October 19, 2010

Wheeling away down the road of life


Chris and I didn't ride any bicycles built for two during our brief honeymoon (part 1) but I did wear this Two Wheeler bike print dress a lot. I tried not to make much of a fuss about honeymooning because it was kind of last minute and brief from necessity. I had to get back to work. I don't really have the time for a big trip until December so that is when we're going somewhere. But we decided to visit DC to eat, drink, do some visa paperwork for honeymoon part 2, and be merry/married. Speck came along because the Hotel Madera (along with all Kimpton Hotels) allows pets with no restrictions. I've come to really adore their hotels for the warm service and quirky decor. Because they caught wind of our wedding, they put us on the top floor in a suite with a balcony. And they greeted us with a bottle of wine and a cheese plate.



While in DC, we ate at Jaleo which was amazing. Our server was the sweetest man who was so enthusiastic about the insane amount of food we ordered. My favorite part of the meal was the squid ink black rice paella with cuttlefish and shrimp. Although we were stuffed (and had to take most of the paella home) we managed to eat the delicious dessert he gave to us in celebration of our matrimony. We also visited the Tacklebox and Two Amy's Pizza. Here's Chris walking Speck around Georgetown and enjoying the delicious Tacklebox spices.


I found myself walking around in a dreamy daze, so soon after the wedding. Everything felt very special and exciting, but I was also perpetually on the verge of emotional overcome. I don't know if I was feeling sad, but I was a little somber. Somber in the sense that nostalgia can feel melancholic. I couldn't (and still can't) stop dreaming about the wedding. It didn't escape my immediate frame of mind at all during the trip. I guess that is to be expected? I don't mean to sound like a Debbie Downer.

In so many ways I am glad the wedding happened. It was wonderful and I am glad it is behind me. But I also felt for it such immense excitement and anticipation. With it behind me, there is a slight void. I never thought I would be among the "post-wedding blues" contingent, and I would never ever describe what I feel as blue. Instead it feels surreal. I already have so much nostalgia for it. And with those pangs of nostalgic longing come the inevitable melancholia. I am happy it is over but I wish I could rewind myself to relive parts that are blurry already in my memory. I can't wait for the video and although I was reluctant to have video, I am grateful that my mom insisted.

Part of me was sad to leave Pittsburgh at all (where some friends were still in town after the wedding, including Robina and her beautiful family). Part of me was sad to spend such little time in DC. I couldn't catch up with DC friends or meet the new members of a few of their families because our time was so limited. We checked in late, were there for about 36 hours, and had to return to the 'burgh. I guess this is one of those times when I can just accept that I have too many feelings (tm Robina). Regardless, this DC trip was a nice memory and a wonderful way to kick off married life.

8 comments:

M. (formerly known as Shakespeare's Feminine Ending) said...

I LOOOOOVE Jaleo! And I go there whenever I'm in DC.

triciathomas said...

Looks like the perfect little honeymoon spot! We never really had a honeymoon because the Olympics were in salt lake city and we were both attending the U of U which started a week early! Oh well life!

Raquelita said...

I think the Two Wheeler dress is perfect for honeymooning (I say as I wore mine on my honeymoon several times)! It sounds like a great getaway, and the crush of the term will probably keep you from dwelling on the post-wedding blues.

Dea said...

Thanks for sharing your feelings about what it may feel like after you get married. I found it really refreshing to read that after such an exciting celebration, you miss being in the middle of it all! The trip to DC sounds really lovely and even though it's rushed, like you said, there's a Part 2 on the way!

erin said...

i think dc sounds like a perfect ending to your weekend wedding!

Anjali said...

Your honeymoon weekend sounds like it was sweet and lovely. Thank you for sharing Jess :) And I think your feelings about being caught up in the wedding and having kept dreaming of it after it was over are relatable. Even when my family was planning my brother's wedding, we spent MONTHS afterwards (sans my brother and his wife!) talking about wedding stories and looking at the wedding albums every weekend. I can only imagine those feelings of attachment would be even more intense if you were actually the bride!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a fabulous mini honeymoon and your little Speck is adorable!

thatdamngreendress said...

Thanks for sharing- I guess it's one of those aspects you don't hear so much about. I think especially these days when we're already so close with our partners before. It's not like the wedding night is when you first start getting to know one another! Imagine if all the anticipation and dreams leading up to the day were disrupted by having a terrible experience...shudder. savour those moments as long as you like!

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