One of the things I am most grateful for while planning for this wedding (other than having a great fiance, of course) is having the best Maid of Honor--ever!--Rachel.  She's my cousin, my mentor, my best friend, my wedding consultant, my shrink. She has been my support system in my time of chaos and an avid cheer leader in my little "victories" with the wedding preparations. Someone said that a Maid of Honor is chosen for her emotional stability and composure in the most trying of times and let me tell you, she has not fallen short of that. She never tires to answer and/or return my calls in the oddest of hours and never gets tired of responding to my 100-a-day-can-you-tell-me-what-you-think e-mails for something wedding related. Like most of you bride-to-bes out there know, planning a wedding is not all fun and excitement. There are times when the very reason why you're getting married is tested. My fiance and I fight, we argue, we have misunderstandings,  like any normal couple. Rachel is the "glue" that keeps us together. She keeps me in my place when I'm in the wrong and does the same for Mike (I tell Mike what Rachel says and Mike always listens to what she has to say, for some weird reason).  She's my Maid of Honor AND our pre-marriage counselor in one!  In times when Mike and I doubt, she reassures. In times when Mike and I question, she reaffirms. She sustains us when Mike and I think there are no more "reserves" to go on. Yes, she is that amazing! And I don't believe she does this because she's obligated to, with her being my maid of honor and all, but simply because that's who she is... a loving, good-hearted, caring individual.

Rach-- if you're reading this -- you always say to me that you're honored to be a part of this wedding, when in fact, I am the one truly indebted to you for all your help, support and valuable advice. I had no idea that through this wedding I would discover so much in you and so happy that through this wedding we have gotten closer. From the bottom of my heart I say...

Y-O-U A-R-E T-H-E B-E-S-T M-A-I-D O-F H-O-N-O-R .... E-V-E-R!