Do you remember me saying I got my first boyfriend senior year of high school? Well three years later Joe got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

Hysterical tears and laughter were the order of the day. He really asked me! I have an engagement ring! I'm getting married! I weigh more than I ever have in my life!

Uh..wait a minute. I weigh more than I ever have in my life. Once the initial shock and thrill of being engaged to the love of my life subsided, I began to dread wedding dress shopping. I didn't want to do it. I didn't want the fuss, the opinions, the look of my body in a form-fitting dress (no way was I going ball-gown either.) I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

My wedding dress sort of snuck up on me. My grandmother, mother, sister and I were in Carmel, CA for a day and they suggested we look in a few boutiques. I reluctantly agreed. Eh, why not. My mom and sis teared up when I put on a flowy gown made of organza. It was beautiful, but the price tag made it clear it was not for me. The second boutique was smaller and a little sketchy...the owner was about 60 and had overly-bright red hair. She was about to close when we popped in. I tried on a sweetheart satin gown (about a thousand dollars cheaper than the first dress) and knew it was the one. It made me look curvy and held me in at all the right places. Love at first sight.

I loved how I looked in it, but as it was strapless, I knew I had some work to do if I was going to wow Joe at the altar.