Scattered Update

It's been almost 3 full months since I've written. So much is unfolding in the next 2 weeks. My bridal shower is Saturday morning - thrown my 4 of my incredible friends, Angela, Brittany, Shannon, and Renee. Thank you ladies in advance. I know I was painfully resistant to being celebrated at first, but I know it will be beautifully executed and I am looking forward to our time together. As we get closer and closer to our ceremony, so much races through my mind. I'm not obsessing with the details of the wedding itself, and I simply cannot wait to be Mrs. Johnston and marry the love of my life, but it's funny how unexpected thoughts have made an appearance. Reflections of family, friends both present and past, and how different this day will look than how I would have ever imagined it say, ten or even five years ago. Priorities shift and change the older I get - reassessing what is truly important to me, my new little family, and our future. Pondering such things as the loss of my father, Craig Tyler. The gain of a step-son, Tyler Daniel - sharing not only my Dad's middle name, but also my paternal grandfather's and my brother's. What an amazing blessing he has been! He asked me last week if he should call me "mom" or "Emily"...Danny and I both told him to call me whatever he would feel most comfortable calling me. So, he came up with "Momily"...total perfection :) Love that kid! Side story: Last night when I got home he spotted me through the windows of the garage door and ran all the way through the house to greet me at the front door exclaiming, "Momily, Momily, Momily!" After he leaped like a monkey into my arms for a hug, he informed me that tomorrow is 'take your child to work' day and asked if he could come with me to the shop! He had been waiting all day to ask me. So for the first half of the day today, I had a little assistant at the boutique! As far as the wedding details go, there really aren't many, other than the fact that we are choosing to go away for our wedding ceremony - "elope" if you will. My motto is "no fluff." We want the significance of the day, the moment, and the commitment to be first and foremost, so nothing is lost in the fluff or show of it. We've chosen a day that has particular meaning to us and a beautiful, intimate destination and other than that - we're going for it! I've talked to so many women who said their wedding days were so stressful (not to mention expensive) and looking back, they wish they would have either done something much smaller or just gone away because the day went by in a flash and was just a distant blur in their memory. So, I listened to all of these women - young, old, strangers, and friends alike, and we decided to heed their advice and just elope! We are calling it an "elopement," but leaving it open to any of our friends or family that want to come. Our destination is a day's drive, so we don't expect anyone to actually make the trip, however. We're planning a local dinner party this summer to celebrate with our very closest friends and family. We'll have video and pictures too, so no one feels like they missed out on anything - and don't worry...the pictures will make an appearance on here when they're ready! Overall, we are very excited for this season of our lives! The countdown has begun and I look forward to becoming Mrs. Johnston - taking it all in, one day at a time and savoring each moment. I feel full and blessed and my cup runneth over.