Frankie says RELAX

Remember when "You've Got Mail" came out with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks? Well, I always smile to myself when I check my email and think of that woman's voice, "You've got mail!" That phrase seemed to dominate the 90's. It's funny how in the moment, trends seem so new and interesting... but when we're on to the new and more exciting things, the previous exciting thing will feel like ages ago.

Well, I'm being my usual cheesy self and thinking, "You've got mail!" as I open my email, (I use Yahoo, not even AOL, but a girl can still have fun). I see an email from one of my brides with the subject line: I NEED A FAVOR.

All caps, huh? No sugar-coating here. Wow, this has got to be good. I quickly forget the dozens of other emails and their subject lines, (I generally skim over all of them before deciding what emails need to be opened first), this email clearly has priority. As soon as I click on the email, I'm greeted with adorable pictures of an eight week old brown, black and white, Shitzu-poodle puppy. Uh-oh, I'm in trouble. Everyone knows my husband and I, as well as my twin sister are self-proclaimed, devout animal lovers. I already know what is coming.

The email outlines the fact that my client ordered Frankie, (the ridiculously adorable puppy), for her fiancé's birthday. Her fiancé's birthday happens to be Christmas Eve, ten days from when the email was sent. The problem is that the puppy is flying into the Colorado Springs airport more than a week before the birthday and my client reaaaaallllly wanted to surprise her fiancé on his actual birthday.

Never fear, Christy is here! Of course I tell my client I would be happy to watch her new pup so the surprise can happen perfectly. Just like with weddings, sometimes sacrifices need to be made so the day goes as close to perfect as possible. This time, the sacrifice is on my end-but I am a firm believer in karma. I've already got my twin sister's Siberian Husky and Maltese-Yorkie mix, as well as my own Black Lab and Pomeranian; what harm can ONE more do? Ehhh, my husband Pete will tell you...

"You agreed to WHAT?" he exclaims on the phone, trying to sound alarmed. I can tell by his tone that he is not the slightest bit surprised.

"Don't worry, it is just for a couple days, we will be in Sarasota visiting Grammy before you know it!" I assure him. I try to turn the conversation to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie quotes, which he particularly loves this time of year.

"Christy, a couple means two. You're talking about eight or nine days. Has the fur-ball had his de-wormer shots yet at least?" He calls my euphemism bluff.

"I'm not sure... Ok, well I love you, see you when you get home!" I quickly get off the phone and start thinking about his favorite meal I can prepare for dinner to take his mind off our temporary 'situation'.

Among the many fun parts of having an eight week old puppy in the house:

-Frankie's not yet potty-trained

-Frankie's breeder put him on a plane to us, so he is very leery of his nemesis: the crate.

-Frankie's not yet accustomed to sleeping through the night

-Frankie's strongly dislikes his crate, yet he is not accustomed to sleeping in a bed, (and he tends to do nose dives off the bed, unaware that the bed has even ended and he is face-planted on the carpet)

-being a male puppy, Frankie has an affinity for humping everything, all two pounds of him..

-my own dogs are suspicious of this new furry squeaker

-Porter, my Black Lab, is not happy that she isn't the baby of the household anymore

-Frankie has not yet learned that his puppy teeth and nails are razor sharp and hurt like heck

Besides all of the interesting 1:30 AM, 3:00 AM, and 4:30 AM potty breaks, Frankie might just be THE cutest puppy I've seen in a while, and very deserving of a few days of my time. Although it is very easy to make up little white lie excuses to yourself and others, it is ALWAYS more satisfying in the long run to help out someone in need. You never know who will be there for you when you need a favor.

The lessons here? There are many, but to summarize:

1) Regular life still goes on when you're planning a wedding. Not only does your regular daily life go on, so does your work life, personal life, birthdays, holidays etc... These all still occur while you're planning your wedding and all of these wonderful things will keep happening AFTER the wedding is over. Don't let the, "Big Day" blind you from your even more important daily life. The present is a gift, don't overlook it!

2) Weddings, among other events in life, can be overwhelming... *GASP* The planning process and even the Big Day are not always perfect. The purpose of weddings and other important life celebrations is to bring together loved ones to do just that: celebrate. If you are too busy trying to control every detail of the day, you won't be able to step back, take every moment in, and enjoy your day. Your family and friends may or may not have been supportive of you and your significant other for the duration of your relationship, but this is the time to let them show their support and lend a helping hand. If you need to have your Wedding Planner pet-sit your fiancé's birthday/Christmas present for a week, don't be afraid to ask. If you need the best man to return everyone's tux rentals after you've left for your honeymoon, don't be afraid to ask! Channel that inner Bridezilla! This is the one time in your life when you're allowed to ask and even demand things be done a certain way.

