The Last Post

(from my wedding countdown app)

There are times in my life when I'm keeping track of 'firsts'. These days, I'm mostly keeping track of 'lasts'. The last time I'll be home with my parents without Devin. The last time I'll sleep alone. The last time I'll be around with my family as the only single one (which I have to say has been a ton of fun). The last time I'll go grocery shopping for just myself. And the list goes on...

With just a short ceremony and the words "I do" everything will switch to the firsts that Devin and I will experience as a married couple, which I couldn't be more thrilled about! I feel like I'm having such a great transition. I've loved my life over the past year or so as a single girl. I've lived it up and done what I wanted to do. So because I've been enjoying myself, the lasts can be a tad bittersweet. But then, they aren't, because I'm so looking forward to all the firsts I'll have as a newly married woman. And when you are marrying the most amazing guy in the world, it's hard to feel any sadness at moving on to a new stage of life.

But for tonight. I post to you for the last time as single Emily. The single Emily who brought you the crazy and carefree college years with pranks and girl parties and trips. The single Emily in the shaky year post-college with some rough times, but good learning experiences. The single Emily who grew up a lot after college, drew closer to God and settled in to what was a great working/single life. And then, what seemed to be many people's favorite, the engaged Emily, who brought you tales of falling in love and wedding excitement. 

So here I sit on the eve of my wedding in my parent's living room. It's getting late and others have gone to bed. I feel like I should probably be nervous or scared or stressed. But I'm not. I'm just feeling very, very grateful. Thankfulness pours out of me for the work God has done in my life. For the phenomenal parents and siblings I had the honor of being raised by/with (I could go on and on about how lucky I am). For putting me into the PYG as a new Christian and the lifelong friendships that developed as a result. For bringing my mentors into my life post-college. And now, for dropping Devin into my life as such a major answer to prayer and yet another display of God's faithfulness and how He provides abundantly, above anything I could imagine.

In each stage of life, God has shown me that He is faithful.
(If only I didn't always have to re-learn the lesson as I enter a new stage with different problems and anxieties.)

So I bid you farewell as single Emily. Though, don't get too excited...married Emily probably won't be tons different. Thanks for caring about my life. You've been a fun crowd. See you on the other side! (Meaning, when I post after the honeymoon as Mrs. W...no, this isn't a goodbye blogging post...I know, you were really scared.)

17 comments:

Amber said...

Thinking of you Em - soak in every beautiful and fun moment of the day. My wedding day is still my favorite day . . .God is good!

you'll be a beautiful bride. lots of love . . .

sarah.flyingkites said...

Love this post. So thankful God brought the 2 of you together and you are so excited about entering this new stage!

Hope the weekend is perfect. You will all be in my prayers!

Christen Leigh said...

Haha ok for some reason I almost cried reading this....like I have big pools of tears in my eyes right now. :) I don't know if that was the response you were hoping to elicit, but you did in me. I am SO thrilled for you guys and can't wait for tonight! See you SOON!!


Goinnnn to the chapel and we're gonnnnnnna get marrieeedddd..... :)

Kim said...

I got all teary eyed too! You are amazing Miss Emily Gutwein! Love you!

bri said...

Have an amazing day and an amazing honeymoon! Congratulations!!!!!!

L, Ann and boys said...

Thinking of you on such a special day. The fact that your friends are most happy for you during such a fun time in your life speaks volumes to me on who you have chosen to be close to. Keep friends who will cry and rejoice with you. =)

Sandra said...

May God bless your day!! So happy for you and pray its a wonderful beautiful day!
Congrats!!!

This post made me think back to my wedding day 11 years ago....oh the joy, the excitment, the love....I could do it all over again for those reasons and many more!! Best day!

laura said...

This, too brought tears to my eyes because I have been so incredibly blessed with your friendship over the years and I have had the privledge to watch you grow into such an amazing woman. You inspire me and I wish you nothing but the best today. Congratulations! I know that today is everything you could dream of and more! Love you!

smw said...

Teary, here, too. It's still so crazy to me how all this has come to be! Have a wonderful day and honeymoon!

Jodi said...

Oh Em! I love you dearly! I pray that you and Dev and everyone present feel God's presence today! :)

Daveana said...

Oh Em! I almost cried with the sheer sadness of you not blogging! GAH! What an evil post title ;) Many blessings to you for your wedding day and super fun honeymoon. Enjoy the warm weather! Glad I can be a part of your life!

Love you tons!

leah said...

oh man...tears & more tears...if that what you were going for, success!

what a beautiful post! we love you SO much and have loved being a part of your single life & excited it's not over! God is so so so good!

you are sooo special to me! see you soon! :)

Ashton said...

Happy wedding!

Enjoy it, and the honeymoon, and all the times to come. Marriage is good.

God Bless!

Sara Huber said...

Beautiful post, beautiful comments from some pretty amazing women. Here's to many fun and blessed "firsts" to come...God is good! See you very soon!!!

Daish said...

Yeah, I got teary too. As of now, you are married! and your last name is Wieland. Who would've ever guessed? Thought of you guys all day...

Tami said...

Emily...
I read this tonight (Saturday)...about 30 hours after the wedding. I know I was there as the photographer, but I just have to tell you that it all just touched my heart so much. I was glad I had a camera over my face for a lot of the night 'cause I kept finding the tears you wanted to avoid. I have SO LOVED getting to be a small part of this. I don't say this to my "clients" very often, but it's not often that my clients are my friends as well...but I really LOVE you and Devin. I really really do.

Ashley Neuen said...

So exciting....becoming a married gal! Hope you're having a blast in good ole punta cana right now!!