RyTy-888

I'm writing this today because I don't think I'm going to have time to write it tomorrow.

One of my bestest friends is getting married tomorrow and that would be Ms. Tiffani Mauldin :)

We met in, I think 1999, when she 'stole' my boyfriend... you would think that would make us instant enemies, which of course it did for a time- well more in my mind than hers- but after awhile the fates kept forcing us together, and we gave into the insanity and became fast friends.

I think it's her head in the clouds approach to my feet planted firmly on the ground that makes us a good match for each other. I just love her, there is no other way to put it.

We've been through a lot together... horrible, gut-wrenching break-ups, falling in love, freezing our butts off on a mountain for 6 months in the middle of no where, trips, holidays, family crisis, extreme life changes, babies, weddings, wounds, times of being on top of the world, times of being so low we can't breathe, times where we knew we needed to step in and say something, times when we knew it was better just to love... it's all there, in the genetic make up of our friendship...

I think I'm one of the few people who really gets Tiffani as she really gets me. It also helps that she is marrying the male version of me, which I think just lends itself back to the belief that she wishes she was marrying me, but we won't get into that :)

She is so ok with me just being emotional at times and I am so ok with sitting there listening to her reason everything out.

It's a unique match, and I can tell you, there is no other friendship out there like ours. It's one of those life long friendships that weaves itself so deeply into your core that there is no possible way to extract yourself without losing parts of who you are.

She is a part of my family. My parents view her as one of their daughters, she is always included for family dinners, events and more and has been so long before she met Ryan.

So now she is getting married to a guy that is like a brother to me... our families (The Benjamins and Fredericks) are close friends and have been so for 30 years. So it's like we are becoming sister-in-laws.

Tomorrow night, August 8, 2008 (888) she is getting married... it's going to be the ceremony she has always dreamed about.

I'll be there with her every step of the way, trying to a calming force in her life on that very crazy and emotional day. I'll try to protect her from unnecessary decisions and drama, letting her try to put the day in slow motion so she can remember the sights and smells and the overall feeling of excitement and anticipation.

So it's customary to give advice to the bride to be, and although you know a lot about the inner workings of marriage, here are a few things I've learned.

• Boys will be boys. They never really grow up and help Ryan find the things that keep him feeling like a boy and encourage (in moderation) him to do those things. It makes for a happier hubby
• At their center, guys just want to protect and provide for the ones they love. Don't undermine that and allow him to feel like he is doing that. Never be afraid to play the part of a woman in need, guys eat that up :)
• Pick your battles. Remember that your words are the most powerful weapons in his life. They have the power to make him feel like a king and the power to make him feel like a failure.
• Make intimate times with your husband a priority
• Find out the one major thing that makes him feel more relaxed at home, whether that is the living room picked up, laundry put away, no dishes in the sink, your bedroom always picked up, his favorite snack in the cupboard, whatever it is, try to always have that one thing done
• Just love him. Your husband is never perfect. He will say things to you that are not always right, but just always remember that you love him. That you made a commitment to him forever. Love, for the most part is a choice, so always choose him.
• Finally, keep your relationship with the Lord fresh and renewed and you'll find that keeping your marriage alive and healthy just naturally happens.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day and I couldn't be happier for my Tiff.

I love you girl.

















PS. They made it into the Dallas Morning News, click HERE for the article