A poem written for me?

Do you ever read/hear/see something and think to yourself, "wow...that was meant for me?" I know it sounds silly, but since I've been with Justin, I tend to have this kind of moment on a regular basis. I've come to the conclusion that I need to start stockpiling everything I find somehow and perhaps make an attempt to utilize them in our wedding in some shape or form. Songs that inspire me could be played at the reception, or during a slideshow at the rehearsal dinner, quotes could be printed on programs, etc. There are a lot of ideas swimming around in my head.

Today I came across the most wonderful poem by Taylor Mali: Falling in love is like owning a dog. Check out the rest of his website and read his other poems too!

This...is perfect...we met because of our dogs, and to me, this poem not only speaks to us, but is a concept that most people comprehend. Plus, it is just so playfully put, but read it for yourself and you'll see!

Falling in love is like owning a dog

Taylor Mali

First of all, it's a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you're walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain't no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn't like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don't you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you're all wound up and can't move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

Certainly, if I were to have a reading of this somewhere...there would have to be a few edits (seeing as we don't live in New York for one thing)...but gosh, I just love it!

Have any songs, quotes, poems, etc. inspired you? What are they? And, if you are implementing them in your plans, how are you doing so?

Becoming a step-pawrent part 1

I have had a dog (or dogs) for as long as I can remember. When I was 2 years old, my parents brought home my first puppy, Kesha:

She was a complete and utter mutt...and probably one of the best dogs in the entire world (I know everyone says that about their pets though). She slept in my bed (even my crib!) with me every night when I was a child, up until the day that I left for college. Kesha never needed to use a leash on walks; she would never run away. We could just open up the front door and let her out, and she would promptly return after doing her "business."

Kesha also had a little brother, Gus, who was a bichon frise/maltese mix. Gus was a bit of a trouble maker...even though he was only 10 lbs, he would manage to get into the neighbors' garbage cans, throw up in inconvenient places (ohhh I have stories...), and run away at any chance he got. Gus was hyper, but despite everything, you still had to love him.

My senior year of high school, Kesha was 16, and Gus was 14. They were getting old and creaky, and pretty much slept the entire day. I guess my subconscious was aware of this, and I began sifting through the classified section in the newspapers on a daily basis. I knew I wanted to get another mutt (in my opinion, they are the best...they have great temperaments, few health problems, many don't shed, and are ridiculously cute!). One day, I came upon an ad for a litter of morkie (maltese/yorkie) puppies, and my heart started to pitter-patter. I somehow convinced my mom to go with me to the lady's house one afternoon. When we walked in the front door of the breeder's house, I saw a crate of puppies on the floor, filled with adorable little fluff balls!

Most morkies are black, with tan/white markings on their faces and bellies. However, there was one puppy that drew me. He was caramel colored...a completely different shade than the rest. I picked him up, and he immediately sat in my arms and closed his eyes as if to take a nap. I think my heart melted on the spot. Needless to say, my mother couldn't say no to him either, and we ended up driving home with a new puppy on my lap! It took me a few days, but I named him Theodore (Theo, for short), because he looked so much like a stuffed teddy bear!

Theo has been one of the greatest dogs I've ever had; we taught him to ring a bell that we tied to the front door when he needs to go out to the bathroom. How polite! Theo very rarely barks, unless someone is at the door...we thought he was a silent dog for a while there!

Then...one more joined the fold! For my brother's 16th birthday, a miniature dachshund became a part of our family. After much consideration, we named him Stuart, but we call him Stewie or Stu for short! He is the world's biggest scaredy-cat, and even though he has a long body, we like to say that he rides on the short bus. But he always wants to snuggle with you on the couch, and stares at you with his big doe eyes. It isn't fair!

So, what do all of these dogs have to do with my wedding, you ask? I am about to become a step-pawrent! And I'll tell you all about it...in my next post!