Many times in life we get caught up in pettiness and forget what relationships are all about. Family and friends are supposed to be there in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health... sound familiar? Believe it or not, those words don't just apply to husbands and wives; friends and families vow that type of unconditional love as well. This means if you're willing to accept and lend a helping hand, when needed, you can count on your loved ones to reciprocate.

My husband's favorite term comes to mind again, "Team work makes the dream work, baby!"

Something borrowed, Something blue...

One of the oldest and most fun wedding traditions for the Bride to follow is the old adage:

"Something old,

something new,

something borrowed,

something blue,

and a silver sixpence in her shoe!"

This saying is very English, (the sixpence is a silver coin worth six pennies), and many think it dates back to Victorian times. So, it's a cute little poem, but what the heck does it mean? Every item represents good luck, fidelity, prosperity and love in one form or another. Something old represents something from your past life that you're bringing into you're new marriage. Something new represents the new bond your fiance and you are forming in marriage. Something borrowed is preferably from your Mother or an older sister, ideally passing on their happiness onto your marriage. Something blue represents fidelity, honesty and prosperity, (beliefs from the Roman and then early Christian times). And the silver sixpence was something English brides used to do in wishing for wealth, success and happiness.

One of the reasons this tradition is still carried out today is because it still applies to today. Couples still hope for everlasting love and happiness with their future bride or groom; people still want to believe in love conquering all. What I like most about this tradition is that it shows how every relationship in your life can be loving and supportive, not just the relationship with your significant other.

You might borrow your mother's veil or your grandmother's broach for your wedding day. Your dad might give you a necklace that belonged to his grandmother generations ago, which would qualify as old and new because it is new to you. When I bought my Vera Wang at Andrisen Morton's in Denver, Colorado, the sweet bridal consultant told me not to worry about my, "something blue." I inquisitively asked what she meant and she just smiled. "Don't worry about it my dear, you'll find out in due time." I am not a very patient girl and I thought about it often until my wedding day when I was putting my dress on. One of my bridesmaids said, "Aww, Christy that is so sweet!" I looked down and there was a delicate Tiffany blue ribbon sewn into the inside of my dress. These are the fun moments of weddings and marriage.

Many brides and grooms today will give each other a gift on their wedding day. My Maid of Honor who happens to be my twin sister as well, bravely ventured into the Groom's room where all of the groomsmen where waiting for the ceremony to start at the church and gave him a watch from me. My husband, Pete, only wears the watch on special occasions but he loves it because it is sentimental. I, on the other hand, had received my special wedding day gift weeks before we got married.

There were two beautiful contemporary chairs from Pier 1 which I had my eye on for my home office. Every time decorating our new home came up in conversation, those chairs were the first thing on my mind. My husband was always quick to change the conversation topic, as the chairs were not in our price range. But on Easter Sunday, we were eating at one of our favorite breakfast spots in Colorado Springs, "Western Omelette" when it happened. Pete was eating his usual breakfast chimichanga smothered in green chili. For those of you who have never had green chili, the word HOT does not begin to do this satanic food justice. At Western Omelette they make their green chili out of habaneros, and as my husband and his buddies love to say, "It burns twice!" To make a long story short, I am a plain jane when it comes to food, my tongue does not like spicy anything. Well, my beloved Pier 1 office chairs came up in conversation and my wonderful husband came up with a spiteful plan. "Have you ever seen that Food Network show, Man v. Food? Well, if you can eat this small bowl of green chili and not drink anything for five minutes afterwards, then I will get you the Pier 1 chairs as your wedding gift." My husband and his best friend, Jon, exchange knowing looks, they think there is no chance I would attempt such a feat. Much to their surprise, I take a huge spoonful and lift it to my mouth... freak out, and put it right back in the bowl where it came from. After the initial bravery wears off, twenty minutes pass. At this point pretty much the whole restaurant knows the battle royal going on at our table. The waitress comes to refill our drinks and gives me an encouraging boost of confidence.

Finally, Pete says, "Alright, if you don't eat the chili in the next two minutes, the deal is off the table." I don't know what came over me, but all I could think about was how perfectly those chairs would compliment my nice new desk and pretty black filing cabinets; I scarfed the green chili down before anyone could say another word. Pete and Jon just stared blankly at me, as if it didn't happen. "START THE TIMER!" I squealed, every microscopic part of my lips and mouth that the habanero had touched was on FIRE. The time ticked slowly by with taunts from the boys about how thirsty I must be... At last, the bet was over, I had won, I sipped on my chocolate milk and smiled politely at my dismayed husband. "Victory is mine! Lets go get those chairs, babe!" The three of us drive up to Pier 1, something is off, there are no cars in the parking lot. Then it hits us, every business is closed on Easter Sunday... I would have to wait for my "Something New"!!

What is the lesson here? There are a million and ten ways to spice up your relationship, and make the wedding planning process fun! You don't have to follow every wedding tradition just as every other bride does. It is very easy to personalize your wedding and make it memorable :)