You may be in a romantic wonderland with your wedding plans, but it won't be too long until reality comes pounding on the door, reminding you of What Is in the rest of your life.

I had that kind of day yesterday, getting the dreaded 7am phone call from my parents who are *both* in various stages of fighting blood cancers....and have been for 5 years now. My mom had been rushed to the hospital the night before with dizziness. As a longtime expert at hospital runs, I knew which essentials she'd need [hairbrush, toothbrush, three bottles of Poland Spring Water and cinnamon for the awful hospital food], and I made my essential phone calls to my brother and sister and father to update them on the doctor's conference ["It's just an inner ear infection"] Whew!! As I was driving home from the hospital, it hit me...we get so All About Me sometimes. If your mother is driving you crazy, think about brides whose mothers have passed away and who will have to face a wedding day without them. Think about brides like me who wonder if a sick father will be able to walk down the aisle or dance. Reality is tough for many brides out there...so be ready for the realities of life outside the wedding plans, and appreciate your mom, dad, step-parents and future in-laws even if they have personalities that unnerve you....it could be far worse. Just imagining your wedding day without them could bring you to gratitude for who they are now, warts and all, unwelcome suggestions and all. Instead of fuming over their habits, you could feel blessed to hear their voices stating those unwelcome suggestions.