July 22, 2010: We Rehearsed...

The wedding rehearsal was surreal.  One groomsman was violently ill, another was missing, and we'd forgotten to bring the marriage license.  We didn't start on time; I got the evil eye from many for not adequately publicizing that there would be cameras; after running around and worrying and wanting everything to be perfect, I just sat down.  I gave up.  I talked to my friends and my family and my soon-to-be groom.  I let it all go; I was happy.


Everything started and finished just fine, except that I never started paying attention.  I had someone else play my part and walk down the aisle; I answered a few questions and changed a few things; but, other than that, I remained unconcerned.  I had finally resigned to the fact that no matter what happened in that chapel on Saturday, everything would be fine.  Maybe it would've been helpful to listen to Mr. Lou talk about what was going to happen, but I didn't.  Maybe I should've sat closer to the front so that I could interject my thoughts, but I didn't.  I just sat and watched and started to understand.  I started to understand that Hub and I really were getting married.  I started to understand that all of the preparations and stress and worry and fun had come down to this.  It was time.  It was time for me to decide that the memories surrounding my wedding weekend would be fun and joyous and entertaining and stress free as possible. So, I decided that I was done worrying and perfecting.  Things would turn out alright.  The good Lord would take care of me, of us, and He did.  Of course, He did.


When I write down all these feelings I had and these decisions I made in a one hour time span, it sounds so serious and deep, but it wasn't.  I was bored.  I was ready to leave.  I already knew about everything that was happening because I had played the tape in my head over and over of what my wedding would look like.  I knew everything would be just fine, just beautiful because I'd already seen it a million times.  Finally, I was confident that everything really would be absolutely, positively perfect.  And I understood that any piece of the wedding that didn't turn out absolutely, positively perfect would be out of my control, anyway, and probably wouldn't matter in a week's time.


It was a beautiful revelation.

Thank You Isn't Good Enough

Remember day before yesterday when I said I'd be back tomorrow to talk about my bridal party?  It looks like I meant the day after tomorrow which would be today which would mean I'm right on schedule.  Right?  Right.  Okay, here we go.

This picture of all of us outside the chapel and the one on the beach are two of my absolute favorites from the wedding.
Aren't we all just precious? ;)

Here I am with all of the boys. Starting with the upside down one and going clockwise, you have: Jakie, the Prince, Dubbie, Tylando, Will D., Jimmy(the one you can barely see), Ando, and Caber.

The bridesmaid's didn't get as crazy, perhaps due to the dresses.  I don't want to leave the impression that they're lame or anything because they're pretty awesome.  Starting from the left: Kanis, Too, Hub, the Princess, Kitty, Tater, and Charles.

UNRELATED TO POST: Perhaps I should add  a little note about nicknames.  I use many, but not all, of these nicknames in real life.  Mostly the girls' are real and useable, the boys' are a little less so.  I go with nicknames on my blog because I don't think it's fair to plaster someone's name all about the internet.  I just thought you'd like to know that. :)

I conceived this whole notion of appreciation for my bridal party to start off the posts about my wedding quite a while ago. The execution of this, however, has been a little tricky.  I had a million different ideas, and every, single one of them seemed inadequate.  Finally I realized that I can't adequately describe how much these lovely ladies and gentlemen mean to me.  Each of them contributed to the fun of the wedding weekend.  They weren't just there to take up space.  They were there because Hub and I love them all very dearly.  These people are more than friends; they're our family.  They're my brothers and sisters.

Each of them, in their own special way, has taught me what true friendship is and what it means to be able to count on people. I feel so blessed that my bridal party ended with these very special people in it; I feel so blessed that my bridal party ended up containing the people I truly wanted to stand next to Hub and I as we took our vows.

I consider it an honor that each of them so enthusiastically agreed to participate in the wedding festivities, but, more than that, I consider it an honor to know each of them.  They are beautiful men and women who will change the face of this earth for the better.

