To say that 2020 continues to be challenging is a giant understatement. The year began with the threat of war against my Family’s home country and 178 people dying in a plane crash correctly. Already, my future husband and I were feeling like everyday life is very fragile since both my grandpa and uncle died the year before. My grandma took it the toughest, losing both her husband and just son within 10 months of each other. We knew we desired to plan a large engagement because, following a solid year of mourning, we wanted something our families could celebrate.

They say the 2 things that bring joy following a loss are weddings and babies, and well, marriage seemed like the best option for us. I always knew I desired to get engaged with all of my family and friends around, so my fiancee planned that after March, in the end, we're all celebrating his 30th birthday on the wine tasting getaway weekend, he'd propose to me and all my loved ones and friends would jump out and surprise me. I am so grateful that he'd consider so selflessly quitting the attention on his special day to produce my dream proposal. When COVID-19 hit, just weeks before our planned birthday trip, all of our plans went out your window. Not only have we been instructed to celebrate all of our wedding planning milestones by ourselves (the engagement, selecting a venue, picking the colors)- despite the fact that these were things I hoped we're able to do with my mom and grandma, but we probably will not ever be in a position to have the big engagement party we imagined. Even now, our date for the wedding is set for next fall and we’re not sure things will be better at that time. What was said to be a joy-filled experience designed to pull my loved ones out of grief and stress continues to be largely overshadowed through the pandemic.

I’m still hoping that my mom and grandma are worried about the wedding ceremony planning process somehow, even though COVID-19 has halted the majority of our plans. Because my mom and grandma are immunocompromised, I’m unsure they will be comfortable visiting stores to visit wedding dress shopping before there’s a vaccine. Azazie is perfect because we can try on dresses together within the comfort of our very own homes, meaning I can have this shared knowledge about them. Either way, we remain so so grateful for the health and my grandma’s health, and can't wait to celebrate all like a family as quickly as possible.short wedding dresses.