Monday, July 19, 2010

Anniversary Post #2

I am starting this post at 3