Happy Tuesday, My Friend!
In case you didn’t know, our youngest son, Teddy, is getting married at the end of March of this year. We are so looking forward to having his lovely fiancée, Kate, be an “official” part of our family, though we already regard her as such. Wedding planning can be stressful, but Teddy and Kate are doing pretty much all of it on their own, so what is at the top of my list of concerns?
What am I going to wear?!
OK, so I know I’m not one of the main characters of this story. The bride and groom get that honor. Then there are the attendants. Perhaps they are considered the “supporting cast.” As far as parental units go, the mother of the bride takes top billing; that’s just one of the rules. The other rule has been this: “The mother of the groom wears beige and keeps her mouth shut.” I think in the movie world, I’d be considered a “Production Assistant.” Not exactly glamorous, but still important, and still needs a pretty dress.
In my search for said garment, I have found that, despite the fact that these dresses are made for mothers of adults, the models showing them online are mostly in their twenties. They do not have poochy stomachs or crepey arms. Their tummies are trim, and their muscles look marvelous.
I’m 65 years old. I left “trim” and “marvelous” back in the mid-90s, where they belonged.
But! And yet! However! . . . . I haven’t lost all hope. I thought I’d try to give a little extra “oomph” to taking care of myself and see if that would result in having any less pooch and crepe. My efforts in that direction have brought back some fun memories.
I asked my new best friend, ChatGPT (just kidding, not my best friend, but, man, can she cook! The recipes she has given me!), for a new little workout plan. What she came up with has been a blast—and a blast from the past!
If you’re a big worker-outer, you’d probably laugh at my “workout.” The first exercise is to rise to a standing position 12 times (repeat). Yup, standing up is my first vigorous exercise. I don’t push off with my hands, and I don’t make any grunting noises. Look out, world!
I was going through my little routine the other day when I decided some peppy music might be helpful. I ordered up an upbeat workout mix from Mr. Spotify. I didn’t recognize the music, but it was still peppy. But—wow—when did every other song in the world have “f” bombs in them? I grabbed my phone and got a bit more specific: “Upbeat workout music disco”—that would be better! Being a disco queen from way back, I figured maybe I’d hear some old tunes.
The first song to come on was Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by the Eurythmics. Yes!! That’s more like it! I was instantly transported back to 1983! I was 23 years old, wearing my magenta leotard and leggings, my white skinny belt and leg warmers, my pink-and-white hi-top Reeboks, and my headband and wristbands (you know how sweaty our wrists can get).
When Kevin and I were first married and living in Minneapolis, we belonged to the local YMCA, and I was an aerobics queen. (Disco queen, aerobics queen—I must have royal blood.) I was a diehard participant in the “Fitness Fantasia” classes. That was their version of Jazzercise. Boy oh boy, did I love me some Fitness Fantasia! One of the songs we danced/exercised to was Sweet Dreams (Were Made of This), and as soon as I heard that iconic intro the other day, I fell right into step. Emphasis on the word fell.
No, I didn’t actually fall, but I noticed my body felt a whole lot different when doing the same moves I did 42 years ago. Imagine that! There was a lot more jiggling going on. And I kept hearing this voice say Watch that left knee! And Try not to fall! These were not things I heard in 1983.
And then, more nostalgia! We have a little stool in the room where some workout equipment is. I sit on it to put on my shoes before I go for my morning walk. Wait a minute! That stool is a “step!” Remember “step aerobics”?? I was the queen of that, too! I’d only used it as a stool for the last umpteen years, but I popped that baby out on the floor, lowered it to its lowest position, and tripped the light fantastic! Emphasis on the word tripped.
No, I didn’t actually trip, and I didn’t last very long steppin’ to the oldies, but I sure had fun. That brought me back to years when I’d watch Denise Austin videos and exercise along with her.
I have no idea if any of this business will help me feel better in a long dress. A little extra movement can’t hurt, so long as I don’t hurt myself. If I still have pooch and crepe at the end of March, here’s what I figure: It’s still my son’s wedding. I’m still going to get to watch him marry the woman of his dreams. My other kids and grandkids will be there, too, and that’s my absolute favorite thing. I’ll get to eat wedding cake and toast the happy couple with champagne. No matter how much I weigh that day or what my measurements are, it will be a day to celebrate.
There’s a quote attributed to Stephen Covey that says, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” I guess that could mean different things to different people. But to me, it says, Patti, your last child to marry is getting married. You love him. You love her. What you wear and what you weigh won’t matter. Simply celebrate!
I hope that you find something, be it ever so simple or small, to celebrate this week!
Written with love – – – Patti XOXO
The Star on his last day of high school with his Production Assistant.