A List for Writing Wedding Vows
New York became the sixth state in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage last week. I couldn’t be happier for my gay friends — it’s about time! This historic vote makes me think of my own marriage and one of the most important parts of the day– the vows.
Jay and I wrote our own vows when we got married in Puerto Rico because we wanted our ceremony to be very personal. I’m Catholic and Jay’s Jewish so we blended a bit of both backgrounds into the ceremony along with poems that really spoke to us.
The producer in me knew I should get to work on the vows early. I visited several wedding websites and took a trip to the bookstore to see what I could find out about writing a marriage ceremony script. I write scripts at work all the time – so I tackled this task in a similar way. Research, research, research.
Here’s a list of things to remember when writing your own vows:
1. Be Yourself: As you plan your wedding you will learn that it’s actually not all about you! Your family, friends and other guests will come first in a lot of circumstances. You’re throwing the biggest party of your life – you want to make sure they have a good time! But when it comes to the vows be true to yourself – make it all about you and your partner. If something doesn’t feel right – don’t do it or say it. Read more
The Ultimate Magazine List
I love reading magazines. It’s my guilty little pleasure and has become a borderline obsession. My husband makes fun of me because our coffee table is always overflowing with the last few months of my favorites. But I have to have them all and reference them to take notes. Eventually I give them to my mother-in-law because she also has this magazine addiction.
As a self-proclaimed magazine connoisseur – here is my list of favorites that you must try:
1. Health Magazine: It has the perfect mix of mind, body and soul – and recipes too! They have great contests and events for their readers. One of my favorite features is the “To-Don’t List,” which highlights tasks overwhelmed women don’t have the worry about. Perfect! I also like the “What the Yuck” column by Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa – I worked with her briefly when we were both at WPIX in New York City. Read more
List Making is in my Blood
I get it from my dad. He’s a serious list maker. For as long as I can remember – he is always making a list about something. So this Father’s Day – I’d like to honor him for passing down this quirky habit to me and highlight some of his frequently-used lists.
List for Expenses
My dad has tiny strips of paper that he uses to record every expense he has. He has tons of these little papers in his office. Whenever he pays bills — he puts on his glasses and squints at these pint-sized papers. Why he doesn’t switch to full-sized paper is beyond me. This system works for him and he lists off everything he needs to pay for the month and crosses them off when he does. I’ve told him he can do this online but he’s yet to retire his tiny papers.
Lists Before Leaving on Vacation
Any time we went on vacation – which was usually to Lake George, NY when I was growing up – my dad would make a list of all the things that needed to be done before we left. The list would usually consist of things like “turn off the air conditioning,” “put mail on hold,” “water plants.” He does this so he doesn’t have to remember to remember anything. It’s all right there – quick and easy.
Lists for Planting a Garden
My dad’s garden is his pride and joy. He grows all sorts of vegetables but is famous for his tomatoes. He plants way too many of them every year –but claims he has to because they are so good. He gives them to our friends and family and my mom makes lots and lots of tomato sauce. Every March he makes a list of all the vegetables that he wants to have in his garden for the summer. He’s very systematic about it and even draws out a map of where each vegetable will be planted. It’s pretty cute that he’s so passionate about it.
Maybe this trait is in my blood or maybe I learned it over time. Whatever the reason – it’s made me the organized, slightly neurotic, kind of obsessive compulsive and successful person that I am! Thanks Dad and Happy Father’s Day!