Tanya and Eddie ~ The other side of happily ever after...

Viva Las Vegas!

All dolled up!

My fabulous bridesmaids treated me to my final trip as a single lady to Las Vegas! We had a grand time. Anytime we left our suite I was required to wear “bridal paraphernalia” which included a veil, 15 carat ring that lit up, a bridal button and sash, so there was no confusion as to who was the bride to be. The highlight of the trip was definitely brunch at the Bellagio! We eat to our hearts content and then walked around in the 108 degree weather and sweated the pounds off. To top it off my trip was completely paid for down to every meal I ate. I felt like a princess! God has truly blessed me with wonderful cousins and friends. Thank you ladies for everything! You all are truly the best:)

One last photo before we say good bye

Cheers to a great Brunch!

High heels and high tops: Combining two lives in one closet

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When I asked Tanya to marry me, I committed to a huge task: combining our closets. Tanya has begun making space for me for when I move in after the wedding. And I’ve been bring clothes down every now and then. But with the wedding less than a month away, I decided to really start moving.

So I filled up two suitcases with winter clothes and brought them down this weekend. As I hung up rugby shirts and folded sweaters, her house started to feel like our house in a way it hadn’t yet. It was an exciting feeling and symbolic of how we will become one unit on August 8.

And if this whole combining closets thing doesn’t work out, I have some really nice suitcases that I could live out of… (just kidding)

Breakfast with my new dad

Right after a nice breakfast with my future father-in-law.

This morning, I had a nice breakfast with my soon to be father-in-law. We had a good time just talking and enjoying some good food. It means a lot that we can sit down and just enjoy each other’s company.

I always envisioned getting along with my in-laws. And so I was happy to build a good relationship with Tanya’s family while we were dating. But it was very special that her dad embraced me. Fathers and daughters usually share a close relationship. That is definitely the case with Tanya and her dad. Having his blessing on our union has made this experience even more enjoyable. I’m excited to continue building a relationship with him.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about what we had for breakfast, you can check out the pictures (you know I had to do it) and the description on The Hungry Commuter.

Thumbs up on those invitations

Of all the details so far, I think we’ve gotten the biggest reaction to the invitations. I have to give much credit to Tanya. Her creativity was the driving force that resulted in our finished product. And we were definitely pleased with the invitations.

But we didn’t expect the strong reaction that we got.

Here are two of my favorites. One of the members at my church told me that she had received the invitation. But she said that it looked so pretty that she just couldn’t open it. Wow! We laughed (with her) about that one. I’m happy to report that she eventually did open it and she will be sharing with us at the wedding.

The second came in the form of a picture message. And since a picture is worth 1,000 words…

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All About Family!

Family is very important to both Eddie and I. We both have HUGE families that love to get together to eat, laugh and just have a great time. I am so excited for all the good times we will share on August 8th! Come with an empty stomach, dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to celebrate!!!

Bennett Family Holiday parties! Ladies represent!!! Bennett Men at the Holiday party

The women of my mom's family at Christmas Men on my moms side

The Tarvers at their Bi-annual Family Reunion NJ Tarvers!

No Stress!

Planning a wedding can be EXTREMELY stressful if you allow it to be. I’ve heard from many brides how they have gotten so stressed out with there planning process that they forgot to eat! There are stories of brides breaking out in hives, getting sick and ultimately not being able to enjoy their very special day. This is something that I wanted to avoid at all costs. As calm as I have been over the past seven months, stress has somehow found a way to sneak up on me at times. At one point, it was so bad that I completely lost my voice due to laryngitis and lost five pounds because I wasn’t eating (that part wasn’t so bad…but I’d rather do it the healthier way.) I realized that I had to do something and quickly to make sure that remainder of the planning process was enjoyable.

My dear friend and (Sister in Christ) Alexandra who recently went through the process of planning a wedding shared some great advice with me, that I think can be applied not only during wedding planning, but for life in general. She told me to ask myself a series of questions and based on the responses, I should easily be able to determine what is a priority or something to be concerned about and what is not. The questions are as follows: Will the given situation be of significance in ten seconds? Ten minutes? Ten weeks? Ten years? If the answer is ten years from now, then it probably deserves some major attention. If it will only be of importance for the next ten seconds or minutes, then there is absolutely no reason to stress over something so insignificant. It has really put things into perspective for me.

I’m back on track, eating healthy, working out and looking forward to the big day! Most importantly I’m enjoying every moment of it. After all, it only happens once in a lifetime!

Alex and I the night before her big day!

The wedding parade continues…

It seems when you hit a certain age, attending weddings becomes a recreational activity. In just under a year, Tanya and I have been to 7 weddings! And we still have one more to go to before ours.

