Where Does the Time Go?

How did it become December 31? In just 118 days, I get to marry the most wonderful man I've ever met. I get to build a home with him, start a family with him, and giggle with him every single day for the rest of my life. What an honor!!

In these past few months, much has happened. I was "off the grid" for a while due to the High Holy Days (professional hazard), and then Seth had a much-needed medical procedure. After that, his parents threw us a GINORMOUS engagement party here on Long Island in early December (I'll post some pics soon). And, somehow, it is now almost 2013.

I've always witnessed the drama of wedding planning from the outside. Being the rabbi, and counseling so many couples, I have heard so many stories of family histrionics and upheaval related to the nuptials. This has allowed me to understand all of it rationally, but now, for the first time, it is MY life that gets thrown a loop each time something (or someONE) happens. Crazy how the emotions get involved, no?

So, I'm learning a lot - about the kind of woman I want to be, the kind of wife I want to be, the kind of family I want to start, etc. I am learning when to put my foot down about something, and when to bend. It is fascinating to be given the opportunity to determine what is REALLY and TRULY important to you, and what just isn't.

We have a shower coming up in three weeks, bridesmaids' dresses have been ordered, and bachelorette party plans are taking shape. It's all so exciting, and I am loving every moment (even the learning experiences).

Can't wait to start 2013 - the YEAR OF OUR WEDDING!!

8 Months to Go!!

Well, holy moly! Thanks to an email from The Knot, I just was told that I will be getting married in EIGHT MONTHS!!! AHHH!!!

I don't know, that seems really far away. If I had my way, I'd have married Seth yesterday. I love him so much, and I am so ready for this new chapter of our lives to begin. If I sound impatient, it's because I am (at least about this). He is so sweet, gentle, and supportive, and I know that he will make a wonderful husband and father.

I've just come back to work after a lovely vacation. Having the time off allowed me to finalize the venue, the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Illinois. While I was home two weeks ago, my mom and I did a whirlwind tour of seven venues in two and a half days. I had my heart set on the Marriott, but was more than willing to be wowed by another site. Luckily, we visited the other locations first, so by the time we got to the Marriott, we could truly appreciate all the differences.

The woman we met with, Linda, is the ONLY one who actually took time to get to know us. She wanted to hear how Seth and I met. She even wanted to hear about my brother, Adam's, upcoming wedding to Melissa in Minnesota. She wanted to know my vision, my dream wedding, and how we might create it together. I felt so cared for and truly listened to. If working with them all continues to move this smoothly, then we are in for a treat!

I also met with the florist, Tina and Dollie, LTD, and Dollie really helped me formalize my vision for the colors (RED!!!) and the flowers. Between her, my mom, and me, we realized that I've been leaning towards a more 1920's, Art Deco look. And, yes, that means there will be some feathers and pearls involved :)

The registries are pretty much done (so, THERE, Knot - we've already finished that part of the planning). We went with Bloomingdales, Target, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. The three locations allowed us to choose a heck of a lot of different items for our home, and we had so much fun envisioning what it's going to be like using them in the future.

I'm glad that such good things are already coming together - I should really go on my annual "High Holy Day Lockdown" and just focus on that for the next few weeks. I'll be able to put the wedding onto the back burner for a few weeks, knowing that so much is already falling into place!!

THE DRESS IS HERE!!!

Holy moly - my wedding dress, the dress I will wear at my wedding, the one that makes me feel like a princess and a queen at the same time, in all of its gorgeous, shiny whiteness....

IS IN MY HOUSE!!!

I keep walking past it, as it hangs on my closet door near my living room, and it gives me pause. Is it REAL? I mean, really?

(please note - it does NOT look like the graphic to the left... I just happened to like the image, and my brother always used to call me Ariel because of my singing. And my hair was somewhat red at the time).

I would, of course, include a pic of me in it for all of you, but I just can't let Seth see it yet. I really don't believe in very many superstitions, but I would like it to be a surprise.

The first fitting will be in February - I can't wait, and I hate that it will be awhile, but at least I can use this time to worry about other things. In the meantime, I will be in Chicago for a few days next week to take care of a bunch of in-person meetings (venues, florist, photog, etc).

Whoa, this is really happening!!

Identity "Crises"

Hello from camp! It's already been amazing to be here, to reunite with old friends, to make new friends, and to create new memories.

I'm experiencing an odd convergence of various aspects of my identity. I know that they don't have to be separate, per se, but I still find myself noticing the strangeness.

Here, at camp, I am -

1. Rabbi
2. Teacher
3. Friend
4. Camper
5. Bride
6. 13 year old
7. 34 year old
8. Girl
9. Woman
10. Blogger
11. Tweeter
12. Jew
13. Pop Culture Fanatic
14. Comic Book Fan
15. Singer
16. Drama Queen
17. Sister
18. Daughter

Maybe that's why I like it here? I miss Seth so much, and I think the reason why I really want him to visit me here is because he'll understand me that much more. Camp was such a HUGELY transformative experience for me, and I guess I hope that, just as Seth has loved all the other parts of me, that he will love "Camp Marci," just as easily. 

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to Camp I Go

One of the greatest privileges I have as a rabbi is the ability to go away to camp each summer. I grew up going to Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute, a Reform Jewish overnight camp in Wisconsin. I spent a number of summers there, and it was indescribably formative for me. In many ways, my summers there led to my decision to become a rabbi. I learned that Judaism could be fun, that you could live it as part of your daily life, and that it was MUCH more interesting than Hebrew School made it out to be.

I am only half-joking when I say that one of the reasons I became a rabbi was to be able to go back to camp. But, it's true - each of URJ's camps invites clergy and Jewish educators to come up for 2 week shifts to spend time with the campers, to teach, and to show them how "normal" we Jewish professionals can be.

Tomorrow, I head up to URJ's Crane Lake Camp, up in the Berkshires. I look forward to this all year, and, though it is really hard work, I enjoy every minute of my time there. The camp "magic" still works, even as an adult.

However, this year, it is a slightly more bittersweet - I will miss my darling, Seth, while I am away. We haven't yet spent this much time apart. Two weeks will feel like a long time. Luckily, with various forms of social media and communication, we will never feel far away from each other.

How do you tackle the times where you are in a "long distance" relationship?

Saving the Date

I recently got an email from my sister, and the subject line was, "??????????????????????????????"

Turns out that she was poking around my Google calendar, and she noticed that I hadn't yet saved the date of my very own wedding weekend on my calendar. HA! It's as if I had already sealed it into my own memory so well that I didn't even need to physically type it into my calendar.

And then, there's my dad - he keeps stopping in the middle of a sentence, looking at me with an extra sparkle in his eye, and then saying, "You're GETTING MARRIED?!?!" As his first child, and his first daughter, I'm sure that my wedding is hitting him in ways that I can't properly comprehend. I'm so excited, and so proud, and I can't wait to celebrate this big, special day with my family. If only the wedding was TOMORROW!!

19 Things You Should Do Before You Get Married | Thought Catalog

Just had to share this really sweet article - luckily, at my age, I think I've taken care of most of this. What about you?

19 Things You Should Do Before You Get Married | Thought Catalog