Learning to learn: Part 2

For those of you who read my post last week about Graym locking himself in his car and my attempt to console him, I want to share with you another wonderful moment that took place in our relationship. For those of you who didn't read it, you should definitely go back, give it a look-over, and then come back to this post :)

On Saturday night, Graym and I had some time to ourselves and decided it would be a nice time to chat. One of the things that I love most about Graym is that, more often than not, he is the one to initiate deep and meaningful conversations. I think it's a common stereotype that guys need to be prodded with a jack hammer before opening up their hearts, so it's a nice change of pace to know that Graym is more than willing to share his thoughts and discuss tough topics. We took advantage of the time to talk about the post-car incident. To be more clear: my attempt to cheer Graym up. It was obvious that, try as hard as I did, I just didn't love Graym in the way that he needed that night. I loved him, yes, but in the way that I would've wanted to be loved if the roles were reversed. I was determined to learn him, to learn his needs and the best way that I can support him, and what better way to do that than to just...ask. 

"What did I do right? What didn't I do that you wish I had? What can I do next time to make sure I am there for you in every aspect that you need?"

A wonderful and enlightening conversation followed suit as he shared the emotions he was feeling that night and how I could love him better the next time he faces a bump in his day. It was such a joy to learn more about Grayms heart: the way he processing trying events, the way he copes, and the way he'd like for me to comfort him. 

It's so nice to know that every day is yet another opportunity to learn more about each other. I know that even after 100 years of marriage I won't be able to understand the entire complex and beautiful heart that Graym has, but boy, that sure is my goal! To love him, to serve him, and to learn him.

I can't wait to dive even deeper into the heart and mind of this man I am so crazy about ♥

No babies for us!! (yet...)

Graym and I love kids. We want to have a few of our own one day. But let's reflect on two key words: one day. As excited as we are to be parents and raise some of our own kiddos, I'd rather not bring home a bun in the oven as a honeymoon souvenir :)

So off we went to the lovely lady doctor this past Saturday to talk about our options. I was proud of Graym that he was so willing to come with me. And it turn out to be a fabulously amusing afternoon. Though I had talked to Graym about some of the different birth control options, neither of us had actually seen what some of these devices looked like. You could only imagine both of our faces when she brought a sample of one in. The first words out of my mouth? "That's HUGE!" Hahaha needless to say I did not choose that one and we couldn't stop laughing about it the rest of the afternoon.

So, alas, my journey to becoming a married woman has taken another step forward. But as long as we're baby-free for a couple years of marriage, I'm ok with that :)


Side note: Hopefully this isn't too revealing of a post. I'm sure some of you will think this was better left for the privacy of our relationship. I just figure if I'm going to write a blog about the road to becoming a married woman, I should be honest about the journey and not hide something that is going to play a very important role in our marriage. Don't worry though, I don't think I'll be writing any more about such "yucky" stuff :)

Learning to learn.

Every day that I am with Graym is a day to learn and grow. There is not a moment spent with him where I don't see a new part of his heart, understand a new aspect of his mind, or love more of his soul. These moments can be beautiful and uplifting, but sometimes they can be confusing and frustrating as I learn more and more that the way he thinks, loves, prays, speaks, reacts, and responds is often different than the way I do myself. Sometimes I feel helpless as I try to figure out the inner workings of his mind and discover the best way to love and serve him. 

See, as the future bride of Mr. Kasko it is my greatest desire to learn Graym. Not just to love him. Not just to make fun and exciting memories to share with our future kiddos. Not just to earn the title of "wife." I want to learn him. I want that every day I spend with him I ask myself, "What can I do today to be the loving, caring, and selfless woman that God created me to be for Graym? How can my actions, expressions, and words be used to demonstrate my love for him and my desire to give him everything he needs?" It's almost like I forever want to go to the University of Graym Kasko, but every time I complete one degree, there is another greater, longer, and more prestigious degree to be earned. Like with any academic institution, each consecutive degree requires a harder work ethic, involves more extensive research, runs into a few more road blocks, and takes a lot more time and energy to reach the finish line. But have you also noticed that with each higher degree the feeling of joy and sense of accomplishment you experience is magnified? You gain a greater and deeper understanding of the subject which you studied, learn the tools and resources needed to pursue the next degree in line, and are well-equipped and better prepared for the challenges ahead. Earning a degree reaps its own material and social rewards too, doesn't it? In this day and age the effort you put into a higher degree returns in the form of a wonderful job, a hearty salary, the respect and awe of your peers, and the luxuries of lavish living. 

