Dear Party Pop, My wedding story puts to rest the superstition that the bride shouldn’t see the groom on her wedding day. Well at least it does in my mind. If I had it to do all over again, I’d do everything the same. My fiancé and I wanted a really big wedding at a swanky hotel. We chose the month of August so we could have the ceremony outside. The reception would be inside in a big ballroom. The night before the wedding was the rehearsal dinner. It was so much fun walking down the aisle with my ribbons and bows bouquet and I didn’t feel any pre-wedding jitters. We left the hotel for dinner at a family style Italian restaurant where we completely stuffed ourselves. I felt like I did the day before a race when I would load up on carbs the night before a long run. My fiancé and I had actually thought about getting married during a half marathon. We are both runners and thought wouldn’t it be a kick to jog through our ceremony, and finish at the reception. We were vetoed by many family members and realized it might be difficult for the pastor to keep up with us. It is hard to talk and run at the same time. At the end of the rehearsal dinner my fiancé and I kissed goodbye and said we’d see each other at the altar. It was only 19 hours away and since I’d be sleeping for eight of those, I knew it would be here in the blink of an eye. I was so anxious to finally be a Mrs. I drove with my mom, best friend and maid of honor, and cousin to the hotel around noon. My cousin was on the lookout for Greg, as I did not want him to see me. I knew he would be arriving with a couple of his groomsmen at around the same time so I was really nervous. When the coast was clear, I made a beeline for the elevator and the bridal suite. I got to the room safely and patiently waited for everyone else to arrive. About 15 minutes later, I was still the only one in the room. Where was everyone? I couldn’t imagine what was taking my mom so long so I poked my head out the door and into the hallway. It was empty and quiet and I wrestled with what to do. Terrible thoughts started going through my head. Maybe my dress got shut in the car door? What if my mom had fallen? Had there been news about Greg’s arrival – or non-arrival? It seemed to me all the action was going on downstairs in the lobby and I wanted to be in on it. I tiptoed out of the room, like that would stop anyone from seeing me, and walked to the elevator. The lights to the side of the elevator door that indicate where the elevator is were about to hit my floor and I was worried that there might be someone on it. I kind of closed my eyes as the doors opened and tried not to look. Sure enough, there was one person onboard and walking toward me – Greg! I started shouting for him to close his eyes and not look at me but instead he wrapped his arms around me, swept me off my feet and carried me back down to my room. It felt so good to be held by him that I didn’t fight it. In fact, it kind of excited me and I wondered what he had in mind. When we got to the door he looked down at me and planted the most romantic kiss he’s ever given me right on my lips. Both our lips parted and our kiss got even more passionate, sending shock waves down my body. He opened the door and took me to the bed. He wanted me bad, I could tell. And I wanted him too. But it was just a few hours before the ceremony! He told me there was a small ceremony problem, nothing to worry about he promised, but something that would keep the others occupied for a bit. Then he gave me his look. I told him it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. He said it was good luck that he found me like he did and we should just go with it. I figured there probably weren’t very many brides who got to have sex before and after their wedding so why not? It would be the one thing that made my special day unique. I was a little preoccupied with the thought that my mom might walk through the door at any moment, but that didn’t stop us from pleasuring each other. We just did it hurriedly, knowing we’d have the evening to take our time. Greg kissed me goodbye and not five minutes later the bridal suite was full of women. I was already on cloud nine and any anxiety I had been feeling was completely gone. I had a little secret and it didn’t feel unlucky at all. The ceremony and reception went super well and everyone had the time of their life. It was perfect! So you see, it wasn’t bad luck for the groom to see the bride on my wedding day. Sincerely, Lauren Mason