The Things I’ll Never Forget

There were many beautiful things about our wedding. There were so many blessings, and a whole lot of happy moments that I’ll treasure forever.  Most of all, though, it is the people that I will not forget.

We were surrounded by family and a little dream of mine came true, for I was surrounded by not only my sisters, Alicia, Jennie, Alina and Katie, but by the  some of dearest people in the whole world. Sometimes I don’t think that any of it could have happened without them- for the joy wouldn’t have been as great, and though perhaps they wouldn’t admit it to any one, I know that a whole lot of time, effort and love were poured into that day to make it what it was- a perfect, wonderful, beautiful day.

Words failed me when I tried to say thank you, just a few moments before I stepped into the aisle to go to my Sweetheart. Instead, tears threatened to overflow, and all the gratitude and thankfulness I felt inside refused to find expression. All I could do was squeeze each one tight, and whisper “Thank You”. It felt so small of a thing to say for all that they did, yet somehow I hope that it conveyed the depths of my heart at that moment.

It was important to me to be surrounded by family and our close and mutual friends, but I never expected so many of the relatives I haven’t seen for so very long – or even those I’d never met before-to take the time and effort to come out to our wedding in the little white church. But they came. They came from as far away as Alaska, my old childhood home, from Arizona, from California, and from scattered places in Washington and Oregon. They overwhelmed us with their kindness, the way they stepped in to help, and the way that they shared our joy. I didn’t know how many would make it, but when I looked into the church and saw it filled with family, it made me feel warm inside. As one person said, after the ceremony, when they called for the family to step up for pictures, nearly all the guests “swarmed” up onto the platform. It was a happy thing.

Merritt & Gretchen made more than one trip to the airport, they loaned us little Ruthie to be our adorable wagon-riding flower girl, and offered smiles and help in many different ways through out the weekend.

Aaron & Johanna came early and  spent hours helping us with preparations the night before the wedding,  and hours driving me around and even going out at an odd hour of the early morning to make sure that I didn’t go too long without something to eat. I’m  not sure Taco Bell ever tasted quite so good as it did that time! Johanna was my hair dresser, and even though it was her first time, and what we had originally thought to do didn’t work out with the veil,  my hair turned out perfectly beautiful. I liked it even better than our original plan! She helped the other girls with their hair too, and I’m planning to hire her next time I need a formal hairstyle.

Natalie was my constant companion. She waited on me as if I were royalty and did so many little things for me that no one would have noticed in the busy rush of the day except her. She helped me with my hair, my dress and when the phone was ringing nearly constantly and I suddenly wondered if I’d ever manage to get done in time, she quietly reminded me that it really was okay to just turn off the phone. So I did- and I was ready in time, and able to walk down that aisle unstressed and unafraid of what seemed like an over abundance of eyes looking my way. It meant much to me to have her there.

Bethany was our photographer, and she amazed me.Somehow she captured not just the day, but the spirit and happiness and emotion. She seemed to be everywhere at once, but never distracted or even seemed to be “there” during the ceremony. That’s a talent that few have. Her time and energy and expertness deserve much more than what she asked for, and I feel unworthy.

Matthew & Angela helped with the cake and  the reception. They did an amazing job, too! My brother, Craig, who agreed to do the homily for our wedding, even though I know it was a new step out of his comfort zone, but he did so well. Kandace, who played the violin for us and did a beautiful job and the Pastor & his wife of the little church we rented, helped with decorating when time was getting tight and we didn’t have enough help and who set up a place to sign our marriage license so it would be pretty in the pictures- all this even though we were strangers to them, and they didn’t have to do anything. It all means so much to us.

April  & Ashleigh worked wonders on the flowers which for a few moments that pre-wedding night, looked dauntingly like a disaster to me. They stayed up till past 3 in the morning to complete them, and they were beautiful.

April has the talent for somehow creating exactly what I have pictured in my mind so closely that it never ceases to amaze me, for the flowers and the dresses were both so exactly what I wanted that I could have cried.

Ash was just everywhere- helping with photography, helping with decorating, helping with everything.  And it was Ashleigh, when the ceremony was over, and several times through out the remainder of the day, stopped me and said “You’re…you’re married. Can you believe that you’re married?!”

It’s those words that I hear at random times in my mind, as I am working in the kitchen or sitting by Scott in the evening having worship and reading our nightly story together. And I grin, and once again relive the happy memories made, and feel that I am blessed beyond measure to have friends such as these who share life with me.

But now, the wedding is over. I am settling into our own little home here in Northern Idaho, and enjoying it all so much. There were so many people who made the day what it was, and I have a lifetime ahead of me in which I hope to be able to show our thankfulness for each one.

Yet, when I sit down in a quiet moment, and review the day, OUR day, tears once again fill my eyes, and my grateful heart remembers. It always will, for Kindness, and the people behind that Kindness can never be forgotten.