This weekend I did something really… odd. I flew from Nashville at 6:10 a.m. to Denver. After a four-hour flight delay, I picked up my friend Sarah. We drove 45 minutes, grabbed a rental car, then drove another three hours to Steamboat Springs. All this in order to attend the wedding of someone I have never met, at least not in person — the infamous Taylor of The Daily Tay.
Let me back up. Taylor and I talk daily. We both work for ourselves and both deal with the ups and downs of the “blog world.” She is my confidante in business and in blogging. I sincerely don't know what I would do if I couldn't talk to her about the stress involved.
When she invited me to her wedding, I immediately decided to go. I walked into my husband's office (we both work from home), handed him the invite, and said, so I am closer to Taylor than most people in this world. I must go. He agreed, “You only talk about Taylor every day. You have to go.”
Michael couldn't come. Unfortunately his mom is very ill and he needed to be with her in Dallas. So, I asked Sarah if she wouldn't mind doing all of the above traveling and attend a wedding where she wouldn't know anyone, not even the bride. She said yes. If that's not a good friend, I don't know what is.
When Sarah and I checked into the hotel we had exactly 14 minutes to get ready before racing to get to the wedding on time. We did not get there on time. We arrived two minutes late. I hated that the first time Taylor saw me in the flesh would be when I tried to creep in behind some wedding attendants to find our seats.
But I didn't care, I was thrilled to watch my friend get married in this beautiful, fairytale setting. Just look:
The wedding was absolutely stunning. The backdrop of mountains, with a soft breeze coming off the lake was idyllic. And the affection for the bride and groom was palpable. The white tents strung with lights sparkled over the colorful floral bouquets centering each table. The “Harlow,” a signature drink of grape juice and vodka, was a nod to their beloved dog.
Taylor dazzled in a perfect, made-for-her lace dress with rhinestone belt. Her bridesmaids each picked their own champagne colored, full-length frocks. The groomsmen wore navy which looked great against the lush mountain scenery. They said their own vows (as we all laughed) under a colorful flower canopy.
Delicious dinner, drinks flowing, and everyone dancing. But what floored me was the obvious adoration for the bride and groom. I found myself tearing up during speeches, nodding along to tales of Taylor's t-shirt tribulations and keeping up with Harlow.
No doubt these two started their marriage surrounded by loving support. That was evident on Saturday.
So, you might be wondering, did I feel weird? Not at all. I was seated with Taylor's “comedy friends” — all born performers who helped her sister/maid-of-honor nail her speech-turned-serenade, about Chris and Taylor. It was epic.
I felt right at home introducing myself to her family and friends who welcomed me with open arms. Most of all, I felt like I was meeting someone I've known forever, finally, for the first time.
I could not imagine a more perfect wedding. I think everyone there would agree. I felt so honored just to be there, and grateful to have a chance to meet the person I talk to on a daily basis before leaving the country indefinitely.
I guess my lesson in this is to just go for it. Do something that feels a little off or puts you out of your comfort zone. It's totally worth it.
Now, on to the next wedding of the week! I'm in Denver for one of my oldest and best friend's nuptials in Denver. I love love.
