Let me just preface these stories by saying that getting married is one of the most difficult, most thrilling and most talked about days of your life. I went into this experience feeling the entire range of emotions. Happiness that I was marrying my best friend, sadness that some of my most dearly loved ones were not here on this earth to witness it, confusion about how to plan the whole thing, and nervousness to be in front of so many people. Spencer and I both griped and laughed and planned and shared tears about this event. It was truly a defining moment, a whole series of moments, that we will never forget.
I thought a lot about how this day would come, and what it would be like. He and I carved out the day out of something we felt really stood for who we were. And I am very proud of us. There were times that it felt like the day got away from us. But in the end, all of it was about our lives coming together, and we were truly surrounded by people who cared so dearly for us. And that is all that we wanted.
We decided to have the ceremony at my parent's house, in their backyard. Looking back on the day, with all the work that we put it into it, I am not sure I would choose to do this again - that is if I only thought about the work and stress that this decision caused. However, I absolutely MUST say that choosing to do it this way allowed us both to feel that we were getting married in a place that was special to our families, honoring those we love that are now gone, and honoring our time-tested relationship. You may know this picture (that my photographer father took) from when Spencer took me to his senior prom in 2004? Yes, that's right, is in the same place that we got married.
We also have a lot of great memories from building the patio. Oh yeah, did I mention that we BUILT THE PATIO THAT WE ARE STANDING ON in the picture above. Yes, that is right. And I laid those bricks.
You didn't think that I was a master brick layer, did ya? Here's proof.
We dug out the spot, very scientifically of course.
Rototilled it.
And I helped.
And then we rented a plate compactor! And I helped again!
And then laid the brick. And there are a lot of pictures of me doing this, I swear, but my mom has them (the dog ate them).
And then we took a break and went to First Friday downtown, where we saw Lil' Sebastian!
And then we let the pros finish it off.
So you see, it's true!
Now where were we?
We had the dinner at a local Italian restaurant called Trepedda's Italian Ristorante. A family favorite of both Spencer's and mine, we enjoyed a relaxed, drawn out dinner with wine, pizza, and their trademark Italian dishes.
I love how everyone kept switching seats to talk and get to know one another. There were many toasts, so much laughter, and probably too much wine at times.
My lovely sister and me.
Our dear family friend David was the officiant at the ceremony, and he flew all the way out from Maine for a little over 24 hours to be there. He has known my dad since their college years, and his family is the reason I found the college I did, way across the country in my beloved Massachusetts.
The great thing about David is that he is both an engineer and a pastor. Him and Spencer speak the same language, he has known me and my sister since we were born, and our wedding was the first wedding he officiated as a new pastor. It was truly, truly special to all of us.
Five of my best friends flew all the way out from Boston for the occasion. Three of my best, best girlfriends, and two brothers who I think of as my own. We also had all of Spencer's friends there as well, including an old friend of Spencer's who also flew out from Boston.
We were so honored that they took time off and came all the way out for our special day. It wouldn't have been the same without them.
And it wouldn't have been the same without this girl, Tessa, my oldest friend. She pretty much trumps everyone who came to the event, because she flew across the world to be there. We met when were nine, and have been through more ups and downs than any one I have known. Now she lives in Israel, and I only get to see her every few years. She gave a beautiful toast, and then ended it in Hebrew - which is more special to me than she can ever know.
The whole evening was incredible. It almost tops the actual wedding day, just because it was such an extended amount of time with the people Spencer and I both hold so close to us. And it was so great to see them all together, in the same room.
It definitely foreshadowed the day to come, and how much love would be in the room all around us.
Thanks to my dad for planning out the special evening.
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more to come soon!
Our Love Story: Part 3
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