Our Final Nights Unfettered

One of the many things I like about my relationship with Dennis is the value we both place on our independence. We enjoy spending time together, but we enjoy spending time apart, too, and we don’t think that’s a bad thing. I like it when he goes out with the boys without me (unless they’re playing poker. I always want to be invited if there is poker), and he doesn’t mind when I want to get drinks with the girls or meet up for brunch without him.

When we were trying to figure out our vacation plans for before the wedding we realized there was no need for us to be together the whole time. Besides, Dennis doesn’t have nearly as much vacation time as I do, so it made sense for me to take more time off than him.

I ended up flying out to Portland 2 weeks before the wedding to spend time with my family and friends. It was incredibly relaxing, despite the amount of last minute stuff that needed to get done. I also got to spend a lot of time with my mom, which was much needed. That’s when she taught me to sew!

And Dennis still found a way to spoil me from DC. Soon after I arrived in Portland so did the most amazing bouquet I’ve ever seen!

Flowers from Dennis

My friend Kelly was also able to come visit me during that time, since she couldn’t make it to the wedding. We spent a night in Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast and saw some touristy Portland things. She also got a true taste of Portland in that the sun didn’t come out once the entire time she was visiting.

Dennis flew in with Anish on the Saturday before the wedding. They stayed with me and Kelly at my parents’ house for the first night and joined us for drinks in the Tiki Lounge (a bar in my parents’ barn).

The Tiki Lounge

The next morning we went on a little tour of Portland. We walked around rainy downtown, strolling through Saturday Market and standing in line at VooDoo Doughnuts.

Driving around town

We also took a detour over to St. John’s to visit Adie and the ever adorable Griffin, followed by a quick stop at Cathedral Park.

Griffin Oxley!

Cathedral Park

Eventually Dennis, Anish, and Jason headed to the apartment they had rented through AirBnB. It was on Mississippi, right above a bar and walking distance to everything a group of bachelors could need.

The boys spent the week touring around the city, hitting up bars and clubs, and enjoying their freedom. I did have to steal Dennis occasionally, though, for random errands like picking up the marriage license and stuffing favor boxes.

Eventually it came time to head down to the coast. Dennis and I rented a 5-bedroom house in Newport where we were staying with a bunch of friends. It was beautiful.

Main room

Dennis and our friends stayed at our beach house on Thursday night (the night before the wedding). I stayed with my parents at the beach house they had rented, along with my Uncle Matthew and my best friend from high school, Christy.

Matthew and Christy

I think it was fun to not spend too much time with Dennis right before the wedding. It felt good for us both to get lots of time with our friends and family, many of whom we don’t get to see very often. We feel so blessed that they all came together to be with us for our big day, October 4, 2013.