I have also been pretty busy for the last month or so because I was blessed with the duty of being my friend Allison's maid of honor in her wedding this past weekend.
I have actually been pretty nervous about being involved in this big day! I've never been in a wedding, let alone been an honor attendant...and though we have remained close throughout the years, Allison and I are pretty different. I knew the wedding would be pretty traditional, and I don't keep up with those things...would my tattoos scare everyone? What if her parents didn't like me? I was sure there'd be things I was supposed to do that I wasn't even aware of. And I have to give a speech?! Whaaat? But, ultimately I figured out that all I really had to do was support my friend and try to be a ray of sunshine so Allison could have the wedding of her dreams.
And I'm pretty sure she did! There she is with Matt, her new husband. The ceremony at Summit Woods Baptist Church was very nice, included a message on marriage, traditional vows, and unity candle lighting. They were so cute talking to each other and praying while the unity candle song played!
Then it was time to eat and...dance! And yes, my silly friends: a reception without alcohol can still be fun! Allison's friend Abigail tried somewhat successfully to teach me the hustle and I got to dance with the handsome ring bearer, Tim (Allison's nephew and the energizer bunny of wedding reception boogy-ing) I also got to catch up with some really great gals I met in February at the Bridal Shower.The bride and groom's first dance was "You're the Inspiration" by Chicago. Sweet!
When everything wound down, we sent Allison and Matt off to Chateau Avalon (<3<3<3)>
I was really and truly blessed to be a part of this wedding. Everything was just perfect: The sunshine that showed up around 2:30 on the wedding day when we'd had a week of rainy forecasts, the lack of wedding day disasters...The obvious love between the families for their children and especially between the bride and groom would have warmed up the room if it had been 20 degrees in there! This is an experience I will always treasure.
Heather (Allison's friend from college) and Allyson (her sister-in-law) were SO great to get to know. I am going to miss those girls and the hundreds of e-mails we've sent each other in the last few months! They are both so sweet and positive and seriously inspire me. I'm hoping we can all stay in touch!
It seems like every time I get really cynical and try to be all bad-ass and hard, God shows me that I can still be myself in any situation. My experiences have been different than a lot of people who grew up the way I did, and I look at some things differently, but that's okay. Everyone was so sweet and thankful for everything I tried to help with this weekend.
I can't imagine a better way to kick off Allison and Matt's life together...I hope it was everything you dreamed it would be darlin'!
