Goin to the chapel

Well, not the chapel exactly but "gonna get ma-a-a-ried!" Yes, it's true, it's official, I'm getting hitched. As Brad's and my family so eloquently put it- "Finally!" It's been 8 yrs since we met. Here's the story:

I was in my first year at Evergreen and Brad had moved to Olympia a few years before from Winona, MN to pursue music. I was doing a little music myself, writing folky tunes and singing wherever I could. A new friend told me I should hook up with a guy who was putting together a project for Bob Marley's birthday show at the 4th ave Tavern. I gave the guy, Remis a call and to my amazement (before hearing me sing) he invited me to practice with the band. So, I showed up at a strange basement studio. It was me and about five other guys, including a good looking saxophone player. I did my best to get his attention, but he was FOCUSED on the music. He seemed to really know what was going on- unlike I who fumbled around with the microphone and attempted to sing made-up words to unfamiliar tunes. Before practice ended, I got up the courage to ask the sax player if we could get together and practice again. He said yes and ultimately I survived my first real gig, pit in stomach, crush on sax player, blissed from the incredible crowd that gathered in Bob Marley's name.

Fast forward to a year or so later and Brad and I were in a band of our own, the Sideshow playing funk cover tunes, eventually cohabitating and teaching one another how to be more relaxed (me to him) and more on top of things (him to me). It's been an amazing journey. Filled with as much challenge as success, more growth than anything else. I can truly say I've never given so much of myself and gotten so much in return. So, is it really such a surprise that we've decided to marry? Well, sort of. I come from a family that believes marriage is the exception, not the rule. Really, 5 women (mom and her sisters) who were all divorced, never married, or remarried by the time their children were teens. This is not a criticism, it's just reality- my reality. I just sort of never saw myself married because I thought having a committed relationship was just the same. True? We'll see, but already I'm noticing changes. When you announce to your community you want to spend the rest of your life with your partner (this is what a marriage proposal means) it changes your relationship somehow. Now, this person you have been living with becomes the future father of your unborn children, the son-in law of your parents, the man you'll grow old and fall asleep with forever. Although these things might have happened without getting married, somehow it all seems more possible, now that you are engaged. And the best part? Brad is no longer my boyfriend- a term that lost its attraction for me back in high school. He's my fiance, soon to become (August of 08-what, what?) my hub.