However, in a relationship the rewards you receive aren't in the form of material things, financial stability, or self-wonder. When you take the time to learn your partner, to really learn them, you reap the beautiful reward of unrivaled oneness. "That is when a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body." -Genesis2:24. You and your spouse share in a unity where you can lay bare all your flaws, past mistakes, silly habits, and hidden secrets and received a grace-filled love in return. You experience the incredible beauty of sharing in a common goal, the immense joy of spiritual and sexual fulfillment, and a powerful love that leaves you wondering, "How on earth was I blessed with such a wonderful man?"

Now I know Graym and I aren't married yet and haven't achieved the unifying oneness that God designed for us and I just described, but I want that more than you could know. As a bride-to-be, my greatest desire is to do everything I can now to be the best wife that I can be then. With just under 9 months to go, I sure have a lot of preparing to do!

Last night God really opened my heart and reminded me of a new part of Graym that I need to learn. When bad things happen to us, I've noticed that Graym and I respond in two very different ways. My way of coping includes laughing it off, accepting that I can't do anything to change the situation that I'm currently in, and moving forward in the best way I can. Graym, on the other hand, reacts in a more serious manner. He looks at a situation realistically, faces it head-on, and can be greatly affected by the consequences. Neither one is good and the other bad. Neither one is right and the other wrong. It's just the way we have been so wonderfully designed. So when Graym calls me yesterday that he had locked himself out of his car (car running) and would therefore be late to work after paying a ridiculous fee, a clash in our personalities ensued. Graym was understandably upset. He didn't know what had happened for the car to lock behind him, and because of it the morning got off to a rough start. Who would want to dish out close to $200 for a man to open your car in less than 5 minutes? Graym surely didn't, and I could feel his frustration through the phone. I, on the other hand, couldn't help but be me and laugh at the situation. Getting locked out of your car (as I see it) is one of those silly parts of life and happens to each of us at least once. I remember one time I stop at Starbucks on my way in to work, and not only did I leave my keys locked in the car, but I managed to leave the car running, lock myself out, and grab a cup of coffee before realizing what I had done. A long wait and hefty fine later I was on my way and simply chuckled at how ridiculous I was for even letting that happen (I left a car running in the parking lot...who does that? :P)

When we talked about what had happened later that night, I tried my best to cheer Graym up. I told him what I would've told myself: not to worry, it's a part of life, and don't let it get to you. Though I'm sure he appreciated the sentiment, he didn't seem too pleased with my playful attitude to this big dent in his finances and day. It was then that I realized that this was a part of Graym that I need to learn. Graym and I took the mornings events and looked at it through two different lenses. We saw things different, and that's o.k., but because I didn't take the time to take a peek from his view, to understand his emotions and the burdens that this put on his day, I spoke to him in the way that I would've liked and not in the way that he needed. I couldn't give him the comfort and support he desired. Realizing this was tough on my heart. I spent the greater part of last night praying and asking God what I could have done or said differently to be there for Graym. I prayed that I could be like the Proverbs 31 women, who "opens her mouth in wisdom and on her tongue is kindly counsel" (Prov31:26). I prayed that I could learn Graym.

This might seem like a silly thing to write so much about. Who knew that your fiance locking himself out of his car could result in such a lengthy, deep post? :) But in all seriousness and with all my heart I want to learn Graym. I want to be able to love, support, encourage, and carry him through every situation no matter how big or small. It's going to take time, it's going to take work, but I'm determined to earn that degree and every one after it. 

Our first Christmas tree...

...is pretty much gonna be the sweetest tree in the history of awesome trees. Yup, that's right. The sweetest, most wicked awesome, totally rocking Christmas tree of all time. Of all the things that I am excited about marriage, decorating for our first Christmas together is a close contender for #1 spot. Ok, so maybe it's not the first item on the list, but it sure is up there. I LOVE Christmas. Everything about it! The smell of fresh cookies, hot cocoa by a fire, snowy footprints (if it ever gets cold enough in this stinkin' state!), remembering the birth of our Savior, Christmas carols, and the sweet joy of giving; it all brings a huge smile to my face. I already have lots of plans for our make-believe apartment and lemme tell ya, it looks pretty darn schnazzy in there. I'm so thankful that our first Christmas is only a few short months after our wedding because I'm not sure I'd be able to hold back my excitement much longer. We might've had Christmas in July if we got married any earlier in 2012. I think I'll be able to control myself for the time being, though. Graym is a little concerned that we'll go broke because of my holiday ventures, but I told him not to worry. The dollar store is pretty much my BFF and I'm gonna shop that place empty. Gosh, this Christmas hasn't even passed and I'm already excited for next year!

