Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Part 11: Vows

Why is it that everything up to the big day is so clear in my mind, but I start thinking about the actual ceremony and my mind goes blank?

It hasn't been *that* long. I keep thinking about all the things I have missed so far in my narrative - the huge commitment of buying a dog together a year before we got married... the bridesmaids dresses that were purchased too early (my sister was visibly pregnant in hers) and probably too hastily and not considering the weather... selecting the DJ... tasting cake... not buying a crinoline for my dress because I didn't want to be pouffy (mistake)...

The list goes on.

But when I think about walking up to the church that late afternoon on March 18th after photos, my mind goes blank.

I remember seeing the junior high kids who were sleeping over at the church and under strict orders to stay upstairs during the ceremony.

I remember getting my mom to help me go to the bathroom again.

I remember my grandmother not speaking to me.

I remember the huge footprint on my train - that bothered me a whole lot more than the weeds and debris.

I remember hearing AB's friend from high school playing Pachabel's Canon.

I remember waiting and waiting because my stepgrandmother and my stepbrother had not arrived. (They never did as they never found the church.)

I remember my parents escorting me down the aisle with my dad on one side and my mom on the other. It was important to me to have them both there.

I remember thinking that (like my sister) I should have tears in my eyes or something. I should be forcing back the tears. But I wasn't. I was just happy.

I remember my sister sobbing uncontrollably (pregnancy hormones - now I get that - but at the time I wondered if we shouldn't stop the ceremony. LOL.)

I remember kissing my husband and making a mental note to not make it a little peck under the advisement of our pastor. To really lay it on.


I remember smiling from ear to ear.

I remember walking out and greeting everyone as they left.

Apparently we had our pictures taken in the church afterwards... or at least that's what the pictures show.

AB's best friend, JB, drove us to our reception site in my husband's Subaru decorated for the occasion.

And I remember it was 8 years ago today.

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