In which I act like I'm getting an Academy Award, when really, I just want to hug all of you

I want to thank all of you for your amazing support, enthusiasm, and kindness leading up to my wedding.

And when I say leading up to my wedding, what I mean is, from the moment you guys started reading up to now. Because LG has been all about relationships since the minute I started.

Hell, the reason I started was a failed relationship. Or anyway, that overflow of angst was what propelled me to start a blog. What I didn't know then was that I was actually reaching out into the wide, invisible e-world, stretching my arms out for virtual hugs.

I know I've said this a number of times before, but hopefully you'll indulge me once more; you all are amazing. So kind, supportive, loving.

Thank you to all of you who, every time I said, "I'm absolutely certain I'm going to die alone!" responded with, "You absolutely are not."

There are a couple readers - people who do not have blogs and comment very rarely - who basically said, "Stick with it. You'll be fine."

And they were right. It's odd to think that comments from absolute strangers help, but they do.

I want to make sure to give huge thanks to Lisa at PoliTits, who happened to click a Wonkette link shortly after I started writing, and has stuck with me ever since, and even though she's a really busy working mom, rejoiced with me in my ups and sent me encouragement in my downs.

I'd also like to mention that after we got engaged the first three gifts we received were from bloggers: HKW, Nicole, and Slightly Disorganized, only one of whom I've met in person at this point - SD, in July. And they've continued to be so very lovely. HKW, your sweet sweet note yesterday made me cry.

Although you might ask what doesn't these days.

This is not to say that my real life friends weren't excited - Tej and her husband immediately took us to brunch to celebrate. Engaged! Yay!

But the biggest, most concerted amount of excitement came from LG readers. And I've basked in it ever since.

I have so many people to thank for advice and virtual hugs, and this is a tiny list, and if I've somehow overlooked you, please bear in mind that I'm getting married tomorrow and currently I'm brushing my teeth and getting dressed as I write this.

So.

Broadly, thank you to Lemmonex and Ryane for being endless fonts of wisdom on makeup, and thank you KassyK for offering thoughts on hair and fashion and glam in general. Thank you FreckledK for sending love and support and continually cheering us on.

Thank you Wendy for returning from my India past and being with me from Hawaii through all of this. It's meant a lot to me. And speaking of my past, with a relationship stretching all the way back to when I was born, through Dacca days and up to the present, thank you Jordaan for coming all the way from Texas and bringing your lovely daughter. I can't wait to see you guys. It makes me cry thinking about it. Oh, and if you're reading this, I have you down for one vegetarian and one omnivore dinner.

Thank you VVK for being a solid, constant rock, and also for being taller than Nick, which doesn't happen that often. Thank you Restaurant Refugee for your generous wisdom and more. And thank you Jessica for being a pretty much daily source of email hugs and advice and support. In fact, LG readers could thank you for saving them from reading about so many more melt downs than they otherwise would've.

And last but so far from least, because reading these, and knowing people took time out of their busy days to write and sent great thoughts makes me cry every time I get one, thank you to all the readers who have sent nice notes. I've gotten a number of really lovely messages from readers - one from North Dakota last night, which particularly warms my heart, since my mom is from Minot. All saying, essentially, "I don't know you but I'm so happy you've found love and so excited for your wedding."

Thank you all for all of this.

I am hoping to post tomorrow, because I give my bridesmaids their presents tonight - presents that have taken a tremendous amount of my time, thought and energy lately - and I'd really like to post pictures once they have them.

But tomorrow being our wedding day, I know the odds are slim. So I wanted to get all my thanks out today.

Big hugs to all of you.

Lisa