Some Details...

Someone emailed me the other day and said she feels like reading this blog right now is like reading a book. Boy if that's true, and this would have been a college assignment, I'd be receiving a big fat F in "flow." I'm all OVER the place! I really am sorry but I'm scrambling to try to tell everyone everything they need to know.

So today, I thought I'd tell you some of the wedding details, because y'all, I AM SO STINKING EXCITED TO GET MARRIED!!!!

First things first. Let's talk about the date. Wanna? December 2!! Oh my word, people! That is in 44 days!!!! Yes, December 2 of this year. The reason I haven't had time to catch up with everyone personally is because I've been running around picking people up off the floor when they find out how fast it is.

Of course the next question is always either "Why so soon?" or... "Is that date significant?" Well, the why so soon is because, bottom line, we know marriage is what God has for us, and because we really hate saying goodbye at night. Why keep dragging that out if we don't have to? We're in our 30's, we know, and we see no reason to wait for the sake of waiting. The date is significant to us, but I think I'm going to just leave it at that for now. Maybe someday I'll dive into that story publicly. For now, it's one of our sacred things.

After I pick everyone up from sharing the date, they typically fall right back over when I tell them where the wedding is taking place. We decided to get married on the beach in Florida.

Shut. Up.

I know some people aren't very happy with our decision to go away - because it makes it virtually impossible for most of our friends and even some of our family to attend. So (friends and family, LISTEN UP!) please hear this: we are not doing that on purpose to be mean or rob you of the joy of celebrating with us. Seriously.

It was always my secret dream to get married on a beach, but let me tell ya (if you're not from the fine Hoosier state) - we just don't have them here. I knew everyone would expect me to do the traditional thing and have a big church wedding here with everyone, so I killed my dream.

But as the song says Then when He's certain it's not born of man...He calls for the fire to rekindle again...and He asks me to know in my heart what's not seen with my eyes...and the dream never dies. One day (before the proposal, but after we knew we would get married) I was at work, and I just had this overwhelming sense in my heart that we should go away to get married. Away to a beach. Away to the water where I hear God so clearly. Away where it's sacred and just us. I told Lynne all about it and she got the warmest smile on her face and said, "You should talk to Ryan about it."

Just a few minutes later, he texted me and said, "Hey I have some thoughts about our wedding. I talked to David (that's his boss) about them and he thinks they're good ideas. Can't wait to tell you about them later."

After work I called him, practically before I got to my car and said, "So tell me!" He said, "I think we should go away and get married on the beach."

When two of us who never spoke of these plans aloud to the other felt pressed to do the same thing on the same day - I call it a God-print.

So we made plans to go away - to the beach - to get married. A handful of people are coming with us - not because they are extra chosen or we love them more or anything - but just because it's worked out for them to be the ones to go (something I believe is also God-ordained).

When we come back....we'll plan what we've named the "Shaffer Reception Plus." I don't know all the details yet, so obviously I can't tell you what they are, but I can tell you this: There will be food. There will be a wedding video to watch (collectively...not like it's playing in the background). There will be some elements that we would have used in a big, traditional church wedding if we'd had one. We will wear our wedding attire so everyone can see it. We will celebrate with ALL of you who would have come to our wedding here (had there been one).

And just one more thing - and then I'll stop because this is way too long for one day. Last summer, I was so honored to be a bridesmaid in my friend Olivia's wedding. I loved being part of her day. I did NOT love standing in front of 250 (or however many) people on a hot day in heels. The minute I got to the front of the church, I kicked off my shoes, grabbed the side of the piano for stability and spent the wedding praying I wouldn't pass out from nerves. I did pause to enjoy the vows and the kiss but missed most of the rest because crowds just make me SO NERVOUS.

And y'all, this is my wedding day. I want to enjoy every detail of the day I pledge my life to Ryan. And I know I'll enjoy it a lot more on a beach, breathing in sea air with my toes digging into the sand. It is no less a wedding because it's taking place away from here. It's no less special because it's small. It's no less meaningful because it's not the rigid script I once planned. It's our wedding day. We love it. We can't wait.