Everything is packed. The house is straightened. (well, ok, as straightened as it’s going to get)

In a little bit, emily and I are going to pack the car and head west. We’ll be heading west for a while. 14 hours to be exact.

We’re driving west to our wedding.

We are, in no particular order, happy, nervous, not-quite-overwhlemed, and excited.

Right now, my body is screaming at me. It’s not used to being mobile this early on a Monday. It’s ok though. We have to stop in Frederick to pick up a few things that Mom won’t be able to fly with next (wow- *this*) week – like the cake knife. I’m sure at that stop there will be caffeine in some form, so by the time we cross South Mountain and head in to my homeland of Western Maryland I’ll be in fine form.

Today, we’ll be driving to South Bend where there’s a Hampton Inn and, I’m told, some of the best shepherd’s pie ever waiting for us. Tomorrow we push the rest of the way to Milwaukee.

And then Wedding Week 2006 begins!

We have a marriage liscense to get, wedding programs to assemble, reception seating arrangments to confirm, and (most importantly) a little relaxing to do.

We can’t wait.

Time to head west, young man.

The rest of your life is out there waiting for you.