Matrimony

Well folks…here it is. The official wedding week post. It is long…so pace yourself. And I don’t have any pictures yet because obviously I didn’t take any because I was in them all. Those will come later.
All I have to say is holy craziness.
I have no idea how everything got done in that week, how I saw and talked to so many different people, how I was able to find time to see my fiancé, and how I was able to keep sane (well…for the most part).

Big events of the week:
Thursday I went to the temple for the first time. It was wonderful. It was what I expected, how I imagined it would be, and it made me feel pretty good at the preparation I have taken the past few years (well…and my entire life). It was so nice to be there with so many people who love me. I felt so blessed to walk in and see family from all sides there to support me and help me feel more comfortable. Thanks family.

Friday morning I woke up in the living room next to one of my best friends, Jill. Danny and I made breakfast (waffles and strawberries) and all the roommies ate together. It was a good last morning in the apartment. I graduated from BYU. I wore a black dress, my grandmother’s pearls, and my mom’s black open-toed satin pumps. I looked good. Except all you could see were the pumps because I was wearing a dark blue zip-up tent over the top of it all. Honesty…I didn’t even bother doing my hair. Our graduation was in the Marriot Center which meant there were a lot of people and it was going to be forever long—which it was. At one point everyone in the row I was sitting on counted and compared the number of strings on our tassels. It was great fun. Time came to line-up. It was longer than the lines at Disneyland, but we got through a little quicker—and I even had an adrenalin rush on the way up. No, not because of excitement; I slipped. Yep. I am a ballroom dancer who runs, dances, jumps in heels in competition in front of hundreds of people trying to get people to watch me—and the moment I am solo with everyone in the Marriot Center watching me…I slip. Luckily for everyone I caught myself before I face-planted—as there were railings to grab onto. It wasn’t too bad—but there was irony involved. Walking up to the stage there was a slight ramp with railings. On the floor just after you stepped onto the ramp there was a laminated sign which read “Watch Your Step.” And yes, that is what was so slippery that my pump couldn’t handle. Then I proceeded to walk up to meet my dean who was smiling his mischievous little grimace. Now the deans usually whisper something like “Congratulations” “well done” “way-to-go.” I got a “you shouldn’t have worn heels.” And that pretty much sums up my relationship with Dr. Crandall. Pretty sure I have a shocked look on my face in the picture they snapped. That was pretty much all the exciting news for my graduation. Thrilling—but hey…you only graduate once (except I did graduate in High School, and someday a Masters—so in my case, you only graduate three times).

Saturday was the BIG day. I got married. I met Danny (a little late—sorry babe!) at the temple with my mom and his dad. I was surprised at all the people who were already there waiting in the lobby. The lady who was my guide explained things to me like six different times and I still forgot how she wanted me to do things—but I kept telling her that I understood. The sealer met with Danny and I before the sealing and we talked for a bit. He was a really funny guy and was very interested in Danny’s mission. It was fun to get a moment to just sit and talk. Then we went into the sealing room where everyone was waiting. There were people who came that I didn’t expect to see there and that was a wonderful surprise! Again, I don’t remember anything really about the sealing except he advised us to be good neighbors…which we plan to do—funny because it was something we had talked about before we got married. When he told us to kiss as husband and wife Danny was being all slow—I don’t know why—probably trying not to embarrass himself with doing something silly. No worries—I took care of that myself. I wanted to kiss him so I helped things along and kissed him. It brought some laughs. Then everyone was able to greet and hug us. That was one of my favorite parts of the whole day. I loved getting to hug, kiss, and talk to family members and friends that I don’t get to see very often inside the temple. It was wonderful. I held it together pretty well until Jill reached me with teary eyes. After that it was all downhill for my mascara from there. I know it was an emotional time for many (as it was for me) to be able to see me there very happily married to a wonderful priesthood holder—doing everything at that moment right.
We took some pictures at the temple but it started raining so most were taken at the museum later that night (which was nice because it gave me time to fix my makeup and rained/wind whipped hair). The reception. I don’t know really what to say. First: it was beautiful. A lot of planning, people, resources, and time was put into that and know one really knew how it was going to turn out. It just worked. For me: I don’t know where all the time went. The events we planned (cake, dancing, bouquet) went pretty smoothly, but I felt like the time went way to fast. I have to apologize about not having a line—we were going to do one, but it just didn’t work out. I, however, had a magnificent time walking around and talking to people. My mom always said I was the social butterfly in the family—and for the first time I really felt like one. It was so great to flit around and chat with people I know, love, and rarely get to see. My photographer was so wonderful and attentive—I would ask her to come over and shoot pictures with people and she was there. I think I have more pictures with my Grandpa Bob than I do with Danny! All-in-all I loved the reception. It looked exactly like I wanted it (and even better in some parts), the cake tasted wonderful, Nicole caught my bouquet (I aimed it in her direction), and I left feeling like a celebrity.
Then it was happily ever after.
No. There is more to the story. When we got back to Danny’s house to change and we went to get into the car to drive away I realized through a series of unfortunate events that I had left my purse at the reception (car keys, wallet, phone). We had to wait at Danny’s house with his family for a little over a half an hour until someone showed up with me purse. Someday Danny will think it was funny…someday.

For all of those who do not yet know where we went…Danny took me to San Diego, California.