So we just got back from a whirlwind trip that lasted all of last week. We started our excursion in Destin, FL with our good Pals Kristen and Kirk and their little 3 year old bundle, Kaylen. It was a great start to the trip and was full of seafood, cheap margaritas, and at one point, two grown men riding boogie boards for two straight hours. All in all it was very needed and I couldn’t think of a better place to decompress with Kathlee. After about 4 days of fun in the sun, we packed up the car (a Passat that housed 4 adults, a toddler, and a dog named Edie) and headed northeast to Atlanta in what may have been the most uncomfortable ride Kathlee has ever experienced. We got an early start Saturday morning and our first stop was a tasting for a potential caterer to our wedding. This was the first caterer that we have tried and I believe we have two others the next time we get back to Atlanta, I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite parts of this whole process. Anyway, after that we boogied on over to Summerour, it’s the venue we are using for our wedding and reception, I think I was the last one to see it and I couldn’t be happier, every aspect of it is amazing. I also can’t wait to see what ideas Kathlee comes up with to utilize the space, that lady lives for this kind of stuff. The last part of our day/night was spent enjoying our engagement party that Kathlee’s parents threw for us. It was great to meet some new people and to see friends that we haven’t seen in a while. Props to Mrs. C. for putting together some amazing dishes and desserts that knocked the socks off just about everybody there, it was great. The next day we relaxed with the folks and had Easter lunch at CPK (California Pizza Kitchen), an acronym that the whole Cleveland clan was using and for some reason I was momentarily ashamed that I didn’t know. After CPK we headed back to the house, packed our bags, said our goodbyes and headed to the airport. It’s good to be back and I look forward to keeping you guys (Mrs. Cleveland, my mom) updated on all our adventures on the road to the wedding.
Apr 9
Back in Austin.
So after brainstorming a few ideas for what we should name this blog (should we name it after ourselves? Should it have a more formal title? Should it be cheesy or romantic?) Alex looked at me and said, “What about ‘Love at First Sight?’” Then we both started laughing. Then I said, “S-I-T-E” and our little blog was born. Bad story #1, and there’s more from where that came from!
So Alex and I are excitedly planning our May wedding (13 months away, seems like a lifetime!) and already things have been a little stressful. First it was how many people should be invited, then it was what kind of venue we wanted, food, budget, etc. It’s hard not to step on toes when it’s an incredibly important day not just to you, but to your closest friends and family. All that said, I’ve been told by many who have been in my shoes that the best approach is to breathe deeply, count to 10, and remember that in the end you’ll be marrying the man of your dreams. How can that not be a win win?
SXSW came and went briskly, and in our new house we were far from the action (which I loved, Alex was a little irritated by the lack of transportation to work downtown) but we’re putting most of the money in our “Honeymoon Fund”. We’re hoping to go to Greece if we can afford it, maybe Croatia if we can’t! Either way… there will be sun, breeze, European wine, and countless excuses to overspend because it’s our freaking honeymoon.
We’re taking a mini vacation to Destin next week with our good friends Kirk and Kristen and their sweet and hilarious three-year old daughter, Kaylen. They’re the only couple we’re close to that are married, so we kind of look up to them as some sort of wise men. I have called Kristen (too many times) to ask questions like, “Does Kirk’s annoying habits like… I don’t know leaving wet towels on the bed…. do those ever go away or do you just get used to them?” Usually the answer is what I was expecting.
After the beach we’re celebrating our engagement with friends and family, which I’m so excited for. It’ll be our first time we’re seeing a lot of our friends as an engaged couple, and also one of the first tasks from my Emily Post bridal etiquette book. Feels so good checking those things off! (ha) I mainly just can’t wait to see everyone.
Alright, that’s all I got for now. Alex and I will be taking turns uploading pictures and blogging when we feel like it as we go along in our little journey as soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Alex Akers.
Alright, I need to run to the grocery store now because I’m cooking a vegan dinner for a good friend tonight!
