Because This Is What I Do for a Living

Mom had mentioned that YS had called with a number of questions--probably all things that start running through one's head at the outset of planning a wedding, the kind of questions (or amount thereof) that get a person a bit anxious.  When Older Brother got married a few year ago, there were a few awkward moments (not to mention a misworded invitation and a disgruntled phone call or two)--things I'm sure YS wants to avoid.  She's also the kind of person who wants to be fair to everybody, most likely the result of her experiences at all the weddings she's attended.

In my experience as a librarian, information often calms people down, so I ordered a couple of books to be shipped to her home.  One was a book on etiquette, and the other was a companion planner.  I know, everybody keeps stuff on their smartphones now and there are apps for all sorts of things (and technology is addressed in the etiquette book), but nothing helps you see the big picture better than laying it all out physically and in an orderly manner.

Then I got nervous, that I was imposing my own opinions on her and/or implying she didn't know what she was doing, so when I mailed her sparkly little engagement card (with $ towards manicure maintenance, such a must), I wrote that I was sending her some books and if they weren't right for her I'd be fine with her exchanging them for whatever she wanted.

Friday night, after I'd texted her about something else, she wrote back, "Hey! Thanks for the books! They arrived today."  

I hope they'll head off some of the planning headaches.  

Sounds as if she's enjoying herself right now and that's really good to hear.

  

Because I Am So New to This. . .

. . . or so deprived--I honestly can't tell which--it didn't occur to me that anyone I told at work today would demand to see a photo of the engagement ring on my cell phone.

I just got charged $0.25 for e-mailing the photo to my phone.  Gotta love modern times.

Oh, well, she's worth it. 

Sentences You Never Thought You'd Say, Ever

As my parents and I were finishing up dinner at their house, the phone rang.  I'd linked the Caller ID on their TV, so my dad read it and called out, "You can pick it up!"  I was the closest one to the kitchen phone as I'd been clearing some of the dinner dishes.  

It was Dad's first cousin, one of the closest of the few relatives we know on my dad's side.  She is YS's godmother, in fact.  She and her husband had been doing maintenance at their NJ shore house for the weekend, and they came home to a very special phone message from YS. 

We chatted for a bit, and then I passed the phone over to Mom for congratulations.  They talked for little while--they both have experience as Mothers of the Groom.  Mom admitted, "The only thing I'm dreading is having to look for a dress."  Then she laughed and said, "Of course, I just got rid of all my Spanx because I thought, 'Well, I don't need these for anything!'"

"I think a special occasion calls for new Spanx anyway, Mom," I assured her.

And then we all laughed pretty hard at that.

    

And So It Begins

She got a powder pink manicure the next morning.

Last night started off as the usual for me--got off work, went home and took a quick nap, went to the gym, and then came home to make dinner.  While I was cooking, it occurred to me that I needed to text my Younger Sister to advise her she might get a strange phone call Saturday morning.  This weekend is her birthday, and I had managed to win a "character call" from Monsters Inc. as the result of a promotion in a package of juice boxes I'd purchased for my sixth-graders.  (I know--so random.)  The character "Boo" has a strong resemblance to her as a child, and she also has a fondness for PIXAR films.

It seemed a little uncharacteristic of her to respond so enthusiastically (and effusively) to my message, but it was after 9 p.m. and I figured she might have started celebrating her birthday, so I didn't think much of it.

About ten minutes later, my home phone rang.*  I looked at the Caller ID and it was Younger Sister's cell number.  I thought to myself, "Jeez, she's dying of curiosity about the mystery phone call and can't wait until tomorrow morning? Isn't she doing anything more interesting with her evening?"

Me: (Laughing) Hello?

YS: (Sing-songy) I got something shiny for my birthday. . .

Me: (Nothing but a HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL which I'm sure bothered all the dogs in the building)

Yes, YS's Boyfriend had set her up for a proposal under the guise of a fancy birthday dinner. . . and even The Question was hidden in what looked like a birthday card!

Pretty slick.

After I screamed, I was able to get a couple of words out as she told me how it all went down.  I could tell she was happy as she talked with me.  She even said she cried--and then continued to cry off and on during dinner--which is really unusual for her.  If you know your Zodiac you'd say she's a typical Taurus in that she usually keeps her emotions close to the vest.  The man who can get happy tears out of her is a keeper, for sure.

Of course, I knew he was a keeper the first time he came for Thanksgiving, and very late that night after all the company had left, I walked into my parents' TV room and there he was, dangling a string patiently for my parents' very timid, not-very bright cat.  The mere fact that the cat had come over to a big, muscle-y English guy in the first place was astonishing.**
 

But what an exciting night it was, Friday evening, just to hear the happiness in her voice.  I wanted so badly to hop several states over to hug her and fuss over the ring--and take her for a manicure.  I got to do that for my now-Sister-in-Law after Older Brother proposed.

And that's honestly all the envy I have--that her friends down where she lives get to witness all the early thrills and conversations and plans firsthand.  I was among the first called; they waited to change their facebook statuses until this afternoon (probably a wise move so they had time together before the frenzy).  And I know all her married friends (and probably my SIL) will be able to offer all sorts of opinions and wisdom that I know nothing of.  

I might even be mentioned as an "older model" that's "still on the market" like Jennifer Aniston's Beth at her sister's wedding in the movie version of He's Just Not That Into You***.

Even so, regardless of where she lives or who else is close to her, I know I matter to her and she's always going to be my sister--something no one else can claim. Maybe all this stuff will bring us closer.  

And it remains to be seen how all the things in the future with their wedding and married life will play out, and I couldn't begin to speculate on all that--or be anxious about it, for that matter.   

I say that now.  This blog may bear that out. . . or catch me in my moments of weakness.  Or both.

In any event, it's going to be an interesting ride.  You're welcome to go along with me--keep reading. 
    

*Don't judge me--I make a lot of local calls!
**Real men have a soft spot for cats. It's true
***Again, please don't judge me.  I kind of like Jen.