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for lunchtoday, and afterward we went to a new bridal shop to look at wedding gowns. And even though I don't agree with Joy's ideas that “money shouldn't matter” when it comes to getting the perfect dress, I must admit that she has pretty good taste.
    “You are a classic, Caitlin,” she told me as she held up this beautiful white satin gown. “You'll look best in something smooth and sophisticated like this.”
    “I'm not sure about strapless.” I held up the gown in front of the mirror. Although as I admired how the gown flowed gracefully to the floor, I was sure I could be talked into this style.
    “I'm with you, Caitlin,” my mom said quickly. “I think something with a little more shoulder would be nice.” She had already removed another dress from the rack. And okay, I have to admit it looked a little too fluffy and prissy to me. But I smiled as I held it up in the mirror.
    “Oh, that's be so sweet on you,” said my mom.
    “No, no,” said Joy. “It's much too ingénue for her.”
    “Ingénue?” my mom queried.
    “Too young. Too sweet. Too little girlish.”
    My mom just looked at her.
    “But don't worry,” said Joy. “This is only one store and a small one at that.” I kind of smiled at the sales girl who'd been trying to help us.
    “And I'm sure Caitlin has lots of time,” said my mom.
    “If we go into the city, we'll have lots more gowns to choose from,” said Joy. “I only thought that Caitlin should start looking at styles so she'll have some idea of whatshe's looking for.” Joy pulled out another dress and held it up, but it looked more like an evening gown to me.
    “Do you want to try anything on, honey?” My mom's voice strongly hinted that she was ready to leave.
    “Not really.” I glanced at my watch. “Lunch was nice and this was fun, but I told Aunt Steph that I'd stop by and visit her this afternoon.”
    My mom smiled as she hung the princess dress back up.
    “Oh, I almost forgot,” said Joy. “I have some wedding things for you, Caitlin. They're in my car.”
    The “wedding things” turned out to be a slick shopping bag full of new brides' magazines and several thick, glossy “wedding planning” books that appear to cover everything from French pedicures to appropriate ice sculptures. Not only that, but Joy went to the trouble to stick little Post-it notes on various pages that she felt were good ideas. Of course, I didn't actually look through these things until I was in the privacy of my own room. No need rubbing my mom's nose in it.
    So, I can see this isn't going to be easy. And I don't really want to complain to Josh about his mother's input. I realize she's just trying to help. And to be fair, she does have some good ideas, and her taste (well, other than those big-ticket items) is probably more like mine than my mother's. Naturally, I can't admit this to Mom.
    That's what made me decide to ask Aunt Steph's opinion while I'm at her house. After I tell her my little story of the wedding gown skirmish, and after she recovers from laughing, she reminds me that it's my wedding.
    “Well, yours and Josh's.” She cradles little Clayton on her lap. He's about three years old now and appears to be nearly asleep. “He missed his nap today,” she whispers as she gracefully moves him to the couch. Then she stands up and sighs. “Of course, a wedding is about families too.”
    “I know. And really, I want everyone to be happy and have a good time. But I think it's going to be tricky.”
    She sits back down across from me. “I guess you and Josh will have to settle on your priorities.”
    “Like what? You've helped with weddings at the church, Steph. What do you tell people to do?”
    “Well, the weddings at our church are usually fairly simple affairs,” she says. “Not everyone wants to get married in an old retail building.”
    I nod. “That's another thing. Josh's parents really want us to get married in their church.”
    “Is that Saint