they said "yes".

It's pretty much a well-known fact: us females would all be lost little souls without our lady friends. This statement somehow becomes even more true once you transition into the exciting, overwhelming, and manic world of bride-dom. The process of planning a wedding can be so harrying, and I fully intend on relying on my friends to get me through it with love. Cue The Beatles- "With a Little Help from My Friends".

It only took a day or two after Eric's proposal for me to start thinking about the women I wanted by my side on our wedding day. I always assumed I'd have a smaller bridal party, maybe three or four friends. It wasn't until I faced the reality of selecting my bridesmaids that I realized how impossible it would be for me to have only three or four. Let's be real, though, how awesome is it that that's the "problem" I faced? As I started to think about the ladies that have truly been there for me from the start of my relationship with Eric, I realized quickly that I am extremely blessed with so many wonderful friendships. Although I have dozens of friends that have been there for me throughout the years, I chose to ask a very particular group of women to be my bridesmaids. I asked the women that have truly gone above and beyond the definition of friendship over the past several years. I have laughed, cried, and bared my soul, secrets, and insecurities to these ladies, and still, they choose to continue being there for me time and time again. Not only that, but each of these ladies have also stolen Eric's heart, too! These are friends that will surely stay in my life for the decades to come-- of that, I have no doubt. They're so wonderful, in fact, that I want to dedicate a blog post to my NINE bridesmaids (Yes, NINE!! I told you I was blessed!). So, to all nine of you: I love you ladies more than you know, I feel so fortunate for the friendships I have with you all!

Maid of Honor: Madeline Marie Ruberg

Madeline Ruberg. 21. Senior at University of Oregon, studying Public Relations. Loves trashy reality TV, slow jams, and warm weather. The fact that Maddie is my Maid of Honor is no surprise, we've pretty much been planning on being each other's MOH's since learning what weddings are. Maddie is so much more than my sister; she really is my best friend. The first thing I did when I turned 18 was drive down to the seediest tattoo parlor in all of Seattle to get her initial etched behind my ear. Eventually, she did the same with mine. Maddie and I are the only two "kids" in the Ruberg family, so we naturally grew up very close. We relied on each other in the hard times, and reveled together in the happiest times. In the later years when the frequent moves became taxing for us, we adjusted to the new towns by being each other's only friends. She has carried me through the most vulnerable times of my life, and celebrated with me in the most happy times. She knows me better than I know myself. Maddie also happens to be the most thoughtful person I know. She spoils those she loves with everything she has to give, and I am so thankful that I happen to be her sister. Over the past few years, Maddie has truly adopted my new little family as her own, and Eric and I are so fortunate to have her love and support.

Bridesmaid: Abby Michelle Chambers

Abby Chambers. 24. Dietician Extraordinaire. Loves cowboy boots, whiskey, and Garth Brooks. Like many of my bridesmaids, Abby is a sorority sister of mine. We were in the same pledge class, so we met our freshman year at OSU. Upon moving into the KKG house sophomore year, her and I really clicked and became close friends. Abby is so down-to-earth, and has such a caring heart and compassionate soul. Not only that, but she's always down for a spontaneous good time. I'll never forget the time senior year that the two of us decided to skip our responsibilities and have our own little bar crawl on a weekday during Spring Term. We literally stopped by every bar on Monroe, and ended up dancing the night away at Impulse, the local college “club”, just the two of us. Whether it's a day together, weekend together, or an entire vacation together, it's always a blast. And somehow, our group always comes out of these weekends with a trademark “Abby quote” to commemorate it, such as, “it’s all down here from here”.  I also will be forever thankful to her for getting me in touch with my country side. Abby has an infectious laugh, and can out-tomboy the best of them. Seriously, challenge her to a belching contest. She'll beat you. 

Bridesmaid: Dallas Katherine Defrees

Dallas Defrees. 23. OMSI Camp Counselor that all the kids crush on. Loves microbrews, her ranch, and Harry Potter. Dallas is one of the best people I know. I just feel like I'm kindred spirits with her. I can't put a finger on why, but I seriously feel like Dallas and I have been best friends our whole lives. It's impossible for me to be around this lady and have a bad time. Dallas is one year younger than me, and I met her when she joined KKG my sophomore year. Throughout that year, our friendship grew to the point that we basically fell in love. The next year when she moved into the sorority house, our friendship blossomed even more and she became someone that I constantly sought out to do everything with. She's so laid-back, humble, adventurous, easy-going, smart, driven, kind, fun... I could keep going. One of my favorite terms living in the sorority house was during junior year when she and I became roommates. Even just hanging out and talking about nothing felt like the time of my life because she's so funny and awesome. She’s the type person that’s truly always there for her friends and listens when you need someone to talk to. She truly brings out the happiness in everyone, and I always feel like my best, most fun self when I'm with her. 

