-Told TJ that I loved him in August
-Decided our future for marriage in September
-He proposed on September 30, 2016!
-Moved back to Michigan on December 3 to plan our wedding!
-Married on February 18, 2017
WOW! It looks so simple writing it out like that. I didn't include all the excitements and good feelings, all the nights I laid in bed looking at the ceiling praying, "God please please - show me certainly that this is your will," all the discussions and questions and work that we put into this decision.
And yet, though those things are important to my personal shaping and confidence, they are not seen by the world - we are what we choose. Those decisions are what is seen, and the small choices balled into the big ones creates who we are. I am so thankful for those times yet I am thrilled to be here where I am!
The wedding was a joy. I set out to enjoy the planning time, the time with family, and "the day." My brother told me the night before to imagine that I had already experienced my wedding and that this was a redo. "Everyone says they wish they could relive their wedding day, well think of this as your chance to relive it." That helped keep it in perspective. I've also been in seven weddings so I know that mistakes happen and that its a crazy rush of a day.
A few of the laughable memories:
-Mom forgot the key to the church so Kass and I were doing my makeup in the parking lot
-Barrett, "You married now. I love you Married."
-Will, Barrett, and Linden rushed down the aisle and left Imogen standing there! Thank you Matthew for escorting her down the rest of the way.
-TJ blowing on my face during the "I Will's" (while Pastor Mark was looking down)
-Katie laughing at TJ and Pastor Mark looking over reproachfully at her
-TJ and I emphatically saying "I Do!"
-When Joel and Matthew were lighting the candles and Joel's wasn't lighting, Grandpa Howard yelling so the whole church could hear, "C'mon Joel!"
-Family skit!
-Our entrance to the reception: TJ and I slow motion walking to each other (me walking backwards then forward because he took so long!)
-TJ feeding himself the cake
-TJ licking me instead of kissing me with the tingling
-Us beating our parents in the shoe game! Such pros and only married a few hours! ;)
-Rushing with pictures and taking them in front of the Birmingham courthouse
-The kids coming to the reception! Last minute the babysitter got sick and I am so glad they were there! The kids loved the photo booth.
-Grandma Jo Anne taking Grandma Neva to the photo booth
-Dad's speech -joke interpretive dance set to "Strangers in the Night"
-Photo booth with TJ - SuperDave gave us all the props
-Photo booth with TJ - SuperDave gave us all the props
A few of the meaningful memories:
-Praying with the bridesmaids and Mom and singing
-Getting to see all the family in the basement before the ceremony
-Looking directly at TJ while walking down
-Holding onto his arm and feeling his closeness while listening to Pastor Mark's address
-Pastor Bob giving communion - sharing about the bridegroom coming
-Our parents praying over us
-Elisabeth and Katie singing "Love Through Me Love of God"
-Reciting our vows
-Holding on to TJ's arm and feeling him squeeze my hand
-TJ saying, "You look beautiful"
-Mom and Dad's speeches - welcoming TJ into the family, showering us with love
-Maegan's speech - fantasy family, praising us, and encouraging us
-Chris' speech - kind words about us
-People coming up to me and talking
-Faith Talbot coming
-Running through the exit with everyone
-Getting in the car with TJ, sighing and plugging the address of the hotel into the phone
It was a wonderful day and maybe there was more that went wrong, but I don't remember them. I remember laughing, sitting proudly by my husband, seeing all the faces that I love and know sitting together. It was like being together at a restaurant. Though I may not have been able to speak with everyone, I could enjoy watching everyone enjoy themselves.
It was a perfect day.
-Elisabeth and Katie singing "Love Through Me Love of God"
-Reciting our vows
-Holding on to TJ's arm and feeling him squeeze my hand
-TJ saying, "You look beautiful"
-Mom and Dad's speeches - welcoming TJ into the family, showering us with love
-Maegan's speech - fantasy family, praising us, and encouraging us
-Chris' speech - kind words about us
-People coming up to me and talking
-Faith Talbot coming
-Running through the exit with everyone
-Getting in the car with TJ, sighing and plugging the address of the hotel into the phone
It was a wonderful day and maybe there was more that went wrong, but I don't remember them. I remember laughing, sitting proudly by my husband, seeing all the faces that I love and know sitting together. It was like being together at a restaurant. Though I may not have been able to speak with everyone, I could enjoy watching everyone enjoy themselves.
It was a perfect day.
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