Team Marlow is COMPLETE

Well, it's official...we have a (full) WEDDING PARTY!!!

I know I've already told everyone the Bride's side...but as of yesterday, all Best Men and Groomsmen have been drafted and readily accepted their positions on Team Marlow.

So, here's a list of the remainder of Team Marlow:

Jeff Wachter - Best Man

Chad Solomon - Best Man

Mike Goldsmith - Groomsman

Rich Ross - Groomsman

Nick Burnett - Groomsman

Danny Rubin - Groomsman

Filipp Kofman - Groomsman

Matt will be able to give a better description of who each guy is, but until then, I just wanted to post a quick something so everyone knows...WE'RE GOING TO THE CHAPEL! (Well, even though you have to switch Beach with Chapel, you get the point!!) 

Stop and Smell the Stargazer Lilies....

Ok, so everyone who knows me knows that I am not a "girly girl."  I don't love to put on make-up and straighten my hair everyday, my favorite outfit is not a super cute sundress, I don't cry at sad movies, and I'm more happy watching a baseball game than any show on television.  However, I do love what all girls love - surprises from their significant other!  Matt and surprises - are two things that don't normally go together.  But, this time he got me!  On Monday, a beautiful arrangement of stargazer lilies (my favorite flowers) was delivered to the law firm I am clerking for this summer.  The card was even more amazing than the flowers.  So thoughtful and so unexpected! I loved them and I love him. Unfortunately, I haven't had a free moment to take a picture of them, so this is a picture of the flowers Matt sent me last December to wish me luck on my finals.  Gorgeous aren't they?  I will update with a picture of those sent Monday later today.  They are just as beautiful and so many more as it is an arrangement of only stargazer lilies! 

Now, I bet you are wondering - wowzers, flowers on a Monday, just because it was Monday? How does that work?  Well it's even better than that.  The flowers were actually delivered a day early, as Matt had requested them to be delivered Tuesday.  Tuesday was a special day - It was one year ago on Tuesday that I fell in love with Matt.  I won't tell you why or how because I think that is something special to Matt and I, but it's so touching that he remembered and celebrated it with me by sending the flowers.

Matt and I had been dating for a while by this time last year, and I fell in love with him on July 22, 2007, but I wasn't quite ready to say those three words.  However, Matt was.  He said them shortly after the day I fell in love with him (by shortly I mean 2 days later, so today a year ago), but I was mum for another week and a half (even after he said it).  That time was probably awkward for Matt, but I take those words so seriously I didn't want to rush anything, I wanted to be sure.  However after a week and 1/2 that included....moving apartments, making a home cooked meal (home-made mac and cheese and Mexican Thursday), taking down curtains (aka me falling - almost cracking my spine - and an embarassing moment Matt won't let me live down), a day spent painting (literally a WHOLE day - who knew?), heatstrokes (new apartment had no central a/c - and old old old window unit), crazy/random allergic reaction (freaked both Matt and I out - called my father, Matt literally ran to corner gas station to get medicine - so freaky), BBQ and poker with friends, a USA v. China baseball game, and SONICCCC later...I didn't hesitate to let him know that I loved him too.  

So here we are, a year later, still madly in love, happily engaged, and daily uttering those three words with out any hesitation.

It's all about LOCATION!

So, you know the date...you know 1/2 the wedding party....there is only 1 other detail that Matt and I have decided for sure....the LOCATION!  Matt and I will be tying the knot at HILTON SANDESTIN on August 9, 2009.  When I was a little girl, my family took a summer vacation to Gulf Shores for the summer.  Then, one year, my dad had a medical conference in Sandestin.  Next thing we know, Sandestin became another "home" to the Wallace family.  I have been going there for probably 15 years.  Soon my parents bought a condo down there and then the saying became true - the Wallace's were in fact "home" in Sandestin.  I love it down there.  As soon as I go over the Mid-Bay Bridge it is like my worries and cares disappear - the sea, sand, air, it's all better down there (and I'm not kidding)! And, it isn't just about the beach access, several pools, lakes to fish in, bikes rides, or marina....Ladies, there is a fantastic spa Serenity by the Sea and shopping at Silver Sands Outlets.  Men, there are phenomenal golf courses.  Kiddos (of all ages), there is the Track (crazy awesome go-karts) and Big Kahuna (super fun water park).  Adults, Baytown Warf is located on property, so you don't even have to drive to tasty dinners (fresh seafood) and the nightlife includes the dueling piano bar Rum Runners.  Yeah, they have everything you can think of and some things that never even crossed your mind!   I am so excited that Matt and I will be getting married there, but the thing is - don't just take my word for it.  Matt hasn't even seen it yet, but I know he is going to be blown away and LOVE it!!! Matt and I will be heading down there for almost 2 weeks at the beginning of August to kick this planning into some high gear!  I can't wait for him to see it, and he'll definitely report back on what he thinks so you can get another opinion!  Until then, I'll leave you with some photos of the area and hopefully madly jealous that Matt and I will be there in just 14 days! Ha! Ha! Just kidding, but enjoy...if you want to check it out closer....Hilton Sandestin.... or if you want to check out the entire resort - check out...Sandestin....In the end, "IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN SANDESTIN!"

