An End To The Era Of Single Friends

Denise got married this weekend and while it was another amazing event (memories of Chris and Grace's wedding are still fresh in my mind), I have to admit I feel a little weird about all of my childhood friends pairing off and embarking on the journey of wedded bliss.

Is it weird that I'm not quite ready for that? I mean, I want to get married, but I also know deep down that I'm nowhere near being prepared for anything like that. It's kind of the same way with babies. I can't wait to have one and I *really* want one of my own, but hello-- how the freak could I ever manage someone else's little life when I'm having enough trouble just keeping myself afloat? (So calm down, Matt. I don't *really* have the itch quite yet!)

Anyhow, it all went down in South Jersey. I stayed with Matt in some hotel (where most of the bridal party and guests stayed as well, I gathered), and there was a coach bus to caravan everyone to the ceremony and reception which were near the shore at this neat little club/restaurant place. The vows and stuff went without a hitch-- short and sweet, and then it was on to the party.

A bunch of kids (and their dates) from the old days showed up, so catching up with all of them was pretty nice. And I got drunk on Heinekens and Chardonnay and ended up grinding on the dance floor, which was a ton of fun. From what I remember, I mostly danced those naughty dances with my lady friends, including the bride. And her mom-- I think I grinded with the bride's mom, Lori. And I definitely remember seeing Denise's grandma watching me and smiling from the sidelines. Ha!

After the party was over, everyone hopped onto the coach bus again for the ride back to the hotel. I laid across an entire aisle and fell asleep against my man as soon as my ass hit the cheesy shaggish upholstery. When I woke up we were back at the hotel and I had big plans to get changed out of my party clothes and then hit up the bar downstairs with the young folks from my past. Unfortunately, my plans were foiled because as soon as I got up to the room and I shed my clothes, I hit the bed and zonked out. Clearly Matt didn't want me sleeping just yet because he promptly roused me from my drunken slumber with enticing man-motions. We never did make it back downstairs that night. We had plans, too, to attend a brunch with the happy couple and whatever guests were still around the next morning, but we ended up missing that part of the festivities, as well. Oops! :)

So around noon or so, we drove away from the hotel and from South Jersey, back towards New York, where the wind smells better. On the way home, we stopped at a giant terrible monstrosity of a mall (that shall remain nameless) so I could show Matt how the foundation is shifting and sinking by the evidence of the huge cracks in the flooring throughout all levels of the place. He'd dreamt of this mall in the recent past without ever having known it existed, so when we drove past it a couple months ago and he told me about his dreams, I knew I needed to take him inside, and this was the perfect opportunity.

A couple of hours later, we were back at my house and saying goodbye. Sigh. I really hate endings... even if they are only for the short-term. I'm really glad that Bing isn't that far away, and I'm also really glad that I've still got a few more single friends left. I can't wait to go to the next wedding and reception.

No wait-- strike that thought. I think I actually *can* wait.