1 month from today....I thee wed!

Well, looky here! We're only 1 month out from the Coffer-Rademacher nuptuals....and I can hardly even believe it. Wow. It's hard to stay focused during work when all I want to do is be playing on the beach with my family and friends and marrying the greatest guy around. Who wants to work?? It's hard to believe we were engaged almost 15 months ago...and it's down to only 1 month!

John & I are both finalizing all the details....the last minute stuff that brings everything together. We've written our vows, finalized the dinner menu....just one thing checked off the list at a time, but making amazing progress. It's been such a fun and exciting last few months....I just can't wait to say "I do" to John. How cool.

Writing my vows was such a fun and beautiful process. I had to ask myself, what are the promises I want to make to John, in front of God and our family and friends? How can I truly express what I'm feeling? How can I put the love I feel into words? It seems daunting and impossible to convey it all in 2 or 3 minutes....but I know that the words and promises will come from my heart. I'm so excited to hear what he has to say, and the words he's written for me. I also can't wait to say the traditional wedding vows too....they are all promises and committments I've made to John already in my heart, but it will exciting and wonderful to have it blessed and official. 1 month...just 1 more month.

So....the countdown is on. The packing list has been started, and the big "to do" list nearly all checked off....I can't WAIT!!

Well, I am a guest blogger...ok, not really a guest, but a stand-in for my ever-popular, expert blogger, and amazing finacee Heidi...

I cannot wait for October to roll around...I cannot wait to spend two weeks in Hawaii with my friends and family, to show my kids what a real beach looks like, and I am over-the-top excited to get married to the beautiful and talented Ms. Rademacher. Those of you who know her already know how amazing she is, but like Evan in Superbad, I want to shout it from the rooftops...however, this blog will have to do for the time being.

Before that, I do want to share some things I have learned throughout this wedding-planning process...in no particular order:

1. I now truly believe there is a color called, medium dark tealish blue green.
2. Just because you adjust the cost of something in a budget spreadsheet to reflect what you paid for it does not mean you are "on budget"
3. It is possible to love someone more and more each day
4. Vows you make during the wedding ceremony are not the same as things you would say in a toast.
5. Microsoft might have a discount for just about anything.
6. No matter how much you have booked, paid for, planned for, you are never close to done.
7. The snorkeling company we used in Maui last time needs to do a better job of advertising.
8. Eight is my favorite number...I didn't learn this through the wedding process, but seemed appropriate filler for number 8.
9. A "casual" wedding may mean no tux, but it doesn't really mean casual
10. Apparently Heidi has to get makeup, hair and nails done, get into her dress, put on here shoes, make adjustments to all of it, and all I have to do is "show up".

This blog-site is dedicated to keep people informed about the going's on with Heidi and I, but I think it needs to go beyond that to explain just how special this day is, how special she is.

So here are a few comments about what I have learned about and from her, and what she means to me. There are not enough words to express how happy I am to have met Heidi. She has taught me not only to love again, but to love without reservation or conditions...unconditional love. She is there at a moment's notice when needed, by anyone. She has shown me that I can do anything, and inspires me to accomplish things I never thought possible. I see the joy she brings to her friends, family, Skyler and Spencer, and it takes me aback. She is beautiful, smart, compassionate, caring, funny, and wise. She is my everything, my best friend, the last person I want to talk to when I go to bed, and the first when I awake. I cannot think of a person I would rather marry than Heidi Kirsten Rademacher.

I am still trying to figure out what I did to get her to love me...but then again, I don't really care about the "hows"...

I now return you to your regularly scheduled blogger...see you in Maui!

John

9 Month Countdown....

Today, January 8, 2009 marks exactly 9 months from our wedding day. The countdown is officially on!

We're still making great progress on the planning, yesterday we booked our jeep (through Dollar rental car) and our honeymoon hotel (the Westin Kaanapali), and also booked our rehearsal dinner at the Old Lahaina Luau. We've reserved enough space at the luau for our entire group of wedding guests, and truly hope everyone will be able to join us on Wednesday night (10/7) for a great evening of lava flows and hula dancing and roasted pig. Who could resist that?

