I was just finishing a cup of banana creme yogurt when I got an invitation from my friends Jenn and Damien to be a bridesmaid in their upcoming September 1st wedding.  I squealed, nearly dropping a dollop of yogurt in my lap, and jumped upstairs to tell my brother and my nephews the glad news.  They weren't as enthused as I was.  I guess it's a girl thing, boys.  So this got me thinking...

Jenn and Damien have given me a huge honor -- an honor that I've long wanted and never got from any of my friends before.  An honor I should've gotten from my former best friend, but let's not get into that too deeply now.

I'm happy to become a bridesmaid because it's the next best thing to being a bride -- NO -- better because I don't get to be put through the stress of being the bride.  Does anyone out there understand that feeling?  I've always cried at weddings -- NOT because I wasn't the one getting married, but because the friends I've witnessed get married didn't think I was important enough to be in their wedding ceremony!  I also find weddings to be SO beautiful that I get emotionally moved.  It has nothing to do with the couple being worthy of marriage or enduring love, it all has to do with the beauty and majesty of the ritual.  Weddings have captured my fantasy ever since I was a little girl wishing I could be a fairy princess marrying her prince charming.

Now I've got a big smile on my face and will go to bed dreaming sweet thoughts for my pals.  They really have made my week.  And I've got jewels and gowns on my mind...

And if Jenn picks pill box pink, I'll wear it in their honor proudly even though it's sooooo not my color.