6 Months, and I Forgot.

Hub and I have been married six months today! Don't worry, that's not what I forgot.  These past six months have flown by, and I've enjoyed every  minute.  Except those minutes I was really, really sick after our honeymoon. Since it's been six whole months and my mouth has been shut about it, I think it's time to talk about my wedding.  Right after our wedding, we went on a cruise for a week, drove to Atlanta, then to Arkansas, packed all our stuff, some sickness was trying to kill me, moved to Louisville, and good gracious I was too exhausted to talk!  Believe it or not, my friends, that last sentence is no exaggeration.  It was a whirlwind, maybe 25 whirlwinds.  I can't be certain.  After we got settled I wanted to write about our wedding, but I didn't know what to say.  Things like, "IT WAS SO COOL!!!" "It was the most funnest ever!" "Hub and I were married in a fairytale setting.." etc, etc.  just didn't seem right.  I needed time to process.  I think I've had plenty, so here we go.  If you'd like to read about how it all got started, click here for our engagement story.  (If that' link isn't working for you, I'm sorry. I don't know why.  If you're still curious, check out October 2009. The Ouachita Trial. )



On another note, I forgot to post Sunday Snippets yesterday because I'm a failure at life.  Actually, that's not true. :) I forgot to post Sunday Snippets yesterday because this apartment has turned into Project City.  When you figure out all the different projects I spent my weekend on, you'll forgive.  Mostly I'm just talking to my dad.  He hounds about these things.  Anyway, more on Project City later.

Stop by tomorrow for some Bridal Party Appreciation. :)

A Birthday Extravaganza

Hub woke up earlier than anticipated, which was still not early enough because I had already been up for almost an hour.  (Despite my ridiculous amount of excitement, I did not wake him up.  I should get a gold star for that, by the way.  I get a little too excited for birthdays.)  The extravaganza started with a hunt around the house for 24 notes.  One for each year he has lived, and one to grow on.  The hunt didn't last long because our house, which is really an apartment, is not too big, and all the notes were hidden in plain sight.  Once he had found and read all of his notes, he got to figure out the secret message.  See above.

 Then, it was time for presents.  Yes, one of his presents was a Bop It.  Who says 23 year olds can't have a little fun too?

 Next, we had blueberry muffins for breakfast before heading out for the day.  We went to the movies for a double feature.  We saw Little Fockers and The Dilemma.  Both movies were a good choice.  After our day at the cinema was complete, we headed to The Egg Roll Machine for dinner.  Delicious, as always.

I wanted to get a picture before we left for the day, but that didn't happen.
Since he was the birthday boy, I won't make a big deal about it, but let's just say
it wasn't my fault. ;)

When we weren't pleased with any of the shots we got using the camera's timer, Hub resorted to the good ole hold-out-your-arm-and-hope-for-the-best-method.  Not too shabby, I guess.

Also, I should point out that just because a person turns 23 does not mean that he always cooperates during photo opportunities, hence photos 4 and 6.  I should point out, too, that I double checked my wedding vows, and they didn't say anything about not posting silly pictures of your spouse for the world to see, hence photos 4 and 6.

Overall, the Birthday Extravaganza was a smashing success.  

I can't wait for next year.

(I told you I have a problem with too much  excitement over birthdays.)

Happy Birthday to My Husband.

My husband is the kind of man that people say no longer exists.  He opens the car door for me and always remembers his pleases and thank yous and never lets us go to sleep angry.  He cleans up the kitchen and takes out the trash and always remembers to dust.  He is funny and he can dance if he wants to and he is better at ironing than I am.

Five years ago he climbed into my heart and made a home there.  Marrying him was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  It is an honor to be his friend and his wife.  My greatest fear is losing him, and my greatest hope is that he will be immeasurably blessed.

I would walk to the ends of the earth with him because I know he would never stop protecting me or loving me or laughing with me.

I hope the next twenty-three years are even better than these.

Happy Birthday, Hub!