The Nest

I could talk about all that I have learned during the insane wedding planning process, such as: freaking out does no good for anyone and eventually you will find what you are looking for; read everything (especially the piece of paper that says "may require appointment"); one or both of you might get sick the weekend of your wedding (Adam picked up a cold during a business trip); and that everything will work itself out.

I could write about the boxes in our home that continue to multiply and how happy I will be to finish the thank you notes and buy a buffet for the dining room so we can, at last, put it all away.

I could write about the web cast my mother arranged so that my zayde, who was unable to fly in from Chicago, could watch the ceremony with other Chicagoans who couldn't make the trip, either.

I could write about my maid of honor flying in from Chicago and heading to Hollywood to watch Keith Urban perform on the "JImmy Kimmel Show."

But instead, I'm going to write about the magical moment that happened earlier this evening. My bubbe hosted a Shabbat dinner tonight for all of the out-of-towners and the local family. As a stood in the hotel lobby greeting and hugging my family -- I took a step back. People who hadn't seen each other since my bat mitzvah were hugging; my grandmothers were chatting with cousins; Adam's brother was explaining to my zayde's cousin who everyone was; my Sisterhood friends compared fashion styles with my mom's best friend. And I got a tear in my eye. I didn't cry -- but it was one of those "wanna have a catch" moments that even a photo couldn't capture.

Other brides have told me to be sure to stop during the wedding and look around. And it hit me -- that's what it's about. Anyone who tells you a wedding is about the material things ... the things you can buy ... is missing the point. It's like George Banks in Father of the Bride: it wasn't the damn tent and the $1,200 cake that made him happy -- it was looking at his family.Tonight, I watched my fiance, my Adam, get embraced -- literally and figuratively -- by his new family.

The next time I write this blog, I will be married. I thank everyone who took a few minutes out of their day to read about my life.

And while this tale is coming to an end ... a new tale begins.