Well folks, we did it! Keoni and I successfully made it through our first ever, Army Blues Reception/Receiving line. And let me tell you, it's NOT like a receiving line at a wedding. But before we get to the exciting details, I want to share some events, lessons, and pictures that led us up to this wonderful event with my hubster and new friends.
Two weeks before the event, I realized I really needed to buckle down and begin the search for the best maternity formal dress, ever.... haha what a joke indeed. I searched tons of websites, ones that frankly, I don't know how they are even in business, to every maternity store I could think of. I was clearly faced with a serious problem. I couldn't show up to Keoni's first blues reception in anything less than perfect.
First mental breakdown... I was a bridesmaid in my brother's wedding, where I was 30 weeks preggers with Malia (see picture below). My belly was clearly out and about for the whole world to see....
(not the best facial expression)
Well, at the Blues Reception, I hit 19 weeks... so 11 weeks away from being as big as I was at the wedding. There was NO way I was going to even put on the dress from Jack's wedding. If it fit, I knew I was going to have some sort of panic attack. Granted they say you start showing earlier with multiple pregnancies, but there was no way I would allow myself to fathom the idea I was as big as 30 weeks. Who wants to be that big this early, knowing you are only going to get bigger!?!
Which brings us to my second mental breakdown... Keoni and I had the privilege to attend Governor McDonnells Inaugural Ball, 10 weeks after Malia was born. I thought this dress had serious potential, until it dawned on me... there was NO WAY my no nursing self would even come close to filling out the inaugural dress. So, it was back to the nonexistent drawing board.
(this was such a wonderful evening with the hubby and my parents)
So here I am, four days out from the 'event that could make or break Keoni's military career' (not really, but I couldn't help but think this) and I was still dressless. Monday after work, I made one last ditch effort and drove back to our old stomping grounds, Stony Point Fashion Park. I knew they had A Pea in the Pod, which tends to sell more expensive, trendy maternity clothes. Imagine the shock on my face, when I've driven 30 minutes, to find that the STORE IS NO LONGER AT STONY POINT. Oh yes, my dear friends, I FREAKED. I took a couple deep breaths and regrouped. I decided to run to Dillards, because I was clinging onto one last little glimmer of hope. My two younger sisters, Amanda and Allie, have always had some success finding cute dresses in Dillards. I walk straight to formal dress section, belly and all. A super sweet sales girl comes up and asks if she can help- and I laid it all out on the table. "Oh yes you can help. Here is my problem, I'm pregnant, need a formal dress, and it can't be any of these bright, crazy prom colors. I need either black, gray or navy blue." Like I said earlier, I was hanging on to one last glimmer of hope, when she brings me a long, formal, navy blue two strap dress with an empire waist in a size small. I almost cried. We still had one problem- it needed to fit, and I needed to look pregnant, not fat. CHECK! The dress fit perfectly. So here it is, Monday evening almost 6pm, when I purchase the best dress ever. The dress was perfect, however, I wanted to wear a shorter length, cocktail dress. So, I called my dad and he said the tailor closed at 6. Well, that solved my delima- I would keep the dress long. On my way home from Stony Point to my parents to get my lovely daughter, I had an inkling to swing by the tailors. You wouldn't believe it- they closed at 6:30! I ran in, had the dressed pinned and was out the door in 10 minutes. I was able to pick up the dress Wednesday after work. Blessing!!!! Ok, now its Friday, the day of the Spousal Events and Blues Reception. The spousal luncheon was great. General Petraesus' wife spoke at the luncheon and provided insight to life in the military. She solidified my excitement, and calmed my fears. I sat at a table with others PCSing to Fort Bragg. We learned the places to live, not to live, churches, schools, the whole 9 yards. Needless to say, it was just the information I needed. After the luncheon, we had a 'short' Army Family Team Building workshop that provided a plethora of information. Unfortunately, the workshop ran over, and I started to get antsy. I knew we had to be back and dressed by 4:45. We got out of the workshop at 3:45. Keep in mind, this was the event that could make or break Keoni's military career, so everything had to be perfect :). Here is the one and only picture we grabbed leaving the spousal events.
( i love these JAG officer Army wives)
We raced back to the room and began the wonderful process of getting ready. Allie, my baby sister, came in town to watch Malia for the evening. She pulled in right as I did. It was great having her around to watch Malia while Keoni and I were getting dressed. Nothing like trying to get all formalized, while having an almost 17 month old running around.
We have now arrived at.... the Receiving Line (ok, really, we took some professional pictures, chatted with friends, waited, waited and waited some more until it was our turn to get in line). The dreaded event was minutes away. What the heck was I going to say? What would THE Judge Advocate General ask me and Keoni? Oh, and for all you etiquette savvy, did you know the female stands slightly to the left and in front of the man... yea, so that meant I went through the receiving line FIRST. All week I kept reminding myself, I'm good at this. This is part of my job, this is what my father has so generously taught us by taking us to many a political functions- how to schmooze... so why was I so scared- oh yeah, this was the event that would make or break Keoni's military career.
Sir, I would like to introduce Meghann and 1LT Keoni Medici. Eeeeek... insert spotlight and cue the swarm of butterflies. I immediately reached out my hand and gave a firm handshake. Step one, done. The General then asked me where we were from {Richmond} , were we spider or rams fans { neither, we went to WVU, although Keoni did go to UR for law school so I guess we are spiders fans} there are many people from West Virginia {yes Sir} Lieutenant, where are you and your beautiful wife headed {Fort Bragg, Sir. 82nd Airborne Division} Ahh, I think I've heard of that Division. I wish the both of you the best of luck, and enjoy your evening .... THE END...we then walked down the rest of the receiving line, shaking a few other hands and exchanging small talk. We passed through the double doors and jumped into the elevator to head to the reception... we did it, we did it, we did it. I was so excited and so was Keoni. The rest of the evening, Keoni introduced me to his mentors, professors and friends who I had not had the privilege of meeting before. Needless to say, we had a fabulous time. Here are some pictures of us from the Blues Reception...
Once we get the professional pictures in the mail, I'll be sure to share. Clearly, we had a great time with our new Army family. And I think it's only fair to add... this event, defiantly, made Keoni's Army career!!