Bridesmaid: Dejia Elyse Morrell

Dejia Morrell. 25. Fashion Maven. Loves movies, saltwater taffy, and Beyonce. Dejia is by far the most unique friend I've ever had. Many people who are close to us giggle at our story of how we came into each other's lives so many years ago. I first knew of Dejia when I was 15 years old and living in Idaho. She went to the high school up the road from me, and somehow we learned that we were dating the same guy at the same time. So, naturally, we didn't start out as friends. Years later, I heard through the grapevine that we had both chosen to attend OSU. So, I reached out to her to see if we could put the past behind us and have each other as friendly faces in a place that would be new to both of us. We quickly became friends that first week in the dorms, ended up joining the same sorority, and the rest is history. This girl is one of the most fiercely loyal, fabulous, and sassy friends I've ever had. Dejia is always up for being lazy with me, I can't even count the number of movie nights (complete with winco bulk-candy runs) we have had. She calls it like she sees it and doesn't change for anybody, and I really love that about her. I love our silly piece of shared history, and how it luckily turned into a friendship I treasure. 

Bridesmaid: Liberty Rachma Pertiwi

Liberty Pertiwi. 23. Public Health Policy HBIC. Loves men in suits, coffee runs, and jet-setting. Liberty is the definition of a "sister friend". Like Abby, I met Liberty our freshman year when we both joined KKG. However, we didn't realize how destined we were to be “besties” until sophomore year. That year, Lib and I both moved into the sorority house a week early because of our on-campus jobs that we started in the late summer. So, there we were, just Liberty and I in a giant, empty sorority house. Naturally, we spent a lot of time together that week, and our friendship quickly blossomed into one of the closest I've ever had. Ever since, it's been her and I against the world. Some of the younger girls in the house even coined nicknames like "Libron" and "Libonica" because we've always been so attached at the hip. Liberty is also the reason Eric and I were introduced! She was friends with Eric's group of high school friends through leadership, and she's the reason our groups even got together for that fateful weekend trip to Pendleton. Even now that we're on opposite coasts from each other, we can't help but talk daily, constantly speak in inside jokes, and be continue to be "attached at the hip" from afar. 

Bridesmaid: MacKenzie Lambert Searles

Mackenzie Searles. 26. Master's in Anthropology. Loves intellectual discussions, holidays, and chocolate. Mack is just the best! This lady and I have become the female additions to the McOmie family. Mackenzie came first, as she has been in a relationship with Eric's older brother, Grant, for going on seven years! I met Mackenzie on a New Year’s Eve trip that her family hosted on Bainbridge Island back in the first few months of Eric and I dating. Ever since that trip, I have been so fortunate to have her as a friend in my new family. She has always been such a welcoming and friendly person, and is someone I always look forward to spending time with at McOmie family gatherings. This gal is as sharp as they come, and is always such a fun time; she's constantly starting games, competitions and conversation. She introduced me to Bocce Ball and Settlers of Catan, how can you now love that? Over the years, our friendship has grown into a relationship I feel so fortunate to have now, and for all of the years to come. 

Bridesmaid: Madison Christine (soon to be Hogan) Parker 

Madison Parker. 25. Just graduated with her Master's in Communication. Loves the women of SNL, open-mindedness, and pork. I'll always remember first meeting Madison. We were in the TV room at KKG, it was within the first couple weeks of us getting our bids. A group of us new members were sitting around introducing ourselves and trying to remember each other's names. When it came time for Mad to introduce herself, she just said "Hi, my name is Madison, and I have no cartilage in my nose". Then she proceeded to push down on her nose until it was completely flat. I already was sold. Then it came to be my turn to introduce myself, and after I said my name she blurted out, "Can I call you Ron Ron?" I responded with, "Only if I can call you Mad Mad". So, that's who we've been to each other since. We proceeded to become roommates at our live-out senior year, which brought on some of the best college memories I have. However, I think the real magic in our friendship happened after we graduated. Mad is engaged (married in less than a week!) to an awesome guy named Tyler, and Eric and I started spending a lot of time with them after graduation. Because of that, we've become especially close in these last few years, and I'm now wondering how we went so long without realizing how inseparable we're meant to be. Madison is someone who I constantly look to as a role model, because, deep in her core, she is a solid, good person. She's one of the very few people in this world that makes me want to actively better myself, and I'm so thankful for that.

