This One's For The Ladies

I have been a neglectful little blogger recently due to the fact that....I'M GETTING MARRIED! Blogging is for the post-wedding Jackie who has no important life changing decisions to make like: hair-up, hair-down? To see before the wedding or not to see? 5:00 or 5:30? Will people dance or not dance? Everyone better dance!!

But I do have a little thought to put out there to the universe. It's about women. The week after I got engaged, I had the pleasure of going out to Oklahoma to visit my grandparents while my Alabama parents and Aunt were also in town. I didn't grow up with any sisters so I have always felt very attached to my mom's sisters. I remember following my mom around and around the house while she chatted with Cathy and Cheryl about mundane things, about funny things and sometimes about serious things. These hours of phone conversations gave me an example of what deep female relationships can do for a woman. They kept this up across the miles and over the years, only to all gather just a couple of times a year with hoops, hollars, laughing, and lots of love. They aren't perfect, but they are sisters.

It was into this atmosphere I arrived in Oklahoma, freshly engaged and on a mission. I needed a dress, and fast. There I was, right in the middle of the Skaggs women, just the right place to be to get the job done. With excitement and expectation we set out to the dress shop to see what we could find. Every dress was met with "Ohhs", "Ahhs", and sometimes "I don't think so's". We debated, we tried this veil and then that one. We tried this dress on and then again one more time and then once more. We sang it's praises and then voiced concerns, but I finally knew that it was the dress when I just didn't want to take it off. I'm so glad I found a dress. But what I really could jump up and down about is how greatly blessed I am to have such a circle of women in my family that will be so joyful with me in my joy, women that will surround me with love. That is what I felt like, like I was wrapped in a blanket of love. Thank you Mama, Mom Skaggs, Cathy, Cheryl and Micayla.

But this isn't the only example. From best friends to people I barely know, the news of my engagement brought squeals of joy, I'm serious, actual squeals. People at work often ask me for the latest in wedding plans and bring me little things like fake diamond ring key chains. I have been flattered by friends that have offered to throw showers, jump in and get their hands dirty with planning or just simply be there for me during this time. You know who you are. And all of this is not because of me, it's because of who women are. We stand by each other in joy. We squeal over weddings, we feel pregnant bellies, we gush over a newborn. We are also there for each other in times of pain. We cry together, we hash out our problems, we listen, and we care.

So, this post goes out to the ladies. We've got lots of issues as women, many can be attributed to hormones and men, but we are a darn good creation. We are strong, we are full of love, and we will be there for each other.

And to me, this is worth a million perfect dresses.