Change of plans.

We're getting married here, in New York City, on Friday, January 20, 2006. We're having a simple civil ceremony, then spending the day with Jen & Alex, Lauren and Todd. Lauren has graciously agreed to take lots of lovely pictures of us around the city, then we'll stop for a swank cocktail or two before having a nice dinner out.

The following day, January 21st, hopefully those of you who are able will join us for a drink at Madame X. Not a "reception" per se, but a gathering of friends to celebrate and share in our happiness.

Now for the explanation.

When Mike first told me he wanted to marry me, nearly a year ago, our first thought was to do something small here in the city we've chosen to call home. New York is expensive, and we knew we wouldn't be able to do a big "thing" here - and we were okay with that. It's not about the big party, it's about what comes after that's important. I've had a big wedding... this time I want a marriage.

Then Mike came up with the idea of getting married at my parents' timeshare at Orange Lake. It was a lovely idea, to go someplace warm and sunny next fall, with a handful of our family and friends, and have a laid-back celebration, but as we got deeper into the planning, the wedding we were shooting for just... disappeared. It became something unrecognizable, something bigger than what we wanted or could afford. It just got too darn stressful, which is definitely not the feeling I wanted to associate with this occasion.

And honestly, the whole Florida thing, though a great idea at first, just never felt as right as our original plan did. And does. In fact, deciding to stay in New York City and marry here feels so right, that I have absolutely no doubt that we are doing exactly what we should be.

So, knowing with complete certainty what we wanted to do, where, and how, it just seemed silly to wait. We've given this so much thought already, and been through so much together, I can't imagine anything happening now to change our minds (and I really hope I'm not tempting fate, here). January seems to have worked out really well for my parents, too - they'll celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary the weekend Mike and I wed. Good karma, I think.

So that's the scoop. I do wish that those of you who are far away could be here, but honestly, I think Mike and I both know that you love us, and we'll carry your happiness and wishes with us on that day. Hopefully, we'll be able to visit you all at some point in 2006.