             

1/2 of TEAM MARLOW

     

1/2 of Team Marlow has been drafted.  I know this probably doesn't make sense to most of you reading, so I'll explain.  I wanted to send out a special invitation to some very special ladies in my life.  I wanted to invite them to be a part of our wedding as either a Maid of Honor or a Bridesmaid (and some of their kiddos), but then I wanted to do it in a way in which they would remember.  So, the brainstorming began....

Matt and I have had a relationship that has been primarily centered around the sport of baseball...seriously!  For a short example: His "pick-up line" was "So, you're a Cardinals fan?"  Our first real date was in Atlanta watching the Braves play the Cardinals.  Our first vaca together was to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play the Reds from the view of the owners box! He proposed after a baseball "game" on UVA's lawn, and then we celebrated our engagement with a trip to D.C. to watch Matt's Nationals take on my Cardinals.  Get the point? So, a thought hit me - let's make the invitation for the girls to be in the wedding with a baseball theme reflecting our relationship.  

I designed baseball style t-shirts for each of the members of the Bride's side of Team Marlow (they were designed before we picked a date so the 09 on the back was just for the year, but now it is going to be on the 9th! ironic?!?), they also got a black picture frame with a picture of Matt and I in our respective team's jerseys (the idea being that after the wedding they can use that frame to put a picture from the wedding in), where as the kiddos in the wedding got Team Marlow sugar cookies and a pillow case with the logo Team Marlow and the rings (as pictured in the shirts above).  I am excited to say that all 7 ladies and 3 kiddos have said Y-E-S...some with tears, some with pictures, some with instant messages, and some with phone calls, and hopefully ALL with smiles!  Therefore, I thought it was time to introduce...1/2 of TEAM MARLOW!

Robyn Wallace (Maid of Honor) - she is my twin sister

Elizabeth Stelley (Maid of Honor) - she is the bestest (see below post)

Kimberly Phillips (Bridesmaid) - she is my oldest sister 

Barbara Wade (Bridesmaid) - she is my older sister

Meredith Brewer (Bridesmaid) - Baylor friend (roomies freshman year and friends since)

Diana Tavares (Bridesmaid) - Baylor friend (met her before she got to Baylor and friends since)

Katharine Marlow (Bridesmaid) - Matt's sister

Logan Phillips (Ring Bearer) - nephew (Kimberly's oldest son)

Carter Phillips (Ring Bearer) - nephew (Kimberly's youngest son)

Abby Wade (Flower Girl) - niece (Barbara's daughter)

Matt wanted to wait until a date was set to start asking his guys - and really, let's face it, guys are not like girls...we women want to know what's going on...what the colors are...what the dressses will look like...flowers...etc....and the guys, i'm thinking they want to know what time do i need to be there and when do the free drinks start flowing! Ha! So, once we've got the Groom's side asked and answered we'll post.

Well I guess this sort-of makes it officially time to kick this planning thing into gear! Matt and I will be spending a lot of August together in Florida making all kinds of decisions that we'll update about when we know.  

My blue blanket...

Ok - so this morning I am laughing hysterically at work.  I get to work at 6am and work (without lunch) until 2 pm.  This week I am so thankful that this is my schedule because our A/C is out. Every morning of this week, when I got into the office the thermostat read 78 and that is at 6 am!!!! By the time others show up around 8ish, it is already at 80!!! The a/c guy who is our firms local "handy man" was here yesterday from like 11 until 5...installing a new compressor, but still no cool air today! Bummer!

