I awoke to a dark and dreary day.

Perfect for curling up under the covers with a good book, or maybe perfect for getting a whole lot of work done.

I’m afraid as good as option one sounds, I’m going to have to go for option two.

You see, I’ve only got a 3 day week this week. Why you ask? I leave on Thursday to head off to beautiful Cleveland, Ohio for my brother-in-laws wedding.

Now first of all, it entails going to Cleveland. Don’t anyone get down on me for not wanting to go to Cleveland. I lived there for 4 years and I am perfectly content with never returning (though the Hubster and I do intend to catch up on the old stomping grounds). But the simple fact that when I checked the weather yesterday, it was 20 degrees colder in Cleveland than it is here, is enough to make me not want to go.

And then there’s this. My deep dark secret. Yes, I know I’m a romance author, I loves me the Happily Ever After, but here’s the secret - I hate weddings.

All weddings. Can’t stand them. Didn’t really even like my own that much (although it was so damn simple there wasn’t much not to like).

And I’m not talking about the reception part of weddings (though I do have a profound hatred for the Hokey Pokey and Bunny Hoop), I hate the actual wedding part of weddings.

I just can’t take the stressing out and paying thousands of dollars for a dress you’re going to wear once. The stress for acheiving perfection in everything from flowers, to friends, to small children who don’t want to be dressed up, to archaic vows that don’t really even have meaning anymore.

I certainly don’t find them romantic in the least. I mean what’s romantic about standing in front of everyone you know, making promises that 50% of married couples don’t keep, while everyone whispers behind your back about how long it’s going to last and the rubbery chicken they’re going to have to force down at the reception.

Now, that said, on Thursday, I will put on my happy face. I will be happy for BIL and soon-to-be SIL. I will do the same in several months for the other BIL’s wedding.

But secretly inside, I will simply continue to hate weddings.

To end on a happier note, and since yesterday’s bunnies went over so well, I figured I’d share some pictures over the next few days. Have I mentioned how much I love my digital camera with super awesome zoom lens?

I took this at the National Zoo.