Next on our list is to book an officiant, my day-of-wedding hair/make-up, and figure out transportation back to the condo post-wedding dinner. Sigh.

9 months...crazy. I'm so grateful that we have the time to tackle one thing at a time and really enjoy the process. If I had my choice, we'd be in Maui today reciting our vows and celebrating with all of our close family and friends...but since it's 75 degrees and raining in Maui today...perhaps it's best we wait out the 9 months anyway!

The countdown is on!!

Ring-a-ling

John and I just wrapped up a great weekend of seasonal bliss!! We squeezed in nearly the last of our Christmas shopping, weathered our first snow together in Issaquah and had a great Holiday dinner with John's family and friends in downtown Bellevue, including an overnight stay at the Hyatt. Good times, good cheer! On top of that, we spent some quality time at Alvin Goldfarb's in Bellevue picking out our wedding bands. There are so many choices out there, so many beautiful designs and sparkly options...how do you choose? Making the decision to use some of the diamonds from my mom's wedding band did help narrow the choices (there is only so much you can do with square-cut diamonds)...and John and I landed on a beautiful custom design that will incorporate my mom's diamonds while at the same time, create something fresh and new for us. It's just beautiful! John has a favorite in mind too...but may want to look a little more before we seal the deal. ;-) We also picked out my permanent engagement band, and hopefully I'll be wearing that before the new year! So exciting...one more thing to gleefully check off the list. This weekend will mark 6 months from our engagement and 1 1/2 years dating...time truly flies when you're in love and having fun! ho, ho, ho!

The Save the Date cards are outbound!

This has been a busy and exciting week in the Coffemacher household. Not only did we finalize and mail out our save the dates...BUT, we also booked our airline tickets! The kids have been booked both ways (thank you, thank you, thank you Ian!), and John and I have secured our "to" flights. John, Skyler, Spencer and I all head out on October 3, 2009! In only 323 days, we'll be sitting on a plane bound for beautiful Maui! It's 72 degrees in Maui right now...pure bliss.

Some of our friends and family have already started booking airfare and accommodations (in the Valley Isle, yahoo!) as well. It all makes it so real and truly, truly exciting. I can't believe I get to marry this man and spend my life with him. I can't believe I get to exchange vows with him on a beautiful beach in Maui, surrounded by family & friends. Magic. It's all going to happen...in just 328 more days.

Happy 16 month Anniversary!

It was 16 months ago today that Mr. Coffer and I had our very first date at the Purple Cafe in Kirkland. Wow. It's a little overwhelming and extremely exciting when I take a moment and think about how much has changed in my life in 16 short months.

John and I are in love. He is my best friend. We are engaged to be married next October. Wow. We now share a warm and almost-moved-in home together, which is simply awesome. I now have 2 very funny, sweet, strong minded and smart kids in my life that I love and have responsibilities for. I go to flag football and soccer games on Saturdays, and cut up oranges for snack day. I have a great, new family that lives in Covington and Ocean Shores who have welcomed me with open hearts and a ton of great memories already.

All the changes are blessings, every single one of them. It's just so crazy to imagine my life before John. And, let me tell you....I had a GREAT life. INCREDIBLE and supportive friends. A wonderful and loving family. A fantastic job, a wonderful home. Seriously...it was amazing! But, if its even possible, and by some kind of miracle, being together makes everything even better. The sun is truly warmer. The sky is really bluer. The rough days melt away much quicker after spending a few moments with him. I always knew love would be incredible, but being with John has exceeded any of my expectations, any of my dreams, and life...life is just good.

Here's to the next 16 months and beyond!

365 Days from Today!

GLORIOUS!! It's 10 am right now and 81 degrees in Lahaina...sunshine, blue skies and just lovely (this is a picture from a live webcam)! So....let's hope that in 365 days...we are as blessed!

Finally, the 1-year countdown begins. We've made great progress on the planning, and you should be receiving a "save the date" in the mail soon (probably the first week of November).

Here's to all of us lifting a delicious Lava Flow together next year at this time!