Just when I thought that this weekend couldn’t possibly top last, Emily and Ryan make it into town for a full three days off fun and fabulousness. I would have posted this update on Monday, but I was so tired I think I may have fallen asleep on the bus on the way home from work. I had to use the majority of Monday evening to recuperate.
As much as I love my job, the nine hours I spent sitting at my desk on Friday seemed unbearable knowing that my little sister was slowly making her way down to me. Emily and Ryan woke up to a flat tire, so they ended up being a little later than they expected, which was horrible for them, but great for me. If they would have gotten in before six I don’t know how I could have stayed to finish up the articles I wanted to submit before they got in.
My favorites made it to my apartment right around 6:15 p.m. and met me around 30th street shortly there after. After a few 
squeaks, squeals and bear hugs, we all made our way to Bayside, which is quickly becoming Addam and my favorite place to take visitors. We parked at my office, and I gave them a quick tour before we headed out.
Emily and Ryan were starving, so we got some pasta. It was an absolutely gorgeous night, and we decided to sit outside and catch up. It’s strange how having Emily near me for even one minute makes me realize just how much I’ve missed her. Every time I see her again I always wonder how I stand being away.
We walked around Bayside for awhile, seeing the sites and taking some fabulous photos. We had a brief upset when Emily lost her purse (would she be my sister if she didn’t?), but relax, relax. After three days of calling Bayside and the police, the only kind soul left in Miami found and returned it. I know, right?! I thought that she’d never see it again, and yet, there it is, sitting by my feet as I type.
After after-dinner drinks, some fun photos with the local Swisher Sweeties, and a few trips around the city on the Metromover, we headed back to the apartment, where we all stayed up ridiculously late laughing and planning the weekend festivities.
Before I go on and on about the rest of the weekend, I think that I need to point out to everyone who does not already know that this is the first time I’ve ever met Ryan. We’ve talked a bunch, we’re Facebook friends, but I’ve never quite met him on the face-to-face. Needless to say…I was very impressed.
I don’t really know how to describe how good he is to my sister, which is the best thing about him, but suffice it to say that I know she is being taken care of, which lifts a great weight from off my shoulders. I also know that she’s happy, which is quite possibly the most important thing in the world to me. In fact, her happiness completely coincides with how great I think he is, and from where I’m sitting, they’re both 10s.
AND — the dude is incredibly funny, which I always appreciate. I don’t really hang with people who can’t make me laugh, and he had me cracking up all weekend. It makes me feel fortunate that he’ll be in both Emily and my life for a long time to come.
After a late night and (somewhat) early morning, we all hopped in the car and headed out to Key Biscayne to check out wedding locations.
We got a little turned around finding Crandon Park, but once we found the place we got the full tour. Every place we 
saw was amazing and would make for a beautiful location, but I think Addam and I are going to go with Club Paradise because it’s private and has the most shade. Addam’s putting the deposit down tomorrow morning, so I need to make sure to get the finishing touches on my save the dates.
Addam and I have decided not to have the reception on the beach. It was a hard decision, and something we didn’t want to give up, but we love music, and Crandon Park doesn’t allow for any sort of amplification. Which…just does not work for us.
After checking out the hot spots the whole gang headed down to the Rusty Pelican for dinner. We had been told by park officials that that is where most couples end up having their reception, but when I went to inquire about rates they told me that they were going to be closed for renovations over August.
I don’t get why they plan to renovate, because the place was absolutely amazing. I honestly didn’t think that any of us would be able to afford it at first, but we stuck it out and were glad we did. The food was epic. I literally could have filled up on bread, and I think I kind of did. I got the best tomato soup I’ve ever had in my life and a salad.
The only thing better than the food was the view. Our waiter, who was a bit rude and absentminded, placed us near a big window by the water, so we got to watch sea planes and yachts jet by while we ate. We even got a glimpse of a wedding reception, which only made me more excited about my big day. (Oh, and one of the groomsmen was Will.i.am. From Fergie. I mean, really. I think it was him. I wanted to hire him to work my reception.)
Right after dinner Emily and I went wedding dress shopping for some quality bride/maid of honor time. It was about 5 p.m., and I thought a lot of places would be closed, but David’s Bridal was open and accepting.
