Fall is here in Atlanta (officially)

November 15, 2007

Kanika says:
This past weekend was an emotional blurr. So much in fact, just thinking about it is exhausting. On Saturday, James and I were invited to a baby shower. No worries, men were there too. It was fun, but I also learned a good lesson about perception. I have this habit of inferring how James feels about things, instead of asking him head on. So when I was ready to go, I didn't come out and say it. Instead, I asked him if he was ready to go. Much to my chagrin, this nagging little behavioral flaw came out in our counseling session on Sunday. All I can say is, man our counselor's are GOOD. They know us really well and they seem to know me exceptionally well. They gave us some techniques to help us in our communication and really encouraged me to assert myself more. On one hand I was glad they were honest with me. But I got to tell ya, there was a part of me that dreaded the emotional upheaval that I'm in for. I mean, there's no where to hide when a great marriage is your goal. Don't get me wrong, I love being engaged to James. He's great, even when we don't agree and so compassionate too. But I think the idea of getting married was taking over the reality that marriage takes work, even before walking down the aisle. Praise God for our counselors and even my mom who shared some pretty raw truths this weekend. I'm still a little emotional about the whole thing, but at least I know that my best friend is with me and that God is guiding this thing every step of the way.

James says:
YO! YO! YO! I remember Kanika was so "wooh-sey" with love. She was like
"i don't even need a wedding ring....I would wear a glad tie wrap on my finger, thats all I need"
(as she batted hey eyelashes at me)...LOL She was really serious too! :-) I love her so much.
She is so special..I will love her all the days of my life. Kanika is still a romantic. I love how she takes the time to offer me help at every turn, while still managing to light the hallways up with her smiling face. She not just my fiance she my friend. My best friend.

James










James and Kanika at church

Finding the dress & Boys night out

Kanika: My mom and I went dress shopping this past weekend. Wow what an experience! We went to one of those dress shops that herd you into a room as you try on dresses that are either too small or too big for you. Unfortunately for me, I could only try on a few. I didn't know that most wedding dresses in these boutiques are size 10....way too small for a shapely woman like me. It can be a little depressing when the smiling sales woman says, "maybe we can hold up the dress and imagine what it would look like?" My sales lady was pretty knowledgeable though. She managed to find some nice dresses two sizes above my normal size, which gave me an idea of the style that looks best on me. Sometimes I find myself in awe of this whole process. I'm actually getting married and the thing I once longed for, the love that I prayed so many years for is now my reality. Man, God is so good!


James: (Boys night out)
Man this wedding and all the of the things that surround it can be overwhelming, but not to me. I know how to take it down a thousand, Boys night! Movies! Waffle House, and good convo! It was so necessary. Good Christian brothers.
I enjoyed it a lot.

I looked in the Big pink book of the future Mrs.Riley, and I saw a a lot of great dresses. She is already so beautiful, with the added dress, and of course shoes, I honestly don’t know how she can expect us to keep our eyes off of her all wedding long. I mean the flowers and cake wont even get as much as a glance from the guests. Oh well, they can take some cake home in a doggy bag and look at it then.

Birthday weekend

Kanika: What’s been interesting? hmm??? We learned about trusting God at church today. It was James’ Birthday yesterday and it was so fun making the day special for him. I may have gotten a late start, but I think it was all worth it in the end.

James: My birthday was the bomb...she made me a “TRIFOLD”....hmm is was delicious, and she also got me a great gift and card. I was happy to do absolutely nothing all weekend long. She is so good to me.