Songs and the Sea: April 2013

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Bridal Shower!

I'll give you a peak at how I spent my morning.
I promise to start posting more regularly soon!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Today marks Evan being enlisted in the Navy. One whole year. This time last year, I received the "I'm here, I'm safe, I love you" call. April 24, 2012, my mom and I drove to Chicopee to watch Evan swear in to the US Navy and leave for basic training. We were able to sit with him for most of the morning. I gave him a letter, and a picture of me. I held his hand, trying to fight back tears. As I watched him swear in, my heart swelled with pride. It was almost as if, before my eyes, the boy I had loved for 5 years, turned into a man. I could not even begin to describe the pride that I felt at that moment. As we said our "see you laters" I tried to hold back tears. He kissed the few that escaped. He kissed my palms, my cheeks, my forehead, my lips. As we were escorted off base, I was in shock, but amazed at the strength of this man.

Over the past year, I have gone from seeing my fiance multiple times every week, to seeing him once every 2-3 months. I have gone from ignoring phone calls, to having my phone attached to my hand. I have learned to treasure a letter, a text, an email, a few second phone call, and every single second that we are able to spend together.

I'm not going to lie to you. I was a huge mess. Colossal. Before basic, and during, and after. While Evan was in basic, I lost almost twenty pounds. I barely slept. I cried myself to sleep nearly every night. I doubted myself. Others doubted us. I was met with adversity from all sides.

But I am proud to say, that I am stronger. I now can go weeks without communication, with little complaint. I can go months without any kind of physical contact with my fiance. I am so proud of Evan, but I am also proud of myself. I admire who Evan has become, is becoming, and the man he will be. I admire me.

<3

A poem I wrote a year ago... With an addition from now

Basic training

On April 24, you made a vow
To serve god and your country,
No one could call you selfish now.

There you stood in front of me
Raising your hand to swear to serve
I never knew how proud I’d be

Watching the determination on your face
Your body and mind at attention,
Swearing a vow that you could not erase.

A year later, one can truly see,
A man where a boy once stood
Your choice was meant to be.

My heart still swells with pride
Thinking of all that we’ve conquered
Even if it was a bumpy ride.

And here I will always be
Supporting, cheering, waiting
Forever we’ll be, you and me.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Morning After

After the unimaginable events in Boston last night, I had hoped that sleep would grant me with clarity, understanding, and a way to fathom what had occurred. The bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon struck me in a way that I cannot really explain. You see, my mom ran the Boston Marathon for six consecutive years. She normally runs it in about 4 hours. We are normally waiting at the finish line for her. All of these "normallies" would have put my family right in the bombs way. Thankfully, for a multitude of reasons, my mom didn't run the marathon this year. So we listened in shock, first on the car radio, then on the tv, to the events as they unfolded. What I think that the majority of people don't seem to know is, if you're running an over 4 hour marathon, chances are you didn't qualify. The majority of the people finishing at that time were charity runners. These were people who raised at least $5,000 so that they could run the marathon. Often, the charity is very close to their hearts and they run in honor of a loved one. The spectators never cared that the people didn't qualify. They would stand, crowding the sidewalks, grandstands, anyway they could to cheer on the people who ran. It didn't matter who you were. If there was a name on a jersey, people would call it out and cheer. The crowd would literally go wild for each and every person running that race. I know, because I have been in that crowd. I have cheered for the runners. I have seen the accomplishment on their faces as they cross the finish line. I have seen the joy on others, just to be watching the event. In less than 30 seconds, it all changed. Thankfully, within all the devastation, we also got to witness the beauty of humanity. People running towards the explosion to help. Runners running to hospitals to donate blood. Runners taking off their shirts to help put pressure on wounds. Runners who were doctors and nurses, finishing their run, and immediately going to the aid of others. Bostonians offering all they could to people who were left without a hotel room, cell phone, etc. An overwhelming tide of support from all across the country, and the world. The helpers are definitely in full force, and it makes my heart sing.

Unfortunately, with a tragedy such as this, there also comes heartbreak. A reminder that no matter what, something bad can happen. A reminder that events such as this happen daily in some cities. A reminder that there are acts of violence happening across the world.

Now is the time to band together. To show our support. To mourn the loss of innocent lives. To mourn the loss of innocence and the feeling of safety. To mourn for all the victims of violence everywhere. To pray for those who were in anyway impacted by this event, and all violence. To pray for the perpetrators of violence. To pray for humanity. To pray for the heroes, the helpers. To pray for clarity, as to what we need to do next.
And if you aren't the praying sort, think good thoughts, reflect on these events. Send healing spirits.

Above all, look for the good in the world. Look for the helpers. Try to be a helper..

Love,
Mikhala

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Wedding Planning

I am what many people would call "crazy".
I'm planning a wedding for 150+ people in about three months.
Right now, there are 38 days left until my wedding.
Let me share my process with you.
Day 1:
Struggle to find a venue. CALL AND EMAIL ALL THE VENUES. Seriously. I called and emailed pretty much every venue in the immediate area. Then I waited...patiently (HAH!)
Day 2: Secure venue.
We chose The Publick House. The first picture is where the ceremony and reception will take place. The second is where the cocktail hour will be.

Day 3: Panic. Seriously.
The next days were spent:

Making "will you be my bridesmaid?" cards for Danea, Alexis, Kristin and Alicia and sending said cards.
Picking out bridesmaid dresses.

They're from target.com and reasonable! The bridesmaids are also going to wear silver shoes and silver jewelry.

Make/choose the invitations and RSVP cards. Alexis' husband was kind enough to print them for us.
Sending invites!!
Picking out items for the registry
Going to the wedding tasting

My dad and I went, as Ev is in Virginia, and happened to be underway.
We chose Lemon Chicken, Vegetable Lasagna, and Salmon.

Meet with the DJ

assign Evan the task of picking out the music

Meet with the florist- And be shocked with how much it costs to have flowers
Buy my wedding dress.
Get my dress hemmed.
Drop my dress off for dry-cleaning.
Attending 2/4 of our premarital counseling
Oh, and picking our pastor.

Still to do:

Have our detail appointment
Make seating charts
Call all guests who haven't responded
Get an accurate food count.
Create name markers for the tables
Create a ceremony program
Print thank you cards.
Print table numbers
Probably 2000 other things.

How did your wedding planning go? Was it big? Small? Just right?

Life changes..

This year has been full of life changes for myself and Evan.

April 24, 2012- Evan left for basic training for the US Navy. Watching him swear in was one of the proudest moment of my life. I cried, proud tears, and sad tears.

May 17, 2012: I got my first letters from basic!

May 18, 2012- Our 5th Anniversary. Evan sent me an Edible Arrangements basket, and he got his first phone call that day! We got to talk for about 45 minutes. It was amazing.

May 21, 2012: I began my internship for music therapy. I had internship Monday-Thursday and stayed in Rhode Island with a pastor friend of one of my professors.

June 22, 2012: PIR! I got to spend 2 hours alone with my love. I vowed to love him and support him forever.

August 28-September 1: I ventured down to Mississippi to see Ev. It was an adventure! I got stuck in a hurricane, took a ride with a stranger, but we were finally reunited.