I blame my love of the air conditioning on my father (thanks daddy)! I say this because staying with my parents this summer I have realized that good 'ole 207 (what we are calling the rental house) is constantly at 68 degrees downstairs (I "live" upstairs, and although I set it on 68, it never gets below 70 b/c of the way the sun "attacks" the upstairs).  But I found myself alone in the house last night - with the a/c on 68 and guess what I was HOT!!! That's just crazy!

Which brings me to a funny story (and hence the title of the blog)...so, after school was over in May and before I started my job, I made a quick trip to see Matt.  Well, when I was up there, I noticed the a/c was not so much working (on Day 2) - now in Matt's defense he was correct, it was still blowing air...however, the air was HOT!!!!  Well, I caught on right away (one should not be shocked by this) - and my thought was freon (b/c everything was blowing correctly) -- well Matt had to work and I was at his apartment so that left me with the fix it man - whose name I think is Frank (really nice guy).  Anyways, he said he'd get the a/c guy there right away.  So the a/c guy came in and had to go to the roof to look at the unit...and sure enough, I was right..."bone dry" is what he called it...and it took almost 8 lbs. of freon..and then GLORIOUS GLORIOUS a/c was blowing...So, as I sit here this morning researching if our client sufficiently notified an insurance company about a accident as per mandatory obligations (which 1. I have no clue what the answer is and 2 can't seem to find an answer, anywhere) I've decided...I've miss my calling...

My point here though is to tell you about one of my Christmas presents (from Matt, and not, not my Tiffany's necklace)...rather, my precious BLUE BLANKET!!! See, lucky for me, Matt embraces my love of the a/c and his rise in utility bills when I come to town.  Let me explain, I'm odd.  And yes, that too should not come as a shock to anyone who reads this.  I love the a/c but i like to be bundled up in it.  Make sense? Probably not, but hey, it's what I do.  I love to have the a/c on and still be cold a need a blanket - I'm sure most people would just turn the a/c off or up, but not me - I say leave that bad boy on and hand me a blanket.  Well, Matt has a full bed, which is fine to sleep in but the situation with the covers is well...a situation.  It seems I'm not the only one who likes to bundle up (course I think Matt is doing it b/c I make the room too cold and otherwise he wouldn't - but that's neither here, nor there).  Anyways, I decided I get the comforter and he gets the small fleece blanket he had (I know, I'm a giver.)  Well, surprise - surprise when I drove up for Christmas.  A band new king size soft fleece blanket was on the bed and was ALL MINE!!!! It was fantastic! So yes, on went the a/c and by the end of the hour, I was cuddled up in my blue blanket sleeping off the drive to VA and the stress from taking finals while Matt when to get salads for dinner! I still use my blue blanket every night (I take it on trips too) and it's GREAT!!! However, I know I won't be needing it at work today!!! Ha! Ha! 

Here's hoping everyone stays cool today and able to bundle up in their blue blankets!!

Also....one countdown is OVER (see previous post for this to make sense)!!!!! CONGRATS to Matt who finished up with his last overnight campers yesterday at 3:30!!!! I was giving him hourly texts to let him know how much time he had left in the camp work day and by 5 his time I was getting a call saying he was on his way home!!! Woo-hoo!!!! All he has left is one more camp (starting Monday and ending on Thursday) but it is Day Camp, so not nearly all the stress that comes with having kiddos spend the night on a college campus! He has 4 days of "freedom" where he has a little bit or work to do, but I'm guessing a whole lot of Playstation and Blue Moon!

3...2...1...

It's funny, as I talked to Matt this morning on the phone, I realized one thing we definitely have in common even so many miles away...COUNTDOWNS!!! I mean try as I might to get him to learn to love lists (ex. a list before going to the grocery store, a daily to-do list) and try as he might to get me to learn to love sleeping in and western movies - we don't disagree when it comes to countdowns.  Therefore, I thought I would let everyone know what we are counting down too, both separately and jointly.

Me:

Last day of work July 31:  17 days (work days)

Day when car is repaired from July 2nd accident: Geico, if you are reading this call and tell me!

Matt:

Last day of last overnight camp: 2 days (ends Wednesday @ 3:30 - he has it down to hours)

Last day of summer basketball camps:  9 days (July 17th, the day campers last day)

Together:

Day when we see each other again: 23 days (woo-hoo for August 1st)

oh yeah, and of course the big day...(that's right we've set a date!)

WEDDING DAY:  396 days (August 9th, 2009)