By the time you read this, I will have gotten married and will be on my honeymoon, but with newspapers, sometimes you have to write ahead. My engagement seemed forever ago and yet from November to September the days seemed to pass quickly.
When Post columnist Mark Wineka suggested I chronicle my wedding planning I thought, “Hmm, another assignment to fill my day,” but I must say these monthly columns have been therapeutic.
When the wedding planning got hectic and mishaps happened (dress fiasco) it reminded me of the purpose of it all — we were embarking on a new journey.
In each column I’ve shared tips and things I’ve learned throughout this planning process. Just when I think I’m all tipped out, I pull from within and out emerge a few more.
This is the easiest tip I’ve ever shared. It’s easy to get caught up in planning the wedding you’ve been dreaming about for years, but don’t forget to enjoy the process.
During the last stages of planning, I joked with engaged friends to just forego a wedding of any size and elope. It’s less of a headache, I told them. But the truth of the matter is, unexpected things will arise and you just have to adapt to the changes.
Don’t forget to love the one you’re with. It’s easy to take things out on your future hubby or wife, especially within the final days, but just remember why you are getting married.
I thought and thought about what else to write in this final column. I began to ponder the great poets like e.e. cummings, who wrote love sonnets, and decided on the way to work this past week to pen a love letter to my husband, Vanzie Walker III.

My Dearest Vanzie,
I sit here today to leave you a little note of love. When we started this journey we were two people who on the outset had nothing in common. I was a little talkative country girl from South Carolina and you were this quiet giant from Salisbury.
When I met you I had no idea that things would turn out this way. We were two strangers who found each other and realized one day that love had found us.
I can still recall our first meeting like it was yesterday. You gave my hand a firm but gentle squeeze and introduced yourself. We talked for hours and yet it felt as though we’d known each other for years.
We parted ways through the years and yet we always found our way back to each other.
We are not perfect. We sometimes fuss and fight but we also love, laugh, talk, kiss and cuddle. We understand, compromise, commit and love each other. I love all of your flaws, smiles, laughter, jokes and even your sarcasm. In you I see someone who will fight for me, protect me, be my calm in the storm and love me in spite of my imperfections.
Over the years it hasn’t been hard for me to see your patience, and your huge heart — qualities that I knew I’d be lucky to have in a husband someday and in the father of our future children.
I only thought I loved you before, but now as we embark on the next phase of our lives together I am certain the love of yesterday is nothing like this.
You are who I dreamt of as a little girl — someone with integrity, honesty, love, affection, strength, and who loved God and family. I’m the happiest woman to be starting the next chapter of life with my biggest supporter, champion and best friend.
Thank you for being you and sharing this journey with me.
Contact reporter Shavonne (Potts) Walker at 704-797-4253.