Gel nails and special days.

The problem with gel nails is that you can’t get the dang things off.

That, and the fact they can cost $40.

I mean, sure, it’s awesome that they don’t chip and they dry instantly, but after about two weeks, you spend 10 days picking at them trying to get the suckers off, only to find out that your real nails are more damaged than a 15-passenger van after a mission trip.

I could be reasonable about the whole thing and go to a nail salon and ask them to take them off or something I guess, but I’m scared they’ll try to talk me into getting another set and then I’ll feel bad and I’ll want to say no because I can’t afford it, but there will be a 50% chance I’ll say yes, so instead, I just pick at them.

For 10 days.

And I look like I lack basic hygiene abilities.

I got the nails for April’s wedding.

I was the maid of honor, so I figured, if there’s ever a time for gel nails it’s the day you’re the maid of honor in your best friend’s wedding.

Between that and fake eyelashes, there’s 75% chance that I looked better on her special day than I will for my own.

Of course, that’s assuming I’ll have my own.

I’d like to think special days don’t have to be weddings though. I’d like to think that I’ve already had a handful of really special days.

Like the day I got my master’s Degree. Or the day my sister had to do a project about someone she admires and she did the project about me, and even drew a portrait of my face, complete with the part in my bangs that always happens by the end of the day even thought I want my bangs to go straight across.

Or the day I got a car with heated seats and automatic start.

Or the day I experienced my first youth mission trip foot washing ceremony and I prayed over 19 kids and cried for three hours straight because the power of the holy spirit was that overwhelming. Or the first day of the first Sweets and Snacks Expo I ever covered, where I literally walked across a threshold into Candy Land, Illinois.

Or the day I stood at the top of a mountain and looked down over Bogota, Colombia, the most beautiful city in the world.

Ya, I’d like to think that I’ve had a couple special days here and there.

On exactly none of those days though, was I wearing fake eyelashes and gel nails, so I’m not really sure if they count.

I’d like to think they do though. That maybe, for me, it will be completely all right if I’m unwed forever.

And if a husband happens to come along, I can tell him all about the heated seats and the foot washing and Bogota, while I sheepishly hide my half-picked gel nails.

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Maid of Honor Speech

Editor’s Note: My very best friend April got married this past weekend and I was the maid of honor. Below is the text to the toast I gave to the bride and groom. 

Wow. Just. Wow.

April Colleen Eichele is married. Excuse me, April Colleen Fitzhugh.

Whatever her last name is though, this girl is Amazing.

Incredible actually. Absurdly wonderful, furiously beautiful, and outlandishly fantastic.

And thank God above she ended up with Shannon. Seriously. Thank you God for bringing this man into my best friend’s life. I’m so happy he exists on this planet and that she found him.

And how about is the incredible party these two threw? I cannot explain to you guys how much it means to everyone here that we have been privileged enough to be a part of your very intimate day. Thank you so much for that.

I first met April back when scrunchies were still cool. I knocked on her door, asked her to be my friend and the rest is history.

It’s been about 13 years since then now and it’s incredibly surreal that I am standing up her watching her get married to a real-life prince.

It seems like just a minute ago the two of us were playing Mario Kart on Nintendo, talking on the phone for weeks and eating Taco Bell three times a day.

Over the years, April has taught me so much.

Her tenacity has continually showed me that there’s always a way to solve a problem — whether it’s organizing a closet, finding a way to pay for college or just figuring out which dress to wear on a Friday night.

Her love of God has pulled me back from the dark nights of doubt and worry and given me hope and light more times than I can name.

And her heart has taught me there is such a thing as true friendship, and that two people really can work it out no matter what.

Because that’s how it is best friends. Even though life changes, and we grow up, and learn to drive, and get diplomas, and real jobs, and real apartments and real cars, and real boyfriends, there’s a core to the relationship that cannot ever be destroyed.

It’s as if they are sewn into our hearts in a way that guarantees they are permanently there.

And I can see now that Shannon is sewn into her heart in the same way. That he is now tied to her in a way that guarantees he is permanently there. And I’m so, so happy for that.

In fact, I would like to point out it was only a matter of days after Shannon and April’s first date that I called future-husband on him for her. Because I knew that this was the man who could see what I had always known — April is an incredible woman.

I wish you two more happiness than you thought was possible, more children than you can fit in your car and a more perfect love than either of you two thought was possible.

So, let’s raise our glasses to April and Shannon. May you kiss too many times, love too strongly and be showered with too many blessings. I love you both.

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The Bride’s Just in Case Box poem

Editor’s Note: My very best friend April got married this past weekend and I was the maid of honor. The morning of the wedding I gave her a survival kit of sorts that included a bunch of stuff she might need during the day. I also wrote this poem to go with the box:

Dear April,

Here is a Just In Case box made especially for you.
I’m hoping it will help get you through the “I do’s”

It has random things that I think you might need
Like a couple of band-aids just in case you ever bleed.

As far as First Aid goes, there’s also some pills.
But don’t get too excited, because they’re just basic Advil.

And, even though your hair will be perfectly set,
You will also find bobby pins and hairspray so you don’t have to fret.

In addition, I included some hand sanitizer gel.
So you can make it to the honeymoon feeling quite well.

In case you start crying there’s plenty of tissue
And safety pins too, so your garter belt won’t be an issue.

And don’t worry about your dress, not even one bit
Because there’s plenty to fix it in the Singer sewing kit.

Plus even if you spill some red wine on your veil,
There’s a Tide to-go mini that will help you prevail.

I also got you some contact solution
So that if you scratch your eye, there is no confusion.

And there’s Chaptsick to help you maintain sexy lips
As well as deordarnt, so you can have sexy pits.

But what would a Just in Case box be without food?
Handing you one without that would be rude.

There’s a Godiva chocolate bar, some trail mix and gum.
And there’s even some mints so you can give Shannon some tongue.

Lest that’s not enough, there’s some Crest mouthwash as well.
And I won’t even ask you to kiss and then tell.

And last but not least is one thing that’s for Shannon too
It’s Ky Warming Jelly for the second you’re both out of view.

I pray that you both will be blessed to end.
And that you’re always know you’re my very best friend.

Love,
Crystal

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