have kindly sponsored

Gareth is getting packages from my friends in the U.S. I never get letters from the States, let alone packages. However, on this occasion I am letting it pass without complaint. It is from one of my bridesmaids and filled with all the invitation samples she has been collecting for us over the past couple of months. Her husband has been joking that their house is a post office for our wedding and I do not blame him. From the looks of the pile of invite samples that passed through our door today at least one entire rainforest was obliterated.

So now its up to Gareth to get to work and find one he likes. Now of course, the deadline for this task is a way off since someones family, er that is, my family still has not decided on a place, or a date, or any of the items you must include on an invitation. We are however one step closer this week as Gareths parents sent off a letter of introduction to my father which included their list, complete with addresses. Who knows, maybe this will be the catalyst for a decision.

Meanwhile, my father and stepmom are actually in Florida for the next two weeks. My father runs a baseball fantasy camp for the Detroit Tigers. People go down to Florida for spring training for a week or two, and train with their favourite baseball players. It would be the equivalent of someone loving Man U and being able to go spend a week playing football alongside the players. And it is his job! I am still amazed. While in some families the absence of a father and stepmom, practically half the wedding team, would put a halt to planning, in my family it only makes us stronger. I am expecting a call at any moment to mull over the details.

17 January 2000,

Stacie Lewis