While we intend to get deeper into our pre-engagement history, the week leading up to our marriage seemed sufficient for tonight. Truth be told, I don't remember too many details. Or rather, maybe that's all I remember (really though, isn't that all we remember?) I remember Kellie and Cec came over for game night exactly one week before I got married. That was when Cec told us she was expecting a little Cec/Josh hybrid.
I remember the two watermelons in the fridge that I managed to eat the entirety of during that week, in the blazing heat of late July.
I remember Garrett picked up some extra shift at work, to pad the budget and make up for the time he'd be taking off.
I remember Lizziekins taking in the dress. And taking it in again. And then taking it in four inchec on both sides. And then taking it out. And I loved it.
Garrett and I running to various craft stores to pick up materials for the flowers and boutonnieres, splurging on smoothies.
I remember making lime shortbread cookies, wrapping the dough into misshaped tubes and placing them in the fridge prior to baking.
Being annoyed that I had a perfectly small, round bruised spot on my toenail. I don't know why this irritated me so much.
Getting a manicure/pedicure on Thursday. Making lasagna and stir-fry for dinner that night, as a celebration birthday dinner for Ethan and Mom. Leg wrestling Garrett 20 minutes later. Giving a step-by-step lecture from my self-defense class on how I would grab his testacles and twist them, maintaining a close, low position to the ground and his body. Hearing Garrett squawk his protestations, as Ethan and Mom guffawed and choked on their laughter.
Congratulating myself for breathing, not stressing out, and staying mostly on top of everything. Waking up Friday morning with an ulcer, revealing my dishonesty with myself.
Running all over tarnation on Friday, picking up items for my loving aunts to incorporate into the food for the reception. Smelling the mouth-watering whiffs of our wedding cake baking each time I ran by my aunt's house - the headquarters of productivity.
Sitting at the "rehearsal" dinner with both sides of the family, feeling stressed but grateful for family, good food, and that things were coming together.
Waking up Saturday morning, excited. Staying calm and on-time. Something stressed me out. Garrett and I can't remember what, but it sent me into a frenzy. Secretly dropping our new car off at a benevolent aunt and uncle's to spare its crude decoration. Getting to the temple five minutes late. Finding out that four sealings were scheduled at the same time. Being led through the temple, not knowing what was going on (I think the temple workers were a little frazzled). Waiting with Garrett in the Celestial room, feeling so calm, happy, and blessed, despite some of the frantic-ness of the day.
Briefly speaking with our sealer outside the sealing room. I don't remember his name, but I liked him. He had on a white bow-tie.
Kneeling with Garrett, across the altar, knowing that I was going to start weeping (since we could hardly keeping from crying two weeks earlier as we did proxy sealings in a different temple). Meeting Garrett's loving gaze, tearing up. Smiling like the love-smitten, sappy, bride I was, through my tears, runny nose, and heaving breaths. Kissing Garrett across the altar, trying to keep it short and minimize the exchange of runny-nose, tears, and lipstick. Laughing as the sealer told us we would get better at kissing.
Giving everyone hugs in the sealing room. Someone got foundation on my clothes.
Changing into my wedding dress in ten minutes, only to wait for thirty minutes for the brides ahead of me. Being told I couldn't see Garrett. Being annoyed at the bossy matron who told me so. Sitting cross-legged in my wedding dress in the dressing room, eating a pb&J that I'd had the foresight to pack.
Walking to Garrett, latching on to him, smooching his face. Walking out the doors of the temple. Standing there, wondering what to do next. A flurry of picture-taking, then off to the reception. Another blur of people and smiles. Thank goodness for the wedding video that catches so many of these moments.
Feeling stressed that no one could figure out where the decorations should go... or rather, how to transport them back to our apartment, where wanted them unceremoniously dumped on the floor so we could deal with them another time.
Driving back to the benevolent aunt and uncle's abode to reclaim our untouched car. Laughing at the sticky note a thoughtful and clever cousin had placed on our car; "your car has been officially decorated."
Stopping at Zupas to grab food. Being told congratulations by the staff, feeling slightly incongruous in our dress, suit, and boutonniere. Driving up the canyon to midway, just talking, talking, talking. I love that we have always talked.
Stopping at the stinking maverick to pick up an $8 ice chest and ice to put our leftovers and wedding cake in.
Being so. stinking. happy. that we were married. Taking in the slight unreality of it. Loving that it still felt so natural and good.
Pulling in to the bed and breakfast, being delighted with our room, hauling the gifts up the stairs. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, opening gifts, eating our salad and sandwich.
It's weird but wonderful to think that in three days we'll come upon our four month mark. And we just passed our year mark of courtship. We'll continue the adventures of our outings to park city, san francisco, and seattle in another post, but it's nice to get the pre-wedding week out. I'll turn the computer over to my eternal manfriend...to make my corrections (manfriend speaking)...
A few details neglected by my sweet wife:
First, our kiss across the alter was splendid and had only been toned down for the young single folk in the room...I think that sealer uses the "better kissers" line on everyone....
Second, Michelle was not the only one sobbing in the celestial room. For some reason the faces of my mom and sisters invited a hormonal imbalance that resulted in moisture appearing on my face.
Third, sadly our delicious wedding cake soaked itself to in-edibility in our $8 cooler (note the disdain in both of our voices at the cost of the cooler...my previously owned cooler sat idly in my closet at home).
A point of clarification for my family (accompanied by an air of apology):
I really didn't feel the tiniest bit stressed throughout the wedding preparations or on the wedding day (except for the times I was stressed in empathetic support of Michelle). HOWEVER, I was a tid bit snippy at the end of the reception because I did not want to take down decorations, and did want to be off honeymooning...HOWEVER, I was not just an anxious virgin wanting to rush off for romantic escapades as I was accused of (cough...Chelsea), and really just wanted to be able to TALK to my new wife in the comfort and quietude of an awaiting B & B.
Tips for the soon to be married....
Don't eat at the Blue Iguana unless you want rancid lettuce in your salad and an indifferent server....
Don't eat packaged and processed foods in the "comfort" of your room (or you will experience significant bowel discomfort)...
Don't put candles around the bath tub unless you want a romantic soak for two to involve burnt hair and a call from the fire department...(disclaimer, the fire department was not involved in this instance)
Do watch an animated film in the company of two adults and 35 children while you are the only ones cackling, as the children sit in subdued silence...
Do bring a Thor Hammer to smash the kid behind you who is kicking your seat in the theater...
Other important details not to be forgot:
As my brothers called it, I had "hungry eyes" for Michelle, but who could blame me. She looked stunning in her wedding attire!!
It was amazing how despite the chaos and stresses of the day, the temple really was a moment of peace and pure joy. My bosom swelled with love for Michelle (had to use the word bosom or bodice at least once in this post...p.s. individuals only have one bosom not bosoms).
Roy's yard was fantastic and we will always be grateful for her kindness in letting us use it. We didn't have to worry a tink about anything while we were there.
Our families were incredibly helpful and patient in setting up for the wedding, providing decorations, food and music, etc. We are so grateful.
Making our own decorations using lace and burlap made us feel super hipster. Michelle made her own bouquet and it looked so good. My favorite colors, blue and white mixed with burlap and feathers.
I still have hand cramps from writing addresses on invitations...
I never felt more sure of anything in my life than I did marrying Michelle!!!
