Cordial Chronicles #1 - An Introduction (The ABCs of Getting Married)

For whom the bells toll? If it's of the matrimonial variety, then I guess those bells toll for my lady @randomli and I. Yes, that's right. You heard it here first. In a week's time, both of us would be officially off the market.

For almost a year now, I've been putting up posts about it on the STEEM blockchain. Granted, it's not the monthly series that I initially envisioned, but the declining interaction made me throttle it down a bit. It's not my nature to oversaturate things, you see. If you're new here and are interested to know more about it, here's a link to my proposal post from May. Go on and skim through it, I'll wait.

Done? Wow! That was quick! Did you like it? I mean, did you like it though? Care to read the sequel? Yes? That's awesome! No, wait... you're awesome! Here's a link to the sequel, you legend!

To round it all out, here's the link to the third part. I mean, you're already invested in the story, so why not, right?

As the title overtly suggests, this series is meant to chronicle our journey to get to this point. Unlike my previous engagement posts, I'll try not to drift off into the realms of fiction for this one. Please keep in mind that the operative word is "try." Life has already met fiction, so I don't want them to grow any contempt for each other.

I plan to make this a daily series while going on the final stretch of our wedding preps, so I apologize if I would't be able to reciprocate comments. I'll make up for it if I ever make it back to Steemit. I want to take this opportunity to apologize to the people whose posts I wouldn't be able to comment on. I'm miles away from "I have a lot of stuff on my plate."

You may ask, why am I piling up tasks while I'm already in way over my head. To that I'll reply, "Good question. Next."

When I first started doing the engagement posts, I had hoped that the earnings I received from these posts would go toward the fulfillment of a STEEM-Powered wedding. As you can see, it peaked at the second and sharply dropped for the third, and that's okay. It can't be helped. I guess I'm just (or my posts just aren't) not that appealing enough. No complaints on my end, it is what it is. I'm happy for all the earnings and interaction that my posts received! Warms my heart to have such awesome people taking notice.

I'm going to be honest here for a second (because apparently I've been lying this whole time), the costs for the wedding really burned through our savings. We met the ceiling for our budget months ago, and all we could do was wave at it as we flew past that mark. Good thing I've saved quite enough to pay for more than my share. But, that has left me quite destitute. And by destitute, I'm exaggerating, of course. I still have a roof over my head (for now) and I'm lucky to eat three square meals every day. My savings aren't as glimmering as it used to be, if you could still call it that.

To that end, I'm powering down for the first time since I came back from my hiatus to provide a sort of stop-gap. I'm not quite sure when the power down will stop, but I hope to at least make up at least 25% of what I've spent. So far, the wedding is mostly Foxy-Powered (from my last remaining savings that I earned from working for @lukestokes' company) with a little BOOM Power on the side (care of my brother like no other @meesterboom). I'm hoping that this mini-series would be able to make up for at least a small fraction.

I have never mooched off anyone, and I have never begged ever in my entire life. Ever since I started writing here, all I've ever posted is 100% original work, genuinely Jed, authentically AU. I've encouraged people to be their best selves, and I pushed a lot of Steemians to do their best. My votes aren't worth a lot, so I make up for it with awesome comments. I'm happy that a lot of those comments make an impact. So, what I'm saying is, I'm not asking for votes if you feel that I'm unworthy of it. By all means, go allocate your votes to more deserving Steemians. But, if you find it in your heart to cast even a small vote for an Old Minnow who's about to go through a life-changing transition, then I appreciate it very much! :D

It's funny, when I started here, I focused on trying to impart life lessons by telling stories of past experiences. But, who was I to educate people who had more life experiences than I did? So, I pivoted to fiction. I had a decent run, I feel. I never hit the top trending ever, and all the earnings for my STEEM-based novel was transferred to its inspiration @zeppelin. After six months of tirelessly uploading chapters and commentary, all my account made was inchstones. But, I appreciate all of the solid friends I made during that run. Plus, helping a child who couldn't help himself felt really great, too!

I've been sputtering around in recent months, trying to find a solid identity, and while it's been great fun, I feel like I haven't captured a solid audience like I should. For this series, I'm flipping the script and asking people their advice. I have never been married before, I haven't even lived with anyone before. Honestly, I have no idea what I'm getting into. When I was at the top of my game, I was working three jobs at the same time, and I even had a place of my own. But, when I left the corporate world, I decided to move back to my parents' and dreamt of starting ventures, which so far has been duds.

I am by no means discouraged though, don't get wrong. I'm excited to get back after I take a break to readjust my life. Consider this mini-series a long-winded "until next time." Consider this post as me putting down my armor and exposing myself to the world. A heartfelt thanks goes out to anyone who heeds my call. Any amount of vote is very much appreciated.

Whew! That felt good to let out of my chest. Feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders!

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_{I've been campaigning for @lukestokes witness account @lukestokes.mhth for months now because I knew him way before Steemit. I can vouch that he's an awesome individual who has nothing but the best intentions for this platform. As I mentioned, my share of the expenses have been mostly from my last remaining savings from working for FoxyCart. Even though my contract has ended for a couple of years now, I would forever hold fond memories of my time there. Please do consider voting for him as a witness!}

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_{Join me in my Year of Resilience!}