Pack Mule in a Pretty Dress

All six of us were in a family wedding this weekend. It was special to be a part of the of the bridal party. I’ve had enough experience preparing my family for day-long events to know that you always plan for the inevitable. Adding to it a child who had been vomiting all week, the preparations were extensive.

I began putting things in my SUV early in the morning, adding whatever I saw fit. It didn’t really seem like that much at the time; Two tuxedos, two flower girl dresses, two bridesmaid dresses, everyone’s shoes, make-up, clothes for later, lint roller, hairspray, curly hair spray…okay, that’s just the beginning.

My mom came with me to the hotel to help get everyone ready whilst my beloved was gallivanting with his brother for one last time as a bachelor. She was gracious. Wiping faces when needed and getting the kids distracted with Kung Fu Panda on cable. I don’t think my sister-in-law imagined that she’d be watching Kung Fu Panda in her bridal suite on her wedding day, but I guess that’s what you get when kids are involved.

I opted to take off my glasses for the day---a choice made primarily because I still feel like a nerd in them, and also because the extreme heat made my nose sweat. Now you need to know that they don’t make contact lenses for me because my prescription is too thick. Walking without my glasses is typically a challenge, so walking in heels, a fancy dress-----practically unprecedented.

So I exited the building, one of the area’s most premiere hotels, and took to the street with my four kids, a stroller, five bags, a mother, and enough food to get them all through the day. I actually got checked out (not discreetly) by two guys at the stop light. I was torn between slapping them for considering me and blowing a kiss. I felt proud of the roles I was able to simultaneously conquer. That of pack mule and bridesmaid.