Bride-to-be Blogger Kathleen: From Marla Hooch to Ladylike Bride

Kathleen's goal for the new year—and her Big Day.

Kathleen and her three brothers—or, those responsible, she says, for her awesome Marla Hooch ways.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Well, it’s that time of year in which many individuals set goals to become better versions of their current selves. I get the greatness in that—however, most people who set these “resolutions” just end up hoarding all of the treadmills and ellipticals at the gym, crowding up kick boxing classes, and make it impossible to find a parking spot at the gym for the first six weeks of the year. My visit last night to the gym basically forced me to park so far away that I was outside of a Five Guys burger joint, which isn’t exactly helpful. It is quite difficult to focus on executing left sidekicks with the scent of deep fried potatoes still lingering in your nostrils.

I thought to myself this morning that maybe I should set some sort of “resolution”—only I’m going to refer to it as a “growing opportunity.” For those of you who know me, you know that I’m not exactly much of a lady. (And for those of you who don’t: I’m not exactly much of a lady.) I never have been. I grew up in a house in the mountains with three brothers who made it almost impossible for there to be even the slightest trace of lady in my bones. Granted, I’m not 100 percent tomboy, but I get excited about wearing my red Phillies hoodie, a pair of jeans and getting elbow-deep in a bucket full of chicken wings (when I’m not trying to watch my figure, of course). I enjoy shore fishing and playing darts at the bar, I play every slow-pitch softball game like I’m in the state championships, and have a solid belching talent. Basically, picture Marla Hooch in A League of Their Own during the etiquette scene: Gracefully and grandly! I wouldn’t say I need to “play a lot of night games,” but I could use a little help in the “Sip! Down! Don’t Slurp!” department.

What better time than six months before I turn 30 and marry my best friend to start learning to be a bit more ladylike? I know that all of which is listed above is what makes me, me; but I think it is time I put a little more effort towards myself. I can play darts in a sharp pair of heels. I can play softball with a pink headband around my head. I can start wearing my hair down at work instead of schlepping it into a wet ponytail every morning. I can still crack jokes while wearing a nice dress and coordinating accessories. I can be a fine young woman and still eat chicken wings. Most importantly, I can also be the most beautiful woman my future husband has ever seen, walking down the aisle in a beautiful white gown on our wedding day.

What about you? Do you have any New Years/wedding goals other than losing a few lbs or toning up?

 

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