Now that my wedding is coming, I pay attention to the details I never did before. Cake, flowers, colors…. the list goes on. So here are some pictures from some of the weddings that we’ve attended over the past few months. We were blessed to be a part of their special days and look forward to everyone participating in ours.

Krystal's sheer happiness right after tying the knot.

Weddings can reunite friends separated by life's twists and turns.

Bryan and Destiny released doves after their ceremony.

And during the reception, they had the ill Soul Train line!

Nina and Praveen actually got married in India. When they returned, they held a reception for their families and friends here in the US.

Did you really think that I wasn't going to post some food? Nina's and Praveen's cake was beautiful!

These dramatic centerpieces really added to the ambience. I told you I noticed things I never noticed before...

Jamie and Jarod with the bridesmaids. Those red dresses added color and energy.

Seema just moments before wedding her groom Gopal.

This is Seema's and Gopal's cake. I had to show you some food.

We most recently went to Atlanta for Alexandra's and Lamont's wedding. This picture will be reversed in about a month!

Bridesmaids: What makes them so special

Friends and family is what life is all about. And when I look at my bridal party, it represents that. I have shared some special moments with each of them over the years and I’m proud to have them stand with me on our special day.

Maid of Honor: Candace Duke

By thirty days she trumps me as being my “older cousin”. We are thick as thieves. She’s not only my best friend but a true sister.

Bridesmaid: Deborah Greene

Best Friend since the 10th grade and as it turns out our families have been friends for years! She is truly my sister and Best Friend Forever!

Bridesmaid: Dr. Adia Garrett-Butler

My younger cousin by two months, but has managed to graduate, marry and get her doctorate before me. Such an inspiration!

Bridesmaid: Christy Duke

Being that I am an only Child she has appointed herself as my “sister cousin” We also share in the joy of being ‘brides to be’ together!

Bridesmaid: Pauline Lugira

Met at Boston College in 1998. Developed a friendship working together in Black Student Forum and Voices of Imani Gospel Choir. Through thick and thin she is my Sister in Christ and accountability partner.

Bridesmaid: Nidhi Metha

Best friend of the groom since the 8th grade. I thought she was great from the moment I met her. Looking forward to having a “new sister”!

Bridesmaid: Brooke Sinclair

Friend and former colleague at Ortho Biotech. We were introduced by her dad cause he thought we would get along. Turns out that he was more than right! We clicked and have been great friends ever since!

Groomsmen: A Living Snapshot

It hit me spending quality time with all of my groomsmen a few weekends ago. They’re a snapshot of my life to this point. They represent different periods of my life. Each has progressed through various stages with me. Ultimately they have witnessed my evolution and shaped who I am today.

And so I am proud to present my groomsmen.

Best Man: Eric Ford

My “little” brother. Always down for whatever, whenever, no questions asked. Like when he was two and ready to fight a seven year old who took my yellow kickball. Brothers stick together. Always.

Groomsman: Keith Hemmings

Friends since the first day of 3rd grade when he forgot a pencil on the first day of class. After initially saying no, I gave him one.

Groomsman: George Conroy

Friends since 8th grade. He and I are the self-proclaimed dynamic duo.

Groomsman: Bryan Chapman

Friends since 9th grade. I propelled him to basketball stardom after ending his football career by breaking his arm. In practice.

Groomsman: Terumi Anthony Rafferty Osaki

Friends since our freshman years at Boston College where we lived on the same floor. You know how them L2 boys roll…VIP!

Groomsman: David Dundas

Friends since junior year of college when we lived in the illest 8-man suite in the history of BC. Fantasy football and Halo. And a little bit of studying…

Groomsman: Dan Mazei

Friends since we worked together at GolinHarris in 2007. We threw an epic birthday party together that will never be equalled. Ever.

Groomsman: Leon Shade

Tanya and Leon have been good friends since high school and had I known this baseball phenom turned coach then, I would have been, too.

I’m proud to have these men standing with me on August 8.

Oh, and they’re mean on the dance floor, too…

“Seek ye first…”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33, King James Version

Tanya and I selected this Bible verse to anchor our engagement period. In a broad sense, the verse reminds us of how we should lead our lives. In the context of preparing for marriage and planning a wedding, it keeps us from losing sight of the important things. We spend time each day strengthening our relationships both with God and with each other. And He has already begun to bless us. The joy from friends and family has already warmed our hearts. I know it will only increase as the wedding gets closer.

We’re glad to have this scripture as our anchor verse leading up to the wedding. And as we get closer to August 8th, it’s also becoming our testimony.

Tanya and Eddie