Wedding Countdown: 33 Days to Go!

Photo by Katherine Beth Photography

Hello, friends.

Today, I was a bit of a brat. I had my heart set on going to the beach, but the sun never came out. Were we or weren't we going to the beach? Mikey waited patiently while I pouted through my indecisiveness. 

We did end up going to the beach. We did not find a place to park. We came back home and Mikey put on sounds of the ocean he found on YouTube. He said he would shine a light on me since there was no sun. I can't even make this stuff up. The guy is that sweet.

I tell you this peek into the life because this is reality. It is the countdown to our wedding. 33 days to be exact (per that trusty resource TheKnot.com) and this is the day-to-day. Him making my life better.

I used to kind of question when people would call their significant others their "best friend" because it's like, what do you mean? I already have best friends. The person I'm dating is just that - the person I'm dating. But now, being in it, from boyfriend to fiance to husband-to-be -- thank GOD he is my best friend. 

Mikey has seen me in brat form before. He's been there during my snappiest, hangriest, most stubborn of times. During the times when I've been wrong, and I KNOW it, but still won't give in. And, bless his soul, he just waits for the storm to pass. 

The person you marry should be your best friend. Lesson learned. 

I will also tell you that I never imagined I'd get married. It wasn't on my list of "things to do." It's always been write a novel, move to New York. Or, write a novel, move to the beach. Or, write a novel, travel the world. I'm not anti-marriage or feel like I don't need a man. It just didn't cross my mind that often. 

Well, ok, during Christmastime watching "Love Actually" and when people would say things like, "But you're so smart/funny/single" but other than that, it wasn't something that I had to come to grips with, the fact I might not get married. I was OK.

Me and my books would be just fine.

Because how would I get married and be independent? I am an active participant in my life. And when you create your own voice, a certain direction for your life, it's hard not to want to protect it or worry about losing it. It's not romantic. It reeks of narcissism. But, that's the truth of this single gal who eased herself into a relationship.

But here's the beauty of it: I didn't have to change for him. I was able to remain completely myself, but better!

I am calmer. Not because he tells me to relax (the worst!), but over time, you just chill out in the natural way that you do when you live with another human you have respect for. 

I am smarter. Mikey knows a lot. I know more, of course. But he's pretty smart and I've learned new things. Mostly baseball things. Walk-off homer. I get it now.

I am prettier. I didn't do a damn thing different. Mikey just tells me that every day and he's not a liar. So, there you have it. 

These next 30+ days will be the most I will talk about marriage for probably my whole life, but I'm here to tell you that love will surprise you in the best possible ways. How accepting it is. How nonjudgemental. How easy it can be. Taking chances become easier. Changing direction is like sweet serendipity. 

Because when your best friend, whom you love, asks you to marry him, actually gets down on a knee and politely poses the question -- you say YES.

That's a no-brainer. You add "get married" to your list, honey. Pass me a pen. Where do I sign? 

Where's Courtney: Welcome to Denver, CO (April 2015)

What better excuse to travel than tag-a-long with your significant other on a business trip, which is exactly what I did when Mikey said he was scheduled to speak at a conference in Denver. I'd never been to Denver except for multiple layovers on my way to other destinations. Let's make a weekend of it, shall we? 

Denver is a pretty big beer city. They have one of the biggest (or maybe the biggest) beer conventions in the nation. San Diego is known for its craft beer, but Denver is no slouch either. We visited a few of the breweries on an informal beer crawl of our own led by yours truly, including Falling Rock Tap House, which is located on Blake St., one of the more popular walking blocks of the city.

We also had to take in a Rockies game, but of course. A baseball game is pretty much a given whenever we travel together. Since Mikey used to work for the Rockies, he scored us some pretty sweet tickets and we enjoyed a fun time at Coors Field where I wanted to trick him into getting Rocky Mountain Oysters. Sadly, he already knew what they were, so my plans were spoiled.

The morning of Mikey's conference, I went to hear him speak and then we met for lunch at Sam's No. 3, a place that's appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and I had the pork chili verde which was uh-mazing!

We also hit up a few bookstores, coffee shops, and I ventured onto Banjo Billy's Tour Bus. Yes, it's a thing. It's nice if you want someone to point out all the main spots of Denver and give you a little bit of history, but I was slightly disappointed since I thought I had signed up for the ghost tour excursion. Apparently, I had not. 

After learning this, I kind of fell asleep for a little bit. One thing I did learn is that there is a park in Denver where there used to be a cemetery. The tombstones have been moved to another location, but the bodies haven't! Also, across from the Holiday Inn Express we were staying is an old hotel that used to have an underground tunnel for gentleman to uh, escort ladies back and forth late at night.

Denver is a pretty short getaway from San Diego. If you wanted to make the trip, you could even leave early on Saturday or after work on a Friday and still plan a fun time. 

Next time I go back, I'd like to explore Rocky Mountain National Park, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the Stanley Hotel nearby in Estes Park. 

50/50 Challenge: Halfway Mark

June marks the halfway point for the 50/50 Challenge. While I've been behind on regularly updating my progress, maybe it's better that I just do it now and then near the end of the year, I can see if 2015 is the year I accomplish my goal. 

I'm not doing awful, but I'm not doing great either. Since my last update, I've seen the following movies:

#23 - True Story

#24 - Adult Beginners

#25 - Welcome to Me

#26 - Insurgent

#27 - Pitch Perfect 2

#28 - Entourage

A little bit behind on the reading end, per the usual.

#11 - Better than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives - Gretchen Rubin

#12 - The Violets of March - Sarah Jio

#13 - Into into Wild - Jon Krakauer

#14 - The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League - Jeff Hobbs

#15 - The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron

#16 - The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

I wouldn't even be this far on my book reading if it wasn't for my book clubs and being on pace to read something in order to discuss it later. However, of the ones I've read recently, only one was for book club.

I don't know why I never was pulled into reading Into the Wild before now, but I'm so glad I did. Jon Krakauer did an excellent job of mixing journalism with storytelling. I'm eager to read more of his work. The story of Into the Wild reflects many of my own feelings towards "how to live life." I followed up that book by reading a few articles regarding criticism surrounding both Krakauer and Christopher McCandless (whose story the book captures). When someone takes a road that goes so strongly against the norm, it's a given there will be judgment that is mostly based on misunderstanding or non-understanding. These stories are important to tell whether they go against the grain of society or not. Honestly, they're important because they go against the grain of society.

But, I digress. Movies-wise, I'm good. I'll make it to 50 and beyond. I'm confident. Books-wise, it's going to be a struggle. I'm open to suggestions for any must see/must read movies and books.