Introductions

Hi,
My name is Michaela O’Neill.
I live in New Zealand, I’m 22 years old, I’m engaged to Simon Hulse, and I am getting married on the 18th of July - I hope.

Last week, I thought that planning a wedding was stressful. There seemed to be so much to do, and I was late to do all of it. On top of that, I was a Theology student, sister to a 12 year old and 13 year old sisters, (And a 20 year old brother, but he doesn’t need me so much) and, okay, I will use this term, ‘pet- mummy’ to three cheeky rabbits and two cats. Well, now planning my wedding feels like the least of my concerns.

In the days since the reality that this crisis was inevitably going to impact New Zealand, my life, and my wedding planning, in a big way, hit, I have found myself looking on the internet to see how others are going through the same experience. I feel that in sharing the experience, I feel less alone. I have created this blog to share my experiences. It is called “Not so secret thoughts of a pandemic bride to be” but it is not only going to be about wedding/ bridal stuff. I make a lot of jokes about the situation. Some might think they’re in bad taste, but I believe there’s great value in laughter, it can turn your outlook from one of despair, anxiety, panic, dread, to one of finding joy and humour even in the little things.

I am also aware, as I make my jokes, that I am not likely to be affected anywhere near as badly as many others have. I have had to drastically alter my wedding plans, that is nothing compared to the pain of the many people who has lost family members, or the pain, fear, and isolation of many more battling pneumonia alone in hospitals. Or even the loneliness and boredom of those who live alone in our society, who are now very alone. These are situations I could not make jokes of. These are tragic, and if this is happening to you, I am sorry. I can’t make this situation any better. I can’t even make you feel any better, but I hope that sharing my experiences, and my bad-taste jokes, will help somebody, even if it’s only myself.