More weddings and babies, oh my

I'm once again waist-deep in meaningful life events. It was bound to happen. An entire year elapsed without my having to attend any weddings or births, only one funeral, and now I assume they'll all just start piling up. Just like all of the babies my friends are about to have.

Between now and next June, a mere nine months from now, three of my friends will give birth and five will get married. (That's not counting last weekend's wedding.) So that's eight (nine) crucial life events in nine months, and as you can imagine, they're not being spaced specifically to accommodate my needs. Not to mention, God forbid, any unexpected sadness that might befall us. My schedule is quickly filling up! I can't help but be excited, despite the anticipated strain on my checking account. I've been bored absolutely to tears since November. Of course, I can't help but feel relieved (and a little bit jealous) that none of this is happening to me. But of course my time will come. It's the double edged sword of knowing you're with who you want to marry, and knowing you're not ready to get married. I guess that's two swords with two edges each...

My own engagement is contingent upon the fact that I agree- beyond a shadow of a doubt- that I am willing to procreate. Now, this is a topic LONG debated and weighed-in-upon by nearly everyone in my life. And it should be said that VERY few people are in my corner of the ring. Mostly, everyone believes that rearing children is an inevitable. Those of you who know me, know that I disagree. There is nothing natural or inevitable about sacrificing all of your time, energy and resources to devote to the care of a child who will drain you of them, and wind up hating you in the end. That's not even considering the possibility that said spawn will be or become physically or mentally ill, a psycho, a criminal, addictive, abusive, or in some other way AWFUL. I know it's pessimistic. I can't apologize for that but I'd rather have a better outlook, if it makes you feel any better.

Of course there's the alternative. Kids who grow up to be Astronauts and brain surgeons and save the world in some significant way, thus making all of your hard fought efforts completely worth your while. However when the same level of energy is devoted to the above serial-killer, somehow all that hard work seems wasted. You're left to your golden years torturing yourself over what you did so wrong.

All of this in their hip pocket, millions of people still decide to have children every day. And three of them are my best friends. I'm going to be a GODMOTHER in just a few short weeks, which is absolutely crazy. Tara's daughter Madison is my soon to be God-Daughter, and she's already got a Tiffany rattle to prove it. Teresa and Bear will be proud parents in just a few months, and Andrea is about to pop for the 2nd time any day now. All of my friends in Philadelphia are pregnant at the same time. Seemingly there is something in their water.

On the wedding front, last weekend Jeff and Corena's nuptials were in Portland Oregon- which you already know was BEAUTIFUL. Tomorrow Ryan and Julie get married at the Chicago planetarium, which boasts Chicago's most "beautiful skyline views". I concur. It's pretty amazing. The holiday season follows which offers a short break from the action, apart from some visits to see the new babies, and the christening of Madison Marie. Shortly after Christmas I assume that Missie's bridal functions will commence. Being southern, she gets to partake in literally MONTHS of endless bridal festivities. Brunches, lunches, weekends, showers, teas, things in pearls, things in dresses, things that hopefully all offer morning or early afternoon cocktails. I can't wait to drink a martini in pearls. I haven't done that since my brief stint in Charlotte, oh so long ago.

In May, Bill and Kelly get married in Santa Monica, our first black tie affair (at the Four Seasons, no doubt). A far cry from the self-sufficient farm outside of Portland last weekend. Each equally exciting in their own rights. The following weekend takes us to St. Louis for Natalie and Tyson's wedding and less than one month later we'll be in Charleston for Melissa Rowe, my best friend's, wedding. Cliche! Somewhere in there, Danielle and Y2 will be married, though details remain obscure. You can count on updates as they become available.

By this time next year I will be one of the ONLY unmarried girls still standing. I do have a few friends who are keeping the single torch burning, God speed. Finding Bry seemed like a marathon of bad decisions and even worse hangovers. But since then it was a SPRINT to the idea that I'd found my future. And crazier yet, it was already here. Time is continuing to fly, and I'm certain it won't slow down soon. My single friends are right to hold out. Once you find what you're looking for, the journey moves too quickly to keep up.

Some day, I might find a place in my heart where there is room for children, in which case I will be joining the ranks of the engaged and married and breeders in no time. I should be sure that doesn't happen in the next nine months. And if it EVER does, I'll be sure not to blink, or I'll miss it.