I've got to ask...

I have found that, from the moment after the engagement,  there are 3 questions brides-to-be will be asked over and over...and over.

Question # 1: "How did he ask?"
     Before Husband to Be (H2B for now) were engaged, I always loved asking brides this question. The stories always fascinated me. I've never been a super duper sappy romance kind of girl, but this was my little romantic indulgence.  I a creative type, so I marveled at the thoughtful and unique stories. I inwardly got a chuckle out of the super sappy ones. What I loved most was how each story fit the couple perfectly and whether or not I "liked" the way the engagement played out (which of course didn't matter in the least; the only important thing is that the engaged couple is happy), I appreciated how every story was the perfect fit for the girl or couple telling it.
    One day I'll tell you my story, but today that is not on the schedule.

Question # 2: "Have you picked a date?" or substitute for the equally common, "When's the date?"
     Inquiring minds need to know. Friends and family will want to find out if you plan to have a long engagement or short. The season will also be on their mind. Will you be a summer bride? Are you taking advantage of autumn colors? The date dictates a lot of what you will or won't be able to to, so it is always a hot topic of conversation. Quite understandably.
     H2B and I chose March, 23 (one year and a little over 2 months from when he popped the question)...in case you were itching to know.

Question # 3. "Have you found your dress?"
     You saw that one coming, didn't you? Asked especially often by women, and perhaps made an even more pressing curiosity since the flood of wedding shows like "Say Yes to the Dress", this question seems to be everyone's favorite.
     I started getting this question in February. We were engaged in January. So, by June, this question started to stress me out. I would think "No, I haven't even done much looking for a dress. I still have time, right? 9 months is enough time, right? Oh no! What if I am running out of time and I'll end up wearing a burlap sack to my wedding?"
    First of all, my friends and family meant no harm by the question...I'm just peculiar. And one of my special peculiarities is the ability to second-guess and stress about, well, just about anything. Second, I'm a simple girl and haven't spent my whole life dreaming of a wedding dress. Sure, as friends got married over the years and when I got engaged I started to take notice of styles and materials that I liked or absolutely did not like. But honestly, if I DID have to wear a burlap sack (no offense to any sacks reading this right now), it would be alright with me. At the end of the day, if H2B and I are legally married, everything will be perfect because the rest is gravy. So, I think the only reason the idea of running out of time for dress shopping scared me, was because I am such an organization freak. If I was behind schedule, I had failed myself in my favorite area: planning.
     So in July, after I returned home from a study abroad trip to Chile, I planned a time for me, my mom, and H2B's mom (affectionately called "the moms") to go shopping. I looked into consignment shops and sample stores...anything to save me a buck (or, let's be real, a hundred or *gasp* thousand) and made appointments. The shops were in Columbus, where I live, and Cincinnati, a little less than 2 hours away.
     I knew it was going to be a fantastic day. And it was. One of the best.
...But more on that later.