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I feel like my life is suddenly being surrounded by weddings. In October, my friend Anna Taylor married her boyfriend Jack Kramer at a ceremony in the MSU Alumni Chapel. It was a wonderful wedding, with the reception in a ballroom in the Union. I was so excited to go to my first wedding as a “grown up,” having only gone to my Aunts and Uncles weddings when I was five and eleven, being a member of the bridal party. This time, I sat and watched an interfaith marriage (Jack is Jewish, Anna is Protestant), and they solidified their love through vows.

Joanne and Tom will be married in August, as I spoke of in my last entry. Once again, I’ll be a bridal party member, but it is different as an adult. I have new responsibilities and relationships with the rest of the party.

Yesterday, my father came to visit. He has been dating his girlfriend, Inez, for 18 months. They have spoken about getting married, but haven’t done the official “engagement” yet. He revealed his plans to me at lunch. He is in the process of buying a diamond, as well as a ring setting. We’re all headed to NYC for a weekend in June, for my grandmother’s 80th birthday party. Inez’s birthday is the Sunday of that weekend. The plan is for them to go to a late dinner on Saturday night. Then, he will take her for a horse and buggy ride through Central Park and propose at midnight, on her birthday. It sounds wonderfully romantic, grand, and cheesy… and I’ve never been happier for him. He deserves this. If he’s happy, I’m happy.

With a wedding, naturally comes the aftermath. This means a step mother and four step siblings. One of the children moved to Israel and became ultra orthodox; I highly doubt he will attend the wedding or ever really be a part of my life. However, the others will be a part of family holidays and traditions. Their family will, essentially, become mine and my brother’s family. We are grown up, therefore the living situation is not as much of an issue. Visiting will be strange, but eventually we’ll get used to it. It will become normal. Again, if my father is happy, we’re happy.

In the end, love is in the air. Weddings will come and pass, but it’s the new level of relationship created that matters the most. I wish the best for all three of these couples and hope that they never have broken hearts.