I had good reason to disappear for so long. Remember how I last posted about the universe telling us to slow down? Well, apparently, that was just a pause before the big stuff started. Because big events were coming. And now, I shall endeavor to catch you up.
(Please note: Since I am aware of your reading proclivities, said events will be presented out of order, in deference to their relative level of interest. I'll do my best to hit one event in each entry.)
Last Friday, on 11-11-11, Patrick and I were married!
We had a family and close friends only ceremony on the deck of a favorite restaurant, right around sunset. There was a quarry lake behind us, and our pastor (who was just reassigned to a new church the week before) came back into town to marry us. Our three girls were the flower girls, decked out in dresses made by Patrick's mom. It was lovely. Perfect. Just what we wanted.
We had a reception a few hours later and all our friends and all their kids (there were a ton!) came to celebrate. Afterward, we sent the girls home with their grandparents and escaped to a nearby hotel for a weekend of lovey-dovey-ness and room service.*
Planning for the wedding confirmed what I already knew: Having amazing, talented friends is always a good thing. One friend designed the wedding invitations (digital, thank you) for free. Another, who is a former marine drill seargent-turned-regular corporate gig gal, now makes cakes on the side. She told us to consider it her gift to us. A third happens to be a stellar make-up artist, so she did our hair and make-up and make the girls and I look like glamourous screen starlets. Yet another is a spectacular photojournalist, and she documented the whole shin-dig for free! (I only have a smattering of pictures so far, but I promise to share more as soon as I have them.) Finally, a good friend agreed to take over the coordinating when it was clear to me (and everyone else, frankly) that I was in over my head.
Patrick and I exchanged our own vows, in addition to the traditional ones. We teared up. We hugged and kissed more than is traditionally allowed. It. was. amazing.
I know this seems incredibly brief, but in the interest of getting this posted, and moving on to the next events, I'm just going to run with it!!
Thank you all for hanging in there and checking in on me. My mom has been prodding (mostly gently) for a long time now, so I'm glad to finally come up for air and share the good news!
*Note: Not a single book was cracked on this honeymoon.
