tech...

The ongoing benefits of technology never cease to amaze. As much as sometimes we may not want to succumb to the convenience, maybe even the sheer laziness, that technology can foster, sometimes we find ways to use it to our honest benefit.

This is truly the year for weddings... I'm sure everyone went through that period in life where everyone they knew and their neighbor was getting married. It has probably shifted in age as time has gone on, but inevitably everyone will experience that one year where they were invited to a million weddings. It's a running joke now in my office - there are so many girls engaged that it's almost unfortunate for someone else to happily 'join' our club because it's to the point that they just get chalked up to a number... another punch line in an ongoing joke. Including me, there are 9 engaged girls in my office. If that's not crazy enough, two of my college friends are getting married this year - this month, actually (lucky them!). Oh, and four of my cousins are getting married, too... which brings me to my point.

Three of my four cousins getting married this year are on my father's side and all live in the midwest - specifically the Illinois/Michigan area. To limit time and travel for those invited, one of my aunts has decided to throw a joint bridal shower for us brides. Being the odd bride out living in Massachusetts, and since every spare penny I have is literally going toward my wedding fund, there is no feasible way I'll be able to fly myself out to participate in said shower. However, thanks to the constant development of technology, we've decided to have a Skype Shower! My mother, sister-in-law and I will be able to skype from my fiance's house while everyone else is at my grandmother's condo in Michigan. Not only will it give us a chance to catch up and see each other open gifts, but that side of the family will get to meet the newest addition - Henry Jacob, who is now over a month old, and they'll get to actually meet my fiance. Other than the aunts and uncles who traveled out for my father's funeral 6 months ago (to the day), the cousins on that side haven't had the joy of meeting the most wonderful man in the world (although I may be biased... I'm sure the other brides think the same about their fiances).

So although technology allows us to sit on our butts the majority of the day, moving only to lift a finger to change the channel, turn out the lights, start our cars, order delivery dinner, and even get a degree for goodness sake, sometimes it really has its honest-to-goodness benefits.