The HappyLand Tribune - YearEnd2004 Special Edition

The midnight blue, black sky was sprinkled with stars that looked like diamonds, which seem to spar with each other as they twinkled on and off. I turned my nose to the crisp, clear, cold night air – its soft kiss to my cheek was brisk. Looking over the town of Happyland from the hilltop, the first snowfall began. It was as if there was a giant baker in the sky, sprinkling white confetti sugar on top a freshly baked cake - soft, swaying and silent. As I walked down the hill, I reflected on few weeks past when the 05 Brides held the final GTG for 2004. I was honored to attend and witnessed friendship at its best.

The 12.11 GTG started at 1pm, but as many as six or brides were there early, outside talking. One could never tell that some were meeting for the first time, which has always pleasantly surprised me about these lovely ladies - the warm welcome they give a fellow bride. As other 05 Brides arrived and the GTG got into full swing, the joy of being together, talking about wedding, (do they EVER talk about anything else??? their FH’s would say, smile) sharing wedding ideas and just being together, were the order of the afternoon. One FH dare to stop in with the brides, and his smile reflected the warm welcome he too received.

A very unique game was introduced by a bride that had all of the brides laughing Over and Over again. The brides’ smiles and laughter from this game could be seen from the Left to the Right of the room and Across all tables. The brides proceeded to participate in a thoughtful gift exchange. Anyone could plainly see, much thought went into each gift and recitpitant. The thoughtfulness of the 2005 brides is not to be underestimated; some made favors for ALL the brides & did not ask for anything in return, some offered rides to help others, some brought decorations or baskets to make the GTG enjoyable for all. Many brides table-hopped to talk to new ones, catch up with old friends, and before we knew it, it was time to go. The 05’Brides goodbyes is the LONGEST, many hugs and phone numbers are exchanged and talk of the next GTG was already in the air………… no surprise there!

The Boards (the local bar) was even more so, active tonight, because it is New Years Eve. Just hours before the 2005 brides OFFCIALLY ring in THEIR year. I walked out of The Boards & looked at the 12 main streets of Happyland; they are called January, February, March, April etc. Yes - the brides live on the streets named after their wedding date. The houses on January Cove #7, 8 and 9 (the first full weekend in 2005) were extremely busy as the brides prepared for their big day, their wedding day they had planned ALL 2004 for! Their fellow brides wished them well and anxiously await the coveted wedding pictures and reviews. Duplication is the best form of flattery, for in the neighboring town of 2006, brides were planning their first GTG, some had even come the Happyland and wished the 2005 Brides well.

I smiled and slowly walked to 5 March Court, a duplex housed by myself and my
Wedding date twin. The past year had brought MANY things to the 05 boards, New brides, a New feel, a unique lingo (acronyms are plenty on the 05 board) a daily GMB (Good Morning Brides) thread that many cannot start the day without, LOL !! Yes, heated drama at times, but a constant remains, we all are getting married in 2005 !! Numerous ideas have been shared among the brides, like best bridal shops, disaster bridal shops, favor ideas (a very sore topic for some – me included - LOL), Bridal party woes, invitation glee, RSVP anticipation and the list goes on – all wedding related – and sometimes not - like the QOTD (smile). And just like a strong thread that closes seams in a winter coat; ALL of the many topics discussed on the 05 Boards - keeps the 05’Brides united as a group. Very different from other countries like, The Knot .

The wonderful GTG’s and the sincerity when helping a fellow bride or brides, nurtures the close feelings among all of the 05’brides. I opened my front door, and looked lovingly back at Happyland, all was a peace. As I softly blew kisses to all the brides of 2005 and wished them all, the wedding of their dreams, eternal happiness with the one that they love, and a blessed New Year - as we eagerly look forward to the next GTG, our wonderful weddings and the daily meetings at The Boards, as the mantra....2005 brides ROCK !

To All the 2005 Brides wishing you
Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams

Yr Reporter
Lady Princess
aka
LP