B.t.dubs, this post was brought on because my mama bought me a darling lil Christmas tree to decorate my office with and I'm currently obsessed with how cute it is. I can't WAIT til I have a super sized tree to call my our own ;)

My uber cute tree :D :D :D

Spencer Kasko is currently in the lead for favorite future brother-in-law.

Ok, ok. I'm just kidding! I love all of the Graym's brothers the same! They all have their own wonderful and quirky personalities. Spence's talents were just particularly useful this past weekend. I'm sure Sky's juggling and Jordy's insane music knowledge will come in handy one day ;) (wedding entertainment, perhaps?).

On Friday Graym and I made our way down to his mom's house in MD to spend the day with the family and take some engagement pictures. I always knew Spence enjoyed photography and had some pretty sweet camera equipment, but it wasn't until we visited his college this past February that I really got to see his talent. Splashed on his wall were various photos of people and places that took my breath away! They were gorgeous, and so as soon as Graym and I got engaged I knew I wanted him to take our engagement photos.

We weren't disappointed! The three of us had a blast at Gilbert Run Park, a park close to where Mama Kasko lives. Graym and I just laughed and did our best to be cute as Spence snapped photo after photo. At the end he said he took over 1,000 pictures!! I guess we must be REALLY cute! :P 

A few days after, Spence sent us a link with a few of his favorite pictures and Graym and I were beyond please. They came out great! Spence did an awesome job of catching moments of joy, laughter, and love and we are so excited to have these in our future apartment. I also know who I will be calling for any future photo ops I need ;)

I posted the best one's on facebook, but if you'd like to check out a few other silly, awkward, and cute ones, check out this link! http://www.flickr.com/photos/68730063@N06/sets/72157628217150065/

Happy belated Thanksgiving! Moments to be thankful for

Though this message is late thanks to a week filled with laughter and delicious food, it is truly heart-felt. This past year has been filled with many, many wonderful things for which I am truly grateful. I have been beyond blessed to have successfully completed my education, obtain a good job that pays beyond what I could've imagined, become the future bride of an incredible man, and be surrounded by the love, guidance, and support of family and friends. Graym and I's engagement has been exciting and special thanks to those we love and are loved by. Thank you, all, for all your contributions, large and small. :)

One moment I was especially thankful for this Thanksgiving week was Graym and I's first "marriage counseling" session. I put that in quotes because though our counseling sessions haven't officially started, we were both incredibly blessed by the wisdom and guidance we received that evening. Though we were prepared to sit down with Aunt Beth and Uncle Coty (Graym's uncle and our officiant) to discuss marriage counseling with them, we never expected to be joined to by five beautiful married couples in Graym's family. Needless to say, it was a night to be remembered.

We were surrounded by couples that varied in the length of their marriage promise: from Thomas and Kay, who have been married just under a year, to Grammie and Bapa who have had over 60 years of love and happiness. Aunt Beth and Uncle Coty simply stated that they wanted us to receive helpful tips, advice, and prayer from these married couples and opened the floor to an evening of insight. Everyone shared a piece of their heart, from the wonderful moments in their marriages, the mistakes that lead them to becoming a better husband and wife, the things that they learned and were passing on, and the hardships that they themselves wish they had been advised about. Graym and I just listened, holding hands, feeling the intimacy that filled the room.

We were truly blessed that night and ended the evening much more humbled than we started it. We learned so much and are even more excited to start our life together and apply our wonderful advice. My goal as a wife is to love Graym in the way the he deserves, the way that God created him to be loved, and in the way that God loves him. Surrounded by beautiful and godly wife's like Aunt Beth, Kay, and Grammie whom I can turn to for direction, prayer, and encouragement, I have no doubt that I can do that :)

Turks and Caicos, here we come!!

Once again, I am super behind on filling you in on all the juicy details of Graym and I's wedding. Wicked lame, I know. Please forgive me as I fill you in on the most recent wedding planning fun!

So, in case you couldn't tell, I'm a but ahead of the game when it comes to all this wedding stuff ;) What can I say, when I get really excited about something, I turn into the hulk of planning. Just wait til I have kids (birthdays planned 8 months in advance? A very good possibility!). This statement has definitely held true throughout our engagement so far, and things that didn't need to be done for another 3 months have already been checked off the list...

...including the HONEYMOON!

The Monday following our wedding, Graym and I will be head off to the gorgeous Turks and Caicos Island, nestled in the heart of the Caribbean. We will spend a wonderful 10 days at The Sands of Grace Bay Resort in Providenciales, in a stunning 1 bedroom suite with full kitchen, dining and living areas, and balcony overlooking the hotel's gardens.

