Name Envy

Thoughts I had in the shower this morning (it's where I do my best thinking)... have you ever envied a sibling or friends name?

My name is Jennifer. My middle name is Anne. My younger sister's name is Wren. I won't tell you her middle name, she would kill me, but it's equally as unique. As many years as she's been on this planet I don't think she's ever come face to face with another Wren. I on the other hand, meet Jennifer's ALL the time. Throughout my school years and past jobs, there's always been the inevitable "Who's going to be Jen, Jenny or Jennifer?" conversation. Being of the shy sort, I almost always ended up Jennifer. Now, don't get me wrong here, I don't hate my name, I just like hers better. It has a sense of mystery about it. It conjures up images of a beautiful, strong woman with a unique personality. And she fits it well. I suppose that's the part I always envied. What does Jennifer conjure up? Probably a friend, or family member or maybe an acquaintance you know with the same name. Boring.

As fate would have it, my father named me. Had my mother had her way, I'd be Coral Anne. I used to think about that a lot when I was a kid. I'd imagine people would call me Cory and I'd have long curly hair, not sure how since my entire family has pin straight hair, but that's beside the point. I imagined if I was Cory, I would've talked to my first crush, Brian who worked at the local Roller Den, instead of just lusting after him from afar. I also knew in my heart of hearts that Cory would have been an amazing roller skater and wouldn't haven fallen down so many damn times in front of Brian. But alas, I was Jenny. An awkward, skinny girl with scabbed up knees and pee thin hair that stands on end all winter long as if it's been rubbed by a balloon. A girl who'd rather read a book than go out. A girl who's had imaginary conversations with people she's never going to meet. The list could go on and on here.

So my final thought as I was finishing up in the shower this morning, is that a name may define you to some extent but it's all the awkward, weird, silly, awesome and strange life experiences we have while growing up that make us who we are. Wren isn't a beautiful and strong woman because of her name, it's who she is. I'm not an awkward weird person because I was named Jennifer. It's simply because I was just always awkward and weird. Epiphany moment, (this always happens near the end of the shower) I like me... I like that I am weird. Whatever my name is or might have been, I've definitely led an interesting life full of strange and unique moments. And I love it.

xoxo,
Jenn

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" ~ Shakespeare

A Vintage Valentine

Three vintage Valentine’s day cards dating back to the late 1920’s, early 1930’s. All of the cards are made out to a Eugene Caroniti from various classmates. I found the cards a few weeks back at an antique store in Oberlin, Ohio. Upon doing a little research of the name Eugene Caroniti, I found a census record of him. He was born in 1921 in Lorain, Ohio as Joseph Eugene Caroniti. He would be 93 years old if he were alive today.

Have a lovely Valentine's Day!

xoxo,

Jenn

Suite 22 marries The Book Vault!

Thank you to you all for being so patient with me over these last few weeks as the wedding day got closer and closer! This is a little teaser pic with way more to come! Please check back soon as I will be uploading more pictures of our special day!

xoxo

Jenn

Tick Tock

We are officially 18 days away from our wedding day.

Here is a list that is driving me mad:

• I do not have any bouquets made because I can't decide on flowers.
• I have no idea how my hair is going to look or who is going to do it for me or my bridesmaids.
• I still don't know how many people are coming, I'm waiting on 15 RSVP cards. What's the protocol on that? Don't ask me, I don't know.
• We still haven't picked a song for our first dance.
• I am still deciding between three songs for my father/daughter dance.
• We haven't purchased any alcohol or beverages yet.
• I still haven't found a strapless bra I like.
• We haven't even started putting together the favors yet.
• I never lost those five pounds I wanted to, in fact I may have gained a pound or two considering I grab a pint of ice cream out of the freezer every time I look at this list.

Here is a list that is not driving me mad:

• I cannot wait to be his wife.

Lots to do today, better get to it.

xoxo,

Jenn