Guys…I tried on soooo many dresses. I’ve said before that I am not the typical bride. Since I had no idea what I liked, I wanted to try on everything. I put on mermaid cuts, strapless cuts, form fitting and flowing. I tried trains, no trains, veils and tiaras, and in the end, I still love the first one I ever tried on.
I’m not including the photos of actual contenders on here, because I am sure Addam will be reading this blog post. The 
one I’m including is a total princess cut. Definitely not what I’m going for, but I had to try it. Don’t worry. I plan on posting an update, for your eyes only, later this week. I’m not very traditional, but I want Addam to be amazed when he sees me in my dress for the first time. Which means that he absolutely cannot see me in my final pick. He seems ok with that. In fact, I think he may be more concerned with keeping the dress hidden than I am.
I do have to say though — I never knew how much putting on a wedding dress would affect me. I didn’t know what to expect, but I never thought that I’d ever feel so bridal. Seeing myself in a gown for the first time really got to me. It all seemed so official, and I couldn’t wait for Addam to see me walking toward him on a beach in Key Biscayne.
The coolest part? There was no mirror in the changing room, so the first reaction I ever got was Emily’s. I’d come of out the little closet and immediately look to her for an opinion, which kind of helped me judge what I would think upon seeing the dress. (Yeah, she has that much of an influence over me, and I really just want her to think I’m pretty on my wedding day. Is that so insane?) We immediately sent all of the photos we took to Steve and Judy, but as they had completely conflicting opinions, I really don’t know what that to take away from it all…
After picking out of ton of swatches, (I think I’m going to go with a jade green and tan-ish color), Emily and I headed out to meet the boys, who apparently spent two hours drinking whiskey and shooting the shit. We had planned to go see Black Swan, but I incorrectly thought that it was already playing in Miami. We’re going when Ryan and Emily get back from their cruise on Friday.
Without plans for the night, we all decided to head out to South Beach. A couple of five-hour energies and we were more than good to go.
After Emily and I followed this troll of a woman into a ritzy hotel to pee, we met up with the boys and headed to the water. We spent the evening munching on leftovers and taking ridiculously cute and funny photos. Addam would shout out a scenario, and we would all pose to act it out. I wish my descriptions could do the game justice, but it really was a good time. If nothing else, we kept each other laughing.
After Addam took a jump in the December ocean, and after taking about a thousand pictures of these classic CJ’s we found near Collins Avenue, (Addam is obsessed), we headed home.
Addam had to work on Sunday, so Ryan, Emily and I planned to spend the day checking out wedding dresses and bridesmaid gowns. Unfortunately, it turned into three hours of driving around in search of any open bridal stores. After wandering hopeless for a couple hours, we decided on Macy’s, which also had absolutely nothing to work with. I’ve already scheduled a ton of appointments for next weekend so we don’t run into the same issues.
Addam got off around sixish, and we all headed to this BOMB Mexican restaurant where we fueled up on chips and tacos. The service was lack-luster, but the food was amazing. The woman who rang us up was simple and foolish, so my food was free, so I honestly can’t complain. The sauces were amazing, and Addam and I plan on hitting it up again in the near future.
Back at the apartment we had an easy evening of The House Bunny and Zack and Miri Make a Porno. I don’t know what time I went to bed, but I do know that Monday morning was a tough one.
Luckily, we all went out for breakfast, which was a good start to what would be a long day. I maxed out on a much needed egg and cheese sandwich from Subway, and Ryan and Emily set out for their cruise. Addam spent the a.m. making sure they were all aboard, and I was jealous that I couldn’t be there to send them my love as they set sail. I pictured myself waving furiously as their boat made its way out of the port.
It’s now Tuesday, and I’m much more rested. I plan on going to bed early everyday this week in anticipation of the incredible weekend I have coming up. Dress shopping, tattoos and Black Swan? Yeahhhh. I can deal with it. I just wish it never had to end. Not to get sappy, but it’s going to be really hard to embrace the cold after being engulfed in sunshine.
“I’d rather laugh with sinners than cry with saints.” — Billy Joel, musician.
Tags: Bayside, CJs, Crandon Park, David's Bridal, Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade, Rusty Pelican, South Beach, wedding