Needless to say, Graym and I are totally stoked! 10 days of post-wedding bliss, what more could a newly wed couple want? We're hoping to jam-pack our time there with lots of snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, exploring the islands on bike and jet ski, and some relaxing days on the beach of course! It's going to be so perfect, and Graym and I can't wait to start our life together as a married couple with such a great trip!

Here are some pictures of the beautiful islands!

Our hotel and it's beach!

A real man.

Last night we were watching the CMA awards when Luke Bryan came out singing "Country Girl: Shake it for Me."  If the title wasn't enough of a hint, a group of scantily clad gals came out to dance on chairs while Luke sang. This being one of my favorite country songs at the time, I bopped around in the chair while singing along. Half way through the performance though, I look over at Graym and see he is just sitting there, eyes on the floor. When I asked him why he wasn't watching, he responded: "I don't want to watch those girls dressed like that. I only have eyes for you."

Oh my gosh, make my heart melt! What a blessing it is to know that I am marrying a man who loves God so profoundly that he actively seeks purity in our relationship and demonstrates it in such a simple, sweet way.  There are few things Graym has done in our relationship that has made me feel as loved, honored, and respected as that very moment. (This isn't the first time Graym has turned his eyes away from girls that aren't "fully dressed," yet every time I am just as amazed.)

Needless to say, we spent the rest of the song looking into each others eyes as I was crooning at the incredible man before me. You can go ahead and roll your eyes 'cuz it's just so unbearably cute :)

Geez looez God, how did I become so blessed as to be marrying Graym?

Say YES to the dress

I've always enjoyed watching the TLC show "Say yes to the dress." I mean, what girl doesn't love watching a show about about beautiful brides trying on gorgeous dresses!? But when Graym and I got engaged, boy, I don't think I've ever watched so many episodes of the same show in one day! I was in "Say yes" hyper-drive as I dreamed of my own perfect moment when I found my dress.

After a not so pleasant first try, I was more than stoked to head on over to Curvy Girls Bridal on Saturday. Joined by my mom, aunt, abuela, and two of my cousins/bridesmaids, it was definitely a family affair. The boutique itself was gorgeous, organized, and comfortable, and the staff was more than welcoming. After introductions, I was able to browse their bridal collection (a nice change from last time) and picked up about 10 different dresses! Hey, it's the only time in my life that I'll get to try on as many gorgeous gowns as I want. I might as well take advantage, right? :) After I modeled each and everyone, I found myself down to three. Two of them were very similarly styled so I tried those on first and was able pick my favorite out of those (but BOY was it hard!!). After I put the third dress on, it just failed to compare and looked so bland next to my choice. One last time, I slipped that pretty little thing on, looked into the mirror, and realized I was wearing the dress I'd be getting married in...that has by far been the most surreal, wonderful, crazy feeling as of yet! When I say it was breathtaking, I mean it. Every detail of the dress was perfect, and though I'd love to go into more details, Graym does read this blog and I have to leave some things a surprise for the actual wedding day ;) All you guys will just have to be patient like I am! Gosh, all I wanted to the the rest of the day was put that dress back on!

The day was a success. My wedding dress was picked, and I even chose the veil to go with it! Graym was so excited to hear the news, and it was definitely a special moment realizing we are one step close to becoming husband and wife. Wife. I'm becoming a WIFE. I still can't get over it!! :)

Learning to cook like a Pinckney!

If there is one thing that I've learned about the Pinckney family since Graym and I have started dating, it's that they sure do like to eat. I don't mean an "eat until you want to explode" or "always seen with a cookie in one hand and a cupcake in the other" kind of eat. They like to eat good, wholesome, healthy foods that not only fill the tummy but also strengthen and develop the body. Many of the yummy meals Erin, Aunt Beth, and Kay post on Facebook (and let's not forgot all the delicious plates I've consumed at Grammie's house!) leave me with major cravings and a hope to someday be able to do the same.

See, in my house I grew up with a male chef. My papa was the master cook and he provided many of the meals. I never grew up thinking that I would ever need to be the primary meal provider but instead always imagined marrying a man who, like my papa, would prepare dinner with my occasional assistance or meal prep. As I got older and started dating, though, I quickly found out that my picture of a testosterone filled kitchen was about as uncommon as a purple duck. Ok, so that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but there is a pretty wide gap between the female/male family chef ratio. My cooking skills were (correction: are) pretty much zilch since I never learned or thought I really needed to learn how to cook.

