June 4, 2021 (Part 1)

Blogging, as much as I want it to be hassle-free and purely for my own enjoyment, can become a bit of a burden. The enneagram-3 achiever in me insists on near perfect punctuation and compelling language even though, again, there are exactly two people who ever look at this blog. But every once in a while, I pop on here and reminisce on the hills and valleys of life. It is crazy to think that at end of a  2019 recap, I talked about going on a date with a man. Reading  that blog post brings a fresh wave of nostalgia as I relive that awkward Starbucks handshake, that coffee I was too nervous to drink and those blue eyes that I couldn't pull away from. The hand that I once nervously shook now bears a ring which symbolizes an eternal  covenant...to me. A life so crazy it often doesn't make sense, and a moment I hope to never forget.

So that's why I pop back on every once in a while. I want to remember these days. Blogging is a more convincing memory vault than, say, my nearly-shredded composition book where I scribble down phrases like, "hard day God help us" or "pick up taco seasoning." Those real, raw, rushed reflections are authentic but often don't tell the full story. Blogging is when I can sit down and really piece together the nitty gritty details...or at least the ones I feel like sharing.

One of those nitty gritties that I absolutely can't not share is a day known as June 4th,  2021. I deemed  it  on Instagram as the "happiest day of my life" and that wasn't hyperbolic. Not even a little. I have never felt so thankful, ecstatic, emotional, celebrated, and held.

5:40am- I woke up way too early beneath my teal sheets that had covered my slumber since early high school. Despite having a four-bedroom house, my sister and I opted to make the basement bedroom an  extra closet so that we could have more room for  clothes; but mostly so we could share a room. I woke up beside her for the last time. We cried the night before, and Mom and Dad came in and cried with us as soon as they heard our tearful giggles. My entire bridal party slept downstairs on slowly-deflating air mattresses and shabby futons.

6:00am- I sipped coffee and read Psalms with Mom. I journaled a prayer for the day, asking God to show up in big and beautiful ways and that every moment would point to Him.

7:00am- I finished writing my vows, chatted with Lilly and Reyna in the kitchen, and drove to Rock Point. We were met by Faith, who did our hair, Demi, who did our make-up, and tons of people popping in to see how they could help. The girls arrived in groups as they slowly woke up and made Starbucks runs. People colored and did devos while others curled hair. I mostly spent a lot of time laughing.

11:00am- The eyelashes were glued in place with plenty of time to spare. Nana had made cucumber sandwiches to accompany my parents' smorgasbord of snacks. I ate and then brushed my teeth four different times before I decided it was okay to just brush once before the ceremony.

12:00pm- We sat outside in the sun, played hot seat, asked Mom marriage questions and questions about crushes, first kisses, faith and failures and flirting styles. It was my greatest pleasure to be in the presence of my ten closest friends.

2:30- Kayla arrived. She miraculously sewed everyone's dresses and set the scene for detail shots and laid out the schedule in  order for the day to run smoothly. My friends prayed over me.

3:30- I put my dress on with Mom. For as long as I live, I will never forget how beautiful she looked. She  was glowing with a Godly radiance that I hope to emulate someday. My friends squealed and we laughed and group hugged and took pictures together. 

4:30- We arrived at Bannons where I saw my dad. He made me sob with his words of encouragement and a journal he has been writing ever since I met Joe. It is one of the sweetest gifts I have ever received.

5:00- I did my first look with my soon-to-be husband. We couldn't stop kissing and I couldn't stop thanking God for the  man he provided. Family and friends gathered around for pictures and Kayla worked us through different poses like a well-oiled machine. Extra time granted us the opportunity to make a Big Dipper run, so Joe and I snagged a chocolate milkshake and headed back to Rock Point.

To Be Continued...

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