“White lace and promises.
~ lyrics from We’ve Only Just Begun.”
A kiss for luck and we’re on our way.”
There is a reason why I never chose to be an events planner. One daughter, one wedding, and feeling like the orchestrator of logistics for the Normandy Beach invasion is more than enough for me. Even in the best of circumstances, navigating the seemingly endless decisions to be made with your future son-in-law’s family can be fraught with strong opinions and high emotions. I have been surfing the waves of love and happiness punctuated by undercurrents of panic, loss, intimidation, loss of control, and fear. Let’s add an overlay of many strong opinions about the beef and fish, the hotel venue and the music list, the wedding registry, and the post-wedding brunch. I’ve turned into “Switzerland”, as I wear my hat of diplomacy. I am really trying to find the lessons to be learned here.
Lesson One: It is so much better to bring a gift and be a guest.
The truth is that this is an enormous transition for everyone involved. My daughter is marrying a wonderful man who happens to be a Special Forces Green Beret. He has achieved the amazing feat of becoming one of the three percent of trainees who make it through the grueling Special Forces training to graduation, and yet, I am fearful for both of them. My daughter will be moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado to live with her beloved, and it feels so very far away. And I know from experience that sometimes life has the power to knock us down when we least expect it. It’s now my daughter’s turn to face life’s challenges, learn to get up and pull from her own resources and upbringing. I can now only support from the sidelines.
When I had a health challenge years ago, I was afraid I wouldn’t get to see my daughter find love and get married. With wedding drama notwithstanding, I am so grateful to be present for this moment that it brings me to tears. All I need to do is think of my daughter in her wedding gown and I’m bawling. I know that in the end, after all of the deposits and fees have been handed over to all of the vendors (just call me “The Bank of America”), I plan on having a very stiff drink, and raise my glass high to toast the newlyweds. With gusto, I will cheer, “L’Chaim. To life!”… and to wherever their life‘s journey takes them …together.
~Fran
5 of My Favorite Quotes About Love:
- “Let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it be rather a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” — Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
- “If I know what love is, it is because of you.” — Hermann Hesse
- “Some people are worth melting for.” — Olaf, Frozen
- “You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known and even that is an understatement.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald
- “Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be.” —Robert Browning
5 of My Favorite Funny Wedding Movies:
When all else fails, you just have to laugh. These movies always do the trick.
- Meet the Parents, with Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, and Blythe Danner
- Father of the Bride, with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Diane Keaton
- My Big Fat, Greek Wedding, with Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, and Michael Constantine
- When Harry Met Sally, with Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, and Carrie Fisher
- Moonstruck, with Cher, Olympia Dukakis, and Nicholas Cage
5 of My Favorite Jokes about Partnerships:
- Wife: Do you want dinner?
Husband: Sure, what are my choices?
Wife: Yes and no. - It’s been ten years since the invisible man married the invisible woman. Their kids are nothing to look at either.
- Never laugh at your partner’s choices. Remember: they also chose you. Cheers!
- Well, what can I tell you about the groom? I’ve known him for about 10 years, he’s handsome, intelligent, witty, and charismatic. Sorry, wrong wedding.
- Wife: “Our new neighbor always kisses his wife when he leaves for work. Why don’t you do that?”
Husband: “How can I? I don’t even know her.”
September 2022
September 5, 2022
Advanced Communication Skills for the Experienced Leader: Session
One. AAIE
September 7-9, 2022
Leadership and Coaching Training. North Little Rock, AK
September 12, 2022
Principal Training Site Visits. Arlington Public Schools, VA
September 13, 2022
Principal Training Site Visits. Arlington Public Schools, VA
September 14-16, 2022
Leadership and Coaching Training. North Little Rock, AK
September 20, 2022
Women in Leadership Training. Ohio Association for School Administrators
September 21-23, 2022
Principal Training. North Little Rock, AK
September 26, 2022
Rosh Hashanah
September 27, 2022
Advanced Communication Skills for the Experienced Leader: Session Two. AAIE
September 28, 2022
Principal Training Site Visits. Arlington Public Schools, VA
September 29-30, 2022
Principal Leadership Training. Arlington Public Schools, VA