This wouldn't be such a challenge if it wasn't for the fact that Graym has come to expect such high caliber meals. Even a simple salad is made extraordinary in this family with the various toppings of fruits, nuts, and seeds that speckle the plate with taste and color. Graym has been wonderfully food-spoiled throughout this life, firstly by his own mom's wonderful and organic cooking, and then by the nutrient-rich meals he's had at every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthday (and currently every day!).

The wonderful thing about this is that I don't feel like I need to cook well for Graym, but I want to. Becoming a part of this family has inspired me to dive into the world of food culture and experience for myself what healthy, home-cooked, vegetable-filled meals taste like. Though I began my quest into the world of veggies when I got to college and chose to live a healthier lifestyle, it wasn't until Graym that I became much bolder in my food choices. Though there are still many many more things to try, I can now say that I enjoy a great variety of food that are filled with flavor without the yucky fake coloring, high fructose corn syrup, and excess sugar. I've learned to read labels, pick healthier choices, and enjoy the feeling of cooking your very own meal.

As a wife-to-be, I want to provide my future husband meals that he will not only enjoy, but be good for him. I want to learn to cook from scratch, not from a box. I want to use fresh fruits and veggies, not frozen. I can even say that I would like to have my very own vegetable garden one day, where I can cook meals with the food I have hand-grown. I know I have a long way to go before I'll be able to achieve all of my culinary goals, but with a wedding just over 10 months away I really gotta jump on the bandwagon! I hope I can continue to learn and be inspired by the Pinckney family, though with food being a common conversation started and cooking a way to bring them together, I don't think that will be too difficult!

Hopefully Graym can be patient with me during our first year of marriage (I'm sure there will be many things that aren't too great but he'll lovingly eat anyways), and hopefully I can pick up a pointer or two from so many of the wonderful women in Graym's life that have fed him so well :)

Happy cooking everyone!

Which came first: the cake or the cake topper?

I find myself saying alot of the same words over and over again during all this wedding planning. Words and phrases such as "photographer", "save-the-dates", and "bridal party" have fully integrated themselves into my vocabulary and I seldom go a day without saying something related to the wedding. But, despite all of those, I think the phrase that *takes the cake* (hehehe, pun intended!) is..."the one." 

I have found another "one" and, frankly, it's just super.

As soon as I saw it on Pintrest (my latest time-consuming addiction) I knew that this was our cake topper. It was sweet, innocent, so full of love and with the quaint, comfy feel that Graym and I are looking for for our wedding. And, I absolute LOVE Willow Tree! If you haven't seen Susan Lordi's collection before, you absolute must. I already have a few of her pieces at home and thoroughly plan on collecting all of them. Ahhhh, so lovely.

So, when I walked into the Christian bookstore on Wednesday for a completely unrelated reason (which, of course, I didn't end up buying!) and the beautiful cake topper was right there just looking at me and drawing me closer like a kid in a pet store who laid their eyes on a puppy, I just had to have it. Yup, that cake topper was my puppy and I was an ecstatic 5 year old.  Thankfully I didn't have a totally lame mom tugging me by my arm and saying dad would flip out if I brought it home, so after a little more shopping I bought our CAKE TOPPER.

I find it completely necessary to capitalize the fact that I bought a CAKE TOPPER simply because we don't even have a cake lady booked, let along our cake design! I'm starting to feel slightly ridiculous that I even bought the cake topper yet. I think I may have let my childlike excitement get the best of me, especially since this isn't a very difficult cake topper to find in stores and I could have easily purchased it farther down the road. Is it normal to buy the cake topper before the cake? I don't know, and I'm not exactly what I would call "normal", so I think I'm just going to enjoy our pretty little cake topper. There is even a very good possibility that I'll place it on my dresser just so I can look at it every day : )

I'm not gonna post a picture of it simply because a part of me wants the cake to be part of the whole "oohh-aahhh" effect of our wedding, but if you just have to see it like I had to buy it, than feel free to make like a ninja and sneak a peek (but, like any good ninja, you'll have to figure out on your own how to do just that! Thankfully for you, I didn't make that too difficult to do...)

Many many blessings,

Sash

This is gonna pose a problem.

Over the past year+, Graym and I have spent some wonderful times together. From snowboarding, hiking, carving pumpkins, and family get togethers, we have spent hours by each others side and I could only be happier when I get to spend every day with him. 

I've also learned a lot about Graym and myself during this time. We have many things in common, and love sharing with one another the things that we don't. But, sadly, I have also discovered what will be the first big dilemma in our married life...

Graym is always hot (and I don't mean his totally ridiculous babe status). He is warm blooded, sleeps in his boxers and a thin sheet, and prefers to spend most of his time at home shirtless. 

I, on the other hand, am always cold. I go to bed in fleece pants and a long sleeve shirt, throw at least one comforter on me, and, which Graym finds extremely weird, even occasionally enjoy the steamy feel of a car when you first open the door after it's been sitting out in the summer sun all day (Ok, so that might be little strange but come on, it's all warm and toasty in there!)

This has posed a problem during numerous cuddle sessions. We'll sit down to watch a movie or discuss a chapter in the book we've been reading and in my attempt to get cozy I'll grab a blanket and throw it over us. Graym quickly gets hot and sweaty and takes it off. I then find myself with chilly goose-bumps and the blanket is somehow wrapped and tucked around me and between us so that I am left with the benefit of warmth and him with the freezing cold he so strangely enjoys. This is pretty much what we look like half the time: 

This doesn't seem like much at the moment, but this poses a very interesting situation once we start sharing a bed. We're obviously gonna want to cuddle and be close as we fall asleep, but when my idea of cuddling involves warm blankets and his involves as little around him as possible, one of us is gonna be left to "deal with it." 

And it surely won't be me! Ugghh, if Graym just stopped being so stinkin' hot all the time we wouldn't have this problem. Men, always making things difficult! :P

What a wonderful 1st month!

Today is a pretty super day. The sun is shining, fall is here, and it's been one month since Graym and I got engaged. A WHOLE MONTH. It feels like a week! This time has flown by and so many wonderful things have been planned. We have our venue (including catering) booked and deposit it (whoo!), our photographer booked and deposit it (whoo again!), and our DJ booked and payment on it's way. We also found a wonderful lady who does cakes, and though we're still looking in case there is something a little more affordable, we would be thrilled to have her make our yummy yummy cake. I already designed the text part of our "save-the-date"s and Graym brother Spence so wonderfully said yes to do an engagement photo-shoot for us.Things are coming together and I couldn't be happier!

This past weekend I also had the exciting opportunity to try on wedding dresses! My mom, aunt, and I headed on over to Leesburg, VA to a cute lil bridal boutique I found on a vendors list. I fell in love with some of the designers so with high hopes of finding "the dress", we made the hour long trip. Now, I've been to bridal boutiques before. Last year one of my best friends got married, and this coming April my cousin will be saying her "I do." For both ladies I spent time in various stores filled with gorgeous gowns with even more stunning silhouettes. But let me tell ya, it is a whole 'nother ball game when you're the one picking out the dress and trying them on! The dresses felt huge and thick and I was quickly working up a sweat just trying to get in and out of these things! Not to mention they were about a foot too long for me and I kept upsnapping the clips in the back as I'd bend over to pick up the hem. It was quite amusing and I felt slightly ridiculous, but nothing could beat the feeling of joy and amazement that I was looking for the dress that I would, in less than 11 months, be getting married in.

Thankfully, however, I didn't find the dress. It seems silly to be thankful for that, but when you give a woman a price range and she decides to stick you in dresses way above that, I couldn't be happier knowing I didn't fall in love with a dress that I couldn't afford. After watching way too many episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress", I've seen the emotional strain it puts on a bride when she decides to "just try it on" even though the dress is above her limit, and, lo and behold, she falls in love with it and is left struggling with the decision to break her budget or break her heart. After I saw that she had put me in a $7,000 dress, I decided it was time to GO. Granted, I should have checked the prices before putting the dresses on, but I figured if I told her my cap that she would respect that and give me price appropriate dresses. Oh well, lesson learned!

On the bright side, I get to try on lots more pretty dresses until I do find "the one." The one I'll feel beautiful in, the one I'll walk down the aisle with my papi in, the one that I'll look into the eyes of the man I love and tell him I'm going to be by his side for the rest of my life in. And it'll be perfect.

A little over ten months to go! Let's see what fun stuff I put together next : )

When your mama cries, it's "the one."

She cried like a baby.

Well, maybe not like a baby, but more than your typical sappy romantic movie type of cry. More of a "deep in your gut you just know it's the one" type of cry.

Yup, that was my mumma when we checked out the ceremony site at Bowling Green Country Club in Front Royal, VA. I'm not even sure we had seen the whole thing when the tears began to flow. But either way, it was special. It was beautiful. And it is "the one."

We got up earlier than our usual Saturday morning wake up call to begin the trip out west to Front Royal. Described as having a beautiful setting with the mighty Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, I was more than excited to see this place. Despite the rain, we geared up with umbrellas and jackets to brave the chilly, wet air and see what this place had to offer. And, at least, I could go in there knowing it had to be better than the first place we visited. Heh...see previous posts if you haven't yet.

An easy drive down 66 and 7 miles off the highway later, we arrived at a beautifully sculpted golf course surprisingly in use by what I like to call "extreme golfers" (there is no way you are getting me to play golf in 40* weather while its raining!). We pull up to the front and Graym and I bounced on in to look for Brian Jones, the event manager and one of my favorite people in the world right now. When we found him, HE KNEW MY NAME. I find this very important to emphasize and am giving him his rightly due brownie points. After introductions between him and my parents, we head over to ballroom #1. Large enough to fit 300 people, it was more than spacious and had the elegant simplicity we were looking for. We spent about 30 min there alone asking questions and receiving thorough and honest answers. Where else are you going to find a guy who says, "Well, you can rent them from us for $$ but you're better off going to X company for half the price if you want to save yourself some money. Their info is located on our vendors list." More brownie points.

We off-road-ed through the golf course (aka used the access road, but off-roading sounds way cooler, doesn't it?) to get to the outdoor ceremony location and ballroom #2, which is situated directly behind it. This, my friends, is where the tears began. You couldn't see the ceremony site from where we parked, which, thankfully, spared mom a few tearful moments. But, alas, as soon as we rounded the corner and saw the chuppah covered in ivy, surrounded by purple and pink flowers, and back-dropped by a stunning scene of rolling hills and mountains, the *gasp* escaped from her lips and the tears began to fall.

Now, before we keep going and I show you a picture of the site, I would like for you all to say the word chuppah ("choo-pah") again. Chuppah. Out loud this time. Hehehehe, it's so much fun to say!

Okie dokes! So here's a pic of the ceremony site as found on their website. I promise you (other than than the ivy which they couldn't get to climb this year) the place looks exactly like this. Oh, and just pretend that's me and Graym in the picture. It's way better that way, anyways :)

But, of course, no matter how pretty a picture looks it's always way better in person...and it was!! Graym and I both gave each a silent look that confirmed in both of our hearts that we saw each other standing there and saying our vows. It was a perfect moment, and I couldn't have been happier.

After the tears were wiped away, our group of six headed on in to see the South Ballroom. Can we all say the word "stunning" in unison please? Hardwood floors, built in fireplace, dark wood bar, elevated stage for the DJ, and, once again, plenty of space to dance your pants (or should I say dress?) off. The colors were deep and earthy, and matched perfectly with our country-esque theme we're aiming for. We have plenty of liberty to decorate with whatever we want, and they even have the purple linens I'm going for.

As we sat down to go over pricing (the cherry on top!) and the last of our questions, Graym and I shared another empty-word moment. This was it. This was the place where, in a little over 11 months, Graym and I will become husband and wife. Gives ya goose bumps, doesn't it? After we said our goodbyes and thank you's, we finally verbalized our thoughts and, though I'm not sure which one of us it was, out of someones mouth came, "Well, I don't think we need to see any other venues."

And we won't be! (well, we did go to an open house on Sunday but that was to check out the vendors. GREAT idea for all you future brides! We found our cake lady that way!) I emailed Brian today to inform him of our impending deposit and, hopefully, by the end of the week that will be in! Decoration mode will be in full swing shortly, but before all of that fun can begin it's time to pick our DJ and photographer. Whhooo!!

Oh man, oh man...I'm getting married!!

Peace and blessings,
Sasha

Venue #1 - hahahaha NO

This totally should've been posted last week but I forgot aka got super busy/excited about all the wedding stuff that I put my new blog to the side. Please forgive me, but here is the update on the first venue Graym and I checked out!

Last week Graym and I hopped in the car with my mumma, papa, and abuela (g-ma) and headed out to Bluemont, VA to check out a cute lil barn at Bluemont Winery. If there was anything we learned that evening, it was what not to look for in a venue.

I called the winery about four days before our appointment. When I called, I was greeted with a sweet voice and charming explanation of the site. She kindly forwarded me some information with prices, amenities, and catering options, and after clarifying that the desired September dates Graym and I were looking at were available and the cost was within budget, I schedule the 4:30pm appointment for that coming Saturday.

Needless to say, Graym and I were stoked! It was our first venue after all, and the pictures were beautiful! A ceremony on a mountain with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance, and a reception in an adorable renovated stable; what more could a girl ask for for a country themed wedding :) So, when we arrived, we had some pretty high expectations.

Well, that place sure did miss the bulls-eye.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the woman I spoke with on the phone by "oh, you must be my 4:30 appointment". She didn't...know...my name... I swept that one off the shoulder but was then a little taken aback by the fact that a wedding was taking place. In jeans and a t-shirt, I felt quite over dressed and though she said she had mentioned it over the phone, I couldn't for the life of me recall her saying a wedding was taking place that day.

She showed us the place all set up which was nice to see, but instead of a guided tour of the facility we were pretty much left to ask questions to which we wanted answers. After a little prodding about the beautiful linens, chairs, and outdoor cocktail hour, we found out that the $30-something plate/person for food which was stated in her email, it was actually $90/person!! And that's not even including tax and gratuity. I already took the tax/gratuity increase into consideration with the $30ish, but an increase of another $60 was hard to comprehend. At that point, we were pretty much ready to go since we knew there was no way we could afford to feed everyone for well over 10k (and lets not forget the 5k in facility fees...) but, alas, there is more.

As we were just about finished, she asked what my desired date was (she forgot?). After reminding her that we were interested in the month of September, she so kindly informs me that not only is all of September booked, but most of August and all of October as well. Wow, two entire months gone in a matter of four days? I found it hard to believe and ended the night a bit more frustrated than I started.

So that was a bit of a rant. I've been holding it in! But hopefully I got across that I was a little less than pleased with our first trip, and disappointed is an understatement. Not that I was expecting our first venue to be "the one", but at least knowing my name would've been nice.

So what did I learn?
1. Always call/email before you go to make sure the place is still available. A lot can change in a week, it seems.
2. Make sure you know exactly what is and is not included in the price.
3. Take into consideration/ask about taxes/gratuity/additional rental fees.

Well, at least I can say we're looking forward to this weekend. Two venues!! And both of which we absolutely adore via pictures and contact with the event planner. And I made sure to get all the pricing and information we need beforehand (though, of course, I'm sure there will be something I missed).

I'll let you know how those go! Until then, keep smiling, keep loving, and never let your laughter fade.

Peace and blessings,
Sasha

Pintrest is the worlds greatest invention...

Well, one of them :)

Boy oh boy do I love this site! I've found some totally awesome ideas for the wedding, and lemme tell ya, you are gonna have a good time. It's pretty much gonna be the most rockin' wedding you've ever been too. Check out my boards on the wedding, dresses I love, and others that have nothing to do with the wedding but were just fun to create, and feel free to share you thoughts!

Steps to finding my sweet country collection:
1. Go to http://pinterest.com/
2. Top left hand corner is a search bar; search "My country wedding :) "
3. Click to look at boards (vs. pins or people)
I should be the first one that comes up!

How to work this thang!!

Hey all :)

I hope you enjoy reading my blog over the coming year as Graym and I prepare for our special day. We're actually going to go see our first venue today!! Whooo!! I'll update you later on how that goes :D

I just wanted to give a quick lil "how-to" on the blog so you can navigate your way through the pages and really get the full scoop on our relationship.

Layout
At the top of the page, above the title, you will find a few different tabs to click on. They include "Home", "About us", "The Proposal" and "Wedding details" (and I'm sure I'll add more as things progress).  Click on each one, and you'll find lots of fun stuff!! On the main page you'll find in the right column a short paragraph on "The future Mrs. Kasko" and a table of contents, per se, of the blogs I'll be posting so you can go back if you miss one!

Home
This is where the main blog will be. All my updates, exciting news, vent sessions lol whatever will be posted here!

About us
Want all the juicy details on how Graym and I met? Well then look no further than this page! I'll probably have Graym write up a lil blurb about himself and I'll do the same, so make sure you check back soon to learn a lil more about ourselves and how we got to where we are now :)

The proposal
"Sasha, will you marry me?" Click here to find out just how my future husband popped that wonderful question.

Wedding Details
Yet to be filled out, keep checking back to get the summary of all the wedding fun. From theme to colors to location, everything you'd wanna know about our wedding will be here!

So that's it!! I can't wait to share all of this with you!

Peace and blessings,

Sasha

Welcome!!

Hey all! Welcome to my blog on the beautiful, and challenging, moments of engagement. I truly believe this time is about the journey, not the destination, and I'm sure this will be quite the journey. However, despite the ups and downs we are bound to face, I cannot wait to embark on this road with Graym. I hope you enjoy reading our moments of laughter, tears, smiles, and innocence, and share in all of our memories along the way.

Peace and blessings,

Sasha