Bridesmaid: Sara Anna Elizabeth Schumacher

Sara Schumacher. 24. Ingenious Graphic Designer. Loves adventure, late-night hangouts, and competition. My first memory of Sara was when we happened to be placed in the same "walking group" during recruitment freshman year. Anyone who knows Sara will tell you she's one of the most competitive people you'll ever meet, and I remember immediately feeling this sense of rivalry with her. I don't know what it was, but as soon as we found out we both wanted to be Kappas, there was an unspoken sense of, "oh, it's on" (ohhh, to be a freshman). Fast forward to bid day, Sara and I both open our bid cards, realize we both made it into the oh-so-coveted KKG, glance at each other across the room with ironic humor in our eyes, and our competitive fronts instantly melted. (for all of you counting, that's Abby, Dejia, Liberty, Madison, and Sara all from PC'08 in KKG!) Now thinking back on it I chuckle, because this girl can literally make "It’s December and I'll stick my hand out of the car longer than you will" a game. That first interaction with her is so true to who she is and the quirk I so love about her. Ever since then, Schu has been one of my dearest friends. She is completely adored and loved by so many because she is one of the most fun, spontaneous, and caring people you’ll find. She has touched so many lives and I feel blessed to be one of them. Any time with Sara is guaranteed to be wonderful memory, and I completely treasure the many memories we've made throughout the years. 



Bridesmaid: Sara Michelle Weaver

Sara Weaver. 24. Fabulous Interior Designer. Loves fashion, creativity, and city life. Sara has such a special place in my heart, because in an otherwise very difficult part of my life, she provided me with happiness, love, and laughter. I first met Sara during the first weeks after my transfer to Skyline High School in Sammamish, WA. She will have no problem telling you-- I was a scary little nightmare at first. So, for obvious reasons, our friendship didn't blossom immediately. However, both of us transferred to the local community college for our senior year, forgoing normal high school life. We ran into each other on campus one day, and it just clicked. In the final months leading up to our departure to our respective colleges, we spent so much time together and quickly grew a deep friendship. Even though Sara and I only spent about nine months being friends in the same town, we have continued to grow our friendship through the last six years of being long-distance friends! She has the most contagious smile, loving soul, compassionate heart, and is so thoughtful. She even returned my proposal to be my bridesmaid (which I sent via card) with an acceptance via flowers delivered to my desk at work. How amazing is that? No matter what, I know that Sara is there for me through thick and thin despite any distance that comes between us. 

...WHEW! There you have it folks. The nine ladies that will keep me sane and walk down that ailse with me next year. Am I lucky, or what?

negative one-year.

Today marks the negative one-year wedding anniversary for Eric and I! That's right, in one short year, we'll be celebrating our marriage (and the 470-day anniversary of it) with our loved ones at a gorgeous vineyard in Salem, OR.

Just last weekend, I took several of our family members out to the venue for the first time. They were all floored. I was floored! This place is just gorgeous. I hadn't seen the venue since the initial tour Eric and I took, and it was so different to see it in August, and to see it as "our wedding venue". We had seen it in April, and while it was still beautiful then, seeing it in the month that our wedding will take place was amazing. The sun was shining, the flowers were all bloomed, and picturing our day suddenly seemed much easier.

See what I mean? This place is just stunning. It's so us-- earthy, secluded, rustic, and beautiful.

Coincidentally, last weekend I also spent a day with my mama in other parts of Oregon wine country for her birthday present! Back in March, I got us a 4-stop winery tour with Embrace Oregon, and we finally used it. It was such a fun time, and we even made friends with our tour buddies. Nothing brings strangers together better than 5 hours of wine drinking!

As for our army man, he's still working away in Texas, awaiting the day they fly off and leave. That day is still not certain. In fact, it changes quite often, and he's not allowed to tell anyone when it is. But, we know it's going to be pretty much any day now. So, I'm just sitting here waiting for the news to reach me that he's left, basically. The process feels pretty cruel, but that's just how it works. He's very excited to get started-- to do his work well, and come home safely with all of his guys. I'm excited too in a way, because the sooner he gets this started and checked off the list, the sooner he's done and we're back to a normal, civilian life. These next months are going to be some of the hardest I experience, but there's an end in sight, and I am excited to inch closer towards that end. In the meantime, thank goodness for the derpy, and not-so-derpy selfies he can still text me. There's no better negative one-year anniversary present like a soldier selfie.

two.

On Friday, August 1st, our fur baby turned two years old.

Perry, I remember the day we decided that our life was just a little lonely, and that it was time we add a dog to our little family.

We bounced around several ideas of what kind of dog to get. Eric wanted a hunting dog, and I just wanted a dog I could cuddle with without going into anaphylactic shock. So, we did our best to compromise. We'd get a dog that was part retriever, part poodle. That compromise pretty much guaranteed your dad would be aced out of getting his hunting dog, but he was excited by the potential of adding a family dog to our lives.

Eric spent a few days scouring the internet while I was at work, looking for listings of new litters online. Nothing was quite matching what we were looking for until he happened upon a posting from the Oregonian. A woman in Lebanon, OR had a Golden Retriever and a Goldendoodle, and they recently had a litter. 

When I got home from work, Eric eagerly showed me the posting to see what I thought. That's when I first saw your little face, and the faces your brothers and sisters. You were adorably named the "Coffee Crew", and your siblings had names like "Latte", "Java", "Mocha" and "Chai". Your name was Biscotti.

We immediately contacted Suzie, the woman selling the litter, and she told us she would be heading to our area with the four remaining puppies in the litter to show them to another prospective buyer. Without hesitation, we set up a meeting and anxiously awaited meeting our potential puppies.

A few days later, we headed to Clackamas Town Center and found Suzie in the parking lot. There you were in her trunk, just six weeks old, with your sister Cappuccino, and brothers Joe (as in "cup of joe") and Rebel. Rebel was named for his unusually curly hair.

We spent some time holding and playing with each of you. Cappuccino was a little too wound-up. Rebel was a little too distracted. But you and Joe, we clicked with. Both of you melted into our arms when we held you, and licked our faces. We were sold on two puppies. We told Suzie we were definitely interested, paid our deposit, and spent the next two weeks you needed to be with your mom deciding between you and Joe. 

If we could've, we would've taken both of you. Unfortunately we didn't have the means to, and knew we had to decide on just one. I called Suzie for advice, and she told me that if we wanted a dog that was attentive, involved and affectionate, we should take "Biscotti". Eric wanted a female dog anyway. So with that, we decided on you. We immediately decided to name you Perry. 

We spent the next two weeks eagerly awaiting the day we could pick you up and make you ours! The day finally came, and we headed to Corvallis to meet Suzie's son and pick you up. Before long, you arrived to us just as adorable as before, and much bigger! We spent that whole first day ooh-ing and ahh-ing at your cute puppy face, giggling at your clumsiness, and holding you as you napped.

That whole first year, you spent your entire puppy life growing up in two homes. Eric still lived in Corvallis and was wrapping up his degree at OSU, and I was living in Beaverton working my first job out of college. You stayed with your dad in Corvallis during most weeks, and I would spend weekends with you. Sometimes I would come down to Corvallis, but usually your dad would drive up to Beaverton. He spent a lot of time driving and making sure the three of us were together as much as possible. During the times he had army trainings, you would stay with me and be in your crate while I was at work. I was so nervous you would hate it, but you did really well. Despite growing up in two homes with two very different routines and environments, you became a very well-mannered puppy.

On the weeks that you would stay in my apartment while I worked, Your granddogmom was a huge help. She would come over on most days to make sure you had some time to get out and have some fresh air. Did you know that she didn't even really like dogs that much before you? Did you know you completely changed her mind? Did you know that your companionship and love brightened some of her hardest days? You completely turned her world upside-down. Now, she spoils you more than anyone she loves, and that's saying quite a lot.

Now, you're two. You've accomplished a lot and have really become a good dog in these past two years. You have lived in three homes, and you're about to move to your fourth. You have become an excellent swimmer. You know how to sit, lay down, high five, shake, roll over, and stay. You never bark just to bark; only when you think someone may deeply hurt the ones you love, like when someone knocks on the door. I know how much that disturbs you. You still jump up on people that you're excited to see. I know it's hard to contain your love, but we'll work on it some more. You're the only dog I know that will actually drop a slice of pizza when told to "drop it". You're a good girl.

Your favorite food is carrots. You also like anything you can get when we accidentally drop food from the table. You love ice cubes and laying in your pool. You love the beach. You love to nap and lay on the couch with me and your dad when it's quiet time. You cuddle with us at night before we fall asleep, and come back up for more cuddles when you can tell we're waking up. You never rush us to wake up, but are very happy when we do. I can tell that you miss your dad while he's gone. Whenever he leaves, you need more cuddles and affection because you're sad, but hearing his voice over Skype makes you happy.

Vets, groomers, and day care owners always make a point to tell me how much they love you. You have such a sweet demeanor and loving presence. You make us humans feel warm, safe, and comforted. You know, when you're a little older and more calm, I think you'd make a great therapy dog. It's something we'll work towards. 

Perry, you are so loved. You're loved by everyone you meet. In these past two years, you have given us so much happiness that we would never take back for the world. You're a true companion, and are the living example of your kind's reputation of "man's best friend". We are so thankful for the years we've had, and the years to come. Happy birthday, sweet girl.