! Very exciting!
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April 14, 2015 at 12:28 am
I can feel the excitement and the flutterings. All the best on your big day, dear Louise. 😊
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April 14, 2015 at 5:43 am
Ahhh, the flutterings! thank you Re. I appreciate your light and your support.
You always share such wonderful music on your blog — I’m wondering if you know of a wedding song that is particularly appropriate to Pondicherry? It is where my mother is from and I’d love to play a song at the wedding that celebrates her. Hugs
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April 14, 2015 at 6:27 am
Wow! Louise your mom can understand Tamil? That is the local language there.😊
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April 14, 2015 at 6:40 am
http://youtu.be/zuWPxM02Fr0 Punjabi
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April 14, 2015 at 6:59 am
I love the video Re! She doesn’t understand it — she’s been away from India for over 60 years. But, I want to play a piece as a commemorative of my history connected through hers. My father was Irish so we’ll have a jig and … 🙂 thanks so much!
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April 14, 2015 at 7:20 am
Your mom is Indian? South Indian? http://youtu.be/iFuJD88mMpw Bollywood hit songs.
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April 14, 2015 at 9:08 am
“Love, love, love. Love is all you need.” xoxo
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