My daughter got married 2 weeks ago. Learning to stay in my lane was soo freeing. Seeing how happy and in love they were on that day was magical. And crying over the preview photos!!!
KAREN! Congratulations!! Yes, it really is freeing, isn't it??? Especially when we can adjust our focus to be on THEM and not US!! Oh I'm so happy for you!!!
I definitely enjoyed being the mother of the groom twice. I'm also thankful neither was a destination wedding. Sometimes we just thrive better when there are fewer unknowns to plan for. :-)
Amy, I loved your reflections (I would add they are good for all parents, not just mothers of grooms or brides). I also loved your ziploc upgrades. I have considered matching ones because I use a random selection of nice little bags but they’re included more for size than uniformity in look. Hmmm.
I loved reading your reflections. I love my packing cubes but now want them monogrammed. My bad influence friend! Ha. I will keep all this in mind when it’s my turn in the somewhat distant future. Xo
LOL I also have another (unmonogrammed) compression set I also really like. Since I had a checked bag for this trip, I did a packing cube combo to squeeze it all in.
I loved this reflection. I have newly “adultish” children and learning to lean back and let them make their choices is an art form I’m still learning. Twice as hard when there’s a wedding involved!
Would you mind sharing some of the restaurants your girls found in Paris? Heading there next month.
Hi Alysha! YES, it is hard letting them make their own choices. But how do they learn without making (hopefully not horrible) mistakes? Our Paris dinners were ... good. Not AMAZING. That was Amsterdam. However, these spots came highly recommended: Bouillon Pigalle (we went to the Republique one but the Pigalle one is supposed to be better), Le Machon D'Henri (my coworkers LOVE — tiny and run by husband and wife traditional French fare). Also, Le Paris Paris in St. Germain. HAVE SO MUCH FUN.
I’m curious how it was not drinking at the wedding? Even though I’m 5 years in to sobriety (I think we’re close on when we quit) I always fast forward to the kids weddings and wonder. You were probably so present and it was probably even better as a result.
Hi Liz! You know, it was kinda hard at first. But maybe more being in Paris than the fact that it was my son's wedding. I think some of the romance of Paris is visions of sitting at a cafe sipping wine or glasses of champagne at dinner. I had to let go of that "romance" and just focus on the things that brought me joy: lattes, hot chocolate, endless bottles of sparkling water. And when I woke up every morning feeling like I'd been punched in the face by the time difference, I was SO GLAD I wasn't also battling a hangover (which I most certainly would have had where I still drinking). Bottom line: I did it, felt the tiniest bit sorry for myself but then (after rolling the mental videotape) was grateful to be sober and yes, you're right, so present for it all.
It was really great watching this event unfold through social media. Having one groom done, and another upcoming, I 100% agree with 1) there will be a moment (actually a few for me) - it just hits with no warning, at a few points throughout the planning and celebrations … they were just there, no special reason, no special part of the scripted events, just a time when the overwhelming sense of joy happens …. My suggestion, just breathe, take them in and let them happen… if you’re so focused of what didn’t happen or didn’t go well I guarantee you will miss them . . . .and 2) don’t obsess over the details- your expectations of some things won’t be met and other things will exceed them wildly… so enjoy them, they all balance out at the end.
Here, here, Rob! In my experience, it's my EXPECTATIONS that always mess me up. And maybe, since I didn't really know what to expect for this wedding (since it was kind of out-of-the-box), I came home floating on all the happiness I felt. And, yes, it really matters where we direct our energy and choose to see the good and not what could have been better. Life is good! I got to eat cake with the Eiffel Tower looming in the distance and watching my kid slow dance with the woman he loves. CHEERS! xo
My daughter got married 2 weeks ago. Learning to stay in my lane was soo freeing. Seeing how happy and in love they were on that day was magical. And crying over the preview photos!!!
KAREN! Congratulations!! Yes, it really is freeing, isn't it??? Especially when we can adjust our focus to be on THEM and not US!! Oh I'm so happy for you!!!
I definitely enjoyed being the mother of the groom twice. I'm also thankful neither was a destination wedding. Sometimes we just thrive better when there are fewer unknowns to plan for. :-)
LOL all my unknowns were inhibiting my thriving. ;) And you are a seasoned MOG expert! xo
Amy, I loved your reflections (I would add they are good for all parents, not just mothers of grooms or brides). I also loved your ziploc upgrades. I have considered matching ones because I use a random selection of nice little bags but they’re included more for size than uniformity in look. Hmmm.
Yes! That was another appeal of this fancy Ziploc set — they were good upgrade to the random little bags I'd use. Also, they're see through!! xo
I loved reading your reflections. I love my packing cubes but now want them monogrammed. My bad influence friend! Ha. I will keep all this in mind when it’s my turn in the somewhat distant future. Xo
LOL I also have another (unmonogrammed) compression set I also really like. Since I had a checked bag for this trip, I did a packing cube combo to squeeze it all in.
I loved this reflection. I have newly “adultish” children and learning to lean back and let them make their choices is an art form I’m still learning. Twice as hard when there’s a wedding involved!
Would you mind sharing some of the restaurants your girls found in Paris? Heading there next month.
Also your dress choices were Parisian perfection!
Hi Alysha! YES, it is hard letting them make their own choices. But how do they learn without making (hopefully not horrible) mistakes? Our Paris dinners were ... good. Not AMAZING. That was Amsterdam. However, these spots came highly recommended: Bouillon Pigalle (we went to the Republique one but the Pigalle one is supposed to be better), Le Machon D'Henri (my coworkers LOVE — tiny and run by husband and wife traditional French fare). Also, Le Paris Paris in St. Germain. HAVE SO MUCH FUN.
I’m curious how it was not drinking at the wedding? Even though I’m 5 years in to sobriety (I think we’re close on when we quit) I always fast forward to the kids weddings and wonder. You were probably so present and it was probably even better as a result.
Hi Liz! You know, it was kinda hard at first. But maybe more being in Paris than the fact that it was my son's wedding. I think some of the romance of Paris is visions of sitting at a cafe sipping wine or glasses of champagne at dinner. I had to let go of that "romance" and just focus on the things that brought me joy: lattes, hot chocolate, endless bottles of sparkling water. And when I woke up every morning feeling like I'd been punched in the face by the time difference, I was SO GLAD I wasn't also battling a hangover (which I most certainly would have had where I still drinking). Bottom line: I did it, felt the tiniest bit sorry for myself but then (after rolling the mental videotape) was grateful to be sober and yes, you're right, so present for it all.
Thank you for sharing this amazing milestone journey!
Hi Helene! Thank you so much for following along! I am so grateful. :) xo
It was really great watching this event unfold through social media. Having one groom done, and another upcoming, I 100% agree with 1) there will be a moment (actually a few for me) - it just hits with no warning, at a few points throughout the planning and celebrations … they were just there, no special reason, no special part of the scripted events, just a time when the overwhelming sense of joy happens …. My suggestion, just breathe, take them in and let them happen… if you’re so focused of what didn’t happen or didn’t go well I guarantee you will miss them . . . .and 2) don’t obsess over the details- your expectations of some things won’t be met and other things will exceed them wildly… so enjoy them, they all balance out at the end.
Here, here, Rob! In my experience, it's my EXPECTATIONS that always mess me up. And maybe, since I didn't really know what to expect for this wedding (since it was kind of out-of-the-box), I came home floating on all the happiness I felt. And, yes, it really matters where we direct our energy and choose to see the good and not what could have been better. Life is good! I got to eat cake with the Eiffel Tower looming in the distance and watching my kid slow dance with the woman he loves. CHEERS! xo