I have an announcement to make!

I hadn't really realized it, but I had been so focused on and excited for Mandy and Billy's wedding (rightly so) for the past few months, that I hadn't really had time to realize that my wedding is getting closer and closer. With 11 months to go till the wedding and another engagement party this coming weekend, I finally feel like this is really happening!! In addition, Chris and I have recently each added a sixth member to our bridesmaids and groomsmen and I'm so excited about it! Chris has added the newly married, and ever handsome, Billy Leef, and I am very happy to announce the addition of a dear friend of mine:

SMITH!! (or Lauren as some like to call her)

What can I say about Smith? As a fellow Schnecksvillian, I have known her as long as I've known Mal..about 23 years! But there is not a single person on the face of this earth other than Smith who I can say "I've gone to pre-school, kindergarten, junior high, high school AND college with." I mean...that's a lot of years, a lot of schools, and let me tell you...a lot of memories!

Wagner Ladies!

I could go rummaging through my old elementary school project videos right now...but I'll save those for another time. Buuut I do have some pictures courtesy of Smith's Facebook! This is her and me at the Schnecksville Diner after a fashion show we were in where we modeled pants my mom made us: circa 4th grade! Below is one of our many Mrs. Lerew piano recitals in elementary school.

Piano Recital: Lauren, Mal and Me!

Smith and I did shows together in High School after I dragged (and apparently forced?) her to audition for Once Upon a Mattress our Sophomore year: which she got in, and was hooked ever since! (I KNOW there's a picture around somewhere of us from that show!) The other thing I can say about smith is she has literally been there from the very beginning of me and Chris's relationship in college. She was one of my first friends from home to meet him, and was there for me through the typical drama and emotions that comes with a budding relationship and being 19. (She was a trooper)

Mets Game summer 2006

We both lived in the city the summer of 2006, the same summer I lived with Mal. I've seen countless ballets with her and her Uncle Dan, spent many a night hanging out in the apartment on Madison Avenue, I've spent more Christmas nights at her and Mal's house than I've even spent with Chris, and went on the Wagner Senior Cruise together. Smith has been a steady and solid friend over the years, and I am so happy to have her in my life, and excited to have her in my wedding!

WELCOME SMITH!

Senior Cruise 2007