September 21st Jermaine emailed me and asked me to go on a top secret
mission for him. See he was, well and still is, dating my roommate
Rebecca. The top secret mission was to find out Rebecca's ring size and
what kind of engagement ring she wanted. Being that I love them both,
and I love them together I was more than willing to accept the mission.
It took me a few weeks to find the right time, but eventually, while
Jermaine was in Scotland, I found an opportunity to work the critical
questions into a conversation with Rebecca. Ironically we had actually
talked about rings before, but I could not for the life of me remember
what size she was.
On Saturday, October 17th he took her to
Destin to look at fish just to provide an opportunity to sneak an outfit
he bought her into the house. Later he led her on a treasure hunt with
Ashley that ended at Alys Beach. Jermaine met Rebecca when Ashley
dropped her off, covered her eyes and led her down to the beach. On the
beach was written "Rebecca will you marry me?" She said yes, and they
have set the date for May 8th, 2010. (Check out this "feature" of their
engagement on the Alys Beach blog - http://tiny.cc/uB3DZ )
November
7th Rebecca and her bridesmaids, Ashley, Mandy and I, loaded up in the
car for a mini road trip to Tallahassee for some dress shopping. We
were meeting Rebecca's Mom there and Ashley, the matron of honor, had a
whole day planned. The memories began before we even got on the
interstate. If you're lucky, and you ask Ashley and I nicely we may
reenact the Whattaburger bee scenario. It was just the beginning of a
fun filled day of bonding and doting on the bride-to-be! We cranked the
music and sang along with everything from 80s to country and everything
in between.
As most girls, Rebecca has been dreaming
about her wedding since she was a kid. We've had wedding magazines in
our house since long before Jermaine proposed. She had in mind what
kind of dress she would like and what kind she wouldn't. One dress in
particular she was in love with. When we got to David's Bridal she sat
down with the consultant and picked out dresses she wanted to try on.
Her Mom, and all of us bridesmaids, agreed that she should try on the
one she really loved last. We figured unless it looked absolutely
terrible she would stop looking as soon as she tried it on. So she
tried on several dresses, all of which were nice, but none were "the
one." I've been dress shopping with enough brides, and watched enough
episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress" that I know when a girl knows the
dress is "the one."
Rebecca's consultant had to step away to
help another bride and her manager came to help instead. Rebecca gave
her the quick run down of what she liked and what she didn't like and
the manager went in search of a few more dresses. A few minutes later
we could overhear the manager saying, "I want you to know I was
listening to what you said, but I want you to try this dress. If you
don't like it we'll stick with the styles you like." A few moments
later Rebecca walked out in a beautiful dress. It didn't take long to
realize it was "the one!" We were all teary eyed and could see her
walking down the aisle in that dress. Just to be sure she then tried on
the dress she had loved from the magazine. Though it was still
beautiful, she decided it wasn't "the one." The other dress was!
Rebecca
experienced the same thing I watched Gena experience almost 12 years
ago. She fell for a dress that was nothing she ever thought she
wanted.
Over the next few days I pondered this scenario. How
many brides have gone in with one dress in mind and ended up with
something totally different? More than that... how often does that
happen in our lives? There have been so many times I have thought a
situation would "fit me perfectly" only to discover it wasn't at all
what I was looking for. On the other hand there have been situations
where I became friends with someone that I thought I would be too
different for me to really enjoy. Instead I discovered that I really
enjoyed them and am now grateful to have them in my life.
I've
always loved to sing. As a kid I would stand on our fireplace hearth
and dance and sing along with Kids Inc. (Shout out if you remember that
show...) When I was in 3rd grade I started taking voice and piano
lessons at my school. Then we moved from West Virginia to Florida for a
year. When we came back, though I returned to the same school, I didn't
start back up lessons. It wasn't until I was in High School, after we
moved to Ohio, that I started taking lessons again. I was in the youth
choir, but my Mom really wanted me to start taking lessons again. I
resisted. I was afraid the teacher would turn me into an opera singer,
and that's not what I wanted! I eventually gave in. I think my Mom
pretty much told me to try it and if I really hated it I could quit.
Well, I ended up not really hating it. I took lessons all through High
School and loved every minute of it. Along with my lessons I continued
to be a part of the youth choir and took choir at my school.
I
know that I would not be where I am in regards to my singing abilities
if my Mom hadn't pushed me to try something that I thought wasn't what I
was looking for. I went from being quiet as a church mouse to
confident in the gift God gave me. I went from a face in the choir to
an assistant worship leader. All because I gave in and tried something I
didn't think I would like.
How often do we limit ourselves, or
put God in a box because we think we know how things should be? What
opportunities do we miss because we think we won't like something or
someone? I'm trying to take on the mantra that I will try anything
once. (Obviously within reason.) I might find I really enjoy something
or someone, or I might realize it wasn't really a fit for me after
all.
We never know when "not my style" is waiting just around the corner and is really "the one."
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