Oh My Bridget, so many things to say, but I just want to leave you with this very important thought: This year you’ve learned to dance, to take steps, to laugh, to talk, to roll, to giggle, to eat, to cry… you’ve learned to write your own song and to make your own dance and all the while I’ve had the privilege to watch your eyes as you discovered things extraordinarily beautiful and extraordinarily terrible.  Seeing the world through your bright, blue, brilliant eyes has been nothing sort of miraculous.   I hold your first year in my heart as you carry my heart with you.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Peach.

Bridget Elizabeth Linder

Born an early riser at 5:58 in the morning, she was 7 precious pounds, 5 1/2 beautiful ounces, and 19 1/2 wonderful inches long.  Our girl entered the world – I kid you not – to the sound of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”  I still smile when I think that out of the 75 songs and over 4 hours of music on her play-list, that was her birthday background song.   As if I needed a reason to love her at first sight.

Well I thank God you came along
But you are the one
I’ve been waiting for today
And here comes the sun

…

I sat beside you and became myself
Today… today

Brand Spankin' New, 10/28/10, Photo by Soraya Hintz

The reason why I've been crying at Father-Daughter dances all season long.... Photo by Better Together Events Amateur Photography Division

2 weeks old, Photo by her Mama

5.5 weeks, Photo by Smitten Mama

First Smiles, 6.5 weeks, Photo by Katlyn Cunningham

As I reflect on the last 7 weeks, I am supremely…

Thankful for a healthy baby.

Thankful for everyone who has offered to help us with dishes, dinner, laundry and life in the last 2 months.

Thankful for the people who read my blog.

Thankful for my family – all of them.

Thankful for a husband who after working 80+ hours a week, still wants to wake up and watch the “Bridget Stretch” at 3AM.

Thankful for the occasional bits of sleep I get and for the cries and smiles that wake me up.

Thankful for my understanding clients, their friendship, and the invitation to be a part of their beautiful weddings.

I love you, Bridget Elizabeth.  Thanks for making me a Mama.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

L-O-V-E: Can’t you just feel it?  Just one of the many reasons I’m lucky to do what I do…

So Vanilla Swirl to the rescue!  As you can imagine, I’ve sampled quite a bit of wedding cakes over the years.  While I haven’t met a cake I haven’t liked, Vanilla Swirl is one of my all-time favorites.  I emailed Tina (the owner/pastry chef) to see if she could help me out with my scheming, and she agreed!

I asked her to recreate a mini-version of our wedding cake (below).

As you can see, the design was perfect and spot-on!  She even recreated the flavor of our top-tier (marble cake with chocolate ganache filling).   Mmmmmm, delicious!

Thanks, Vanilla Swirl!

• I woke up much earlier than I wanted to — the butterflies in my belly simply would not rest!
• It was an unseasonably warm and humid 90 degree day, and I had to take a breath and tell myself it would all be ok even when my curls frizzed and my makeup melted.  It was. And those fans I bought were clutch.  It comes in handy being a wedding planner when you’re the bride.
• I had breakfast with my family and got ready with my best friends and family surrounding me.  I felt overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for their love and support.
• I was a model for the day with my friends, family, and the love of my life.
• That moment that people tell you about when you’re nervous but then make eye contact and you relax and forget the rest… it’s true.
• I said I wouldn’t cry, but in the end I did…
  
• I danced to Louis and Ella and dreamed a little dream of him.  And I got spun to my 1940s/50s loving delight.
  
• We were immersed in love… it’s incredible to be surrounded by all your friends and family in one place.
• I danced like I never danced before.
• We went away in a horse and carriage, a surprise only one person could pull off.
• Despite all the wonder of the evening, it doesn’t nearly compare to our everyday life together playing Wii, dissecting Lost, discussing the merits of the area ice cream joints, arguing over Jeopardy, competing in Fantasy Baseball, and practicing our own version of happily ever after.

Golriz + Devon :: Trailer from Jeffrey Holland :: FFDC on Vimeo.

Here’s a soundtrack for the day…

xoxoxo, Laura

Anyway, today is a day where I can especially embrace my sappy side and that includes listening to Taylor Swift and browsing on Etsy.  Check out SilverMade Studio’s on Etsy for some especially sweet baubles.

Soul Mate Personalized Brass Bangle - $35

Look After My Heart Pendant - $36

Intertwine Sterling Silver Ring and Keychain - $35

Thank you to my wonderful clients – the 2010 couples who are in the last exciting stages and the 2011 ones for the fresh anticipation – for sharing their stories and letting me embrace my sappy side at least a little bit every day.