Growing up, I complained ad nauseam about living in such a small town. The local Wal-Mart and bowling alley were about all we had going for us on the weekends (for once, I don’t exaggerate). Currently, there’s a rundown mall that no longer even boasts a legit clothing store (R.I.P. Dillard’s). You have to drive an hour to Nashville to the north, or a bit further to Chattanooga to the south for any taste of urban life. But sometimes it takes moving 3,000 miles away—then around the world a few times and back—to realize that people, not things, make a place.
Case in point: Above is the majority of 10 ladies who banded together to throw me the loveliest of bridal luncheons ever. I’m having so much fun, you can’t even tell I was at the height of my five-day food poisoning fiasco, can you? Everyone I could possibly think of showed up from my childhood next door neighbor (below) to my fifth grade English teacher who got me started on writing, and now seems to think I’m famous (we’ll just let her go on thinking these crazy thoughts, OK?).
While the ladies partied within, Scott and my dad and Frank got stuck being the valet service, ha. They look pleased with their positions of power, wouldn’t you say? Or maybe it’s just the fact that they were banished to the outside in 30-degree weather. Yeah, that could have something to do with it.
As if that weren’t enough, my cousins from Memphis and Nashville and my New York roommate all came in for the occasion, so amid bouts of vomiting, fun and catching up ensued. It’s a bit difficult to stay down in the dumps (as SVV and I were severely cursing our choice of a buffet dinner in Chattanooga two nights prior) with this one around for entertainment.
Then, that night, 30 couples—yes, you read that correctly—threw Scott and me a full-on engagement party. So the whole family, Granddaddy included, got all gussied up for the occasion.
Scott said he felt like a politician, meeting and greeting the 133 people who showed up and trying to remember faces and names. (What he doesn’t realize is they were totally sizing him up, seeing if he’s fit to join the Tullahoma extended family.)
As we’d say in Tennessee, I think he dun good.
A few of my favorite outtakes from the evening:
college friend/NYC roomie LP with my cousin John; the two are drinking buddies in Nashville and my grandfather is honestly perplexed why they don’t get married themselves
little sis and our other dad, Jim
with our local jeweler extraordinaire who fixed my ring for me over the summer and pointed out I should have come in to get it shined that morning (oops; these things just don’t occur to me)
I’ve known these three ladies since they were in diapers, and the one on the right (my other sister) and her adorable hubs are about to be a party of three! (you can’t tell yet, as she’s just nine weeks along, but it was such a nice Christmas surprise!)
our (faux) musical entertainment for the evening
my dad, likely on his 13th beer, and his pal Ron
the prettiest family in town; I challenge you to find a better-looking bunch than them
Everything about the party was perfect: the guests, the decorations, especially the food. A few of the hostesses even stop by this blog now and then to see what I’m up to and, thus, know of my unhealthy obsession with cupcakes. So you can guess what was front and center on the dessert table. I may not have been able to eat or drink a thing that night (see: food poisoning, above), but you better believe we polished off the leftovers in the following week. And, on top of everything else, we’ve started tackling our wedding registries early, as we were presented with several generous gift cards by the couples throwing the parties.
When it comes down to it, getting married is a humbling experience. All these people convening in one place to celebrate you? Downright crazy. I can’t thank all the people who threw us parties and gave us gifts enough, or celebrate the fact that you’d never find such spirit or sense of community in a big city. San Francisco may be my place of residence, but Tullahoma will always be home.
Wow, what an awesome party. It is humbling, isn’t it? They like you, they really like you!
(P.S. My hometown didn’t even have a mall or a big-box store of any kind. We had a Dairy Queen, the end, and all 2,000 of us ate there regularly. Not that this is a competition or anything, but you should TOTALLY cry for me.)
Funny I just got the 2010 Jack Daniel’s Squire calendar and they mention having to head over to Tullahoma to the closest liquer store to actually buy Jack
The best thing about weddings is the reunions and time spent with so many special folks in your life!! Sounds like a very special place to be from.
I felt the same way. Everyone is so generous, comes so far just for you and shows how much they really care about you.
I was very touched and humbled.
Small towns rule when it comes to events like this. My family’s Christmas Cookie Smackdown is at least 20% more fun because we designate local neighbors and families as judges. Small towns rules, everywhere else drools..
And that family is so attractive that it kinda freaks me out. But ya’ know, you and SVV are definitely up there. Look at him all Dapper Dan and you, the Lady in Red!
-Sarah
Your family (and community) rocks!! It’s hard to find the same hospitality in the big cities. Everyone is always in a rush to go somewhere and do other things…
By the way, is there a final verdict on the honeymoon location?
You know me, always asking about travels…
-Jen
You two are beautiful and truly blessed to be loved and celebrated by so many.
How lovely! And how lucky to have so many people that care about you!
You look beautiful! I’d never have guessed you weren’t feeling well. It looks like they were both wonderful parties.
Awesome . . . they look like fantastic parties and you had fantastic dresses for each
I’m liking the South more and more. I would move there, if all my favorite Southerners weren’t already here. And how do you manage to look so good when so full of food poisoning? You’re a wonder.
You look SO GORGEOUS and I’m so happy you were surrounded by love for such a fun celebration. Yay!
You look beautiful! Congrats!
It is humbling! Again and again I was amazed at how kind, generous, and thoughtful people in the months leading up to our wedding.
I love small towns. Also, I guess PCB does have one up on Tullahoma. We still have our Dillard’s. Fancy!
Hurray! Looks like a great time!
First, I’m amazing at how good you look when battling food poisoning. Second, I love weddings and engagements. To me this equals lots of fun and good champagne! Enjoy the rest of your engagement!
i’m pretty sure pack and i are getting married. i just don’t know it yet.
You must share your hair secrets…so shiny and beautiful!! Glad you had such a wonderful time.
Are you from Tennessee? because you’re the only TEN I SEE!
I know another joke about Tennessee but you wouldn’t talk to me again if I told it to you.
I wish my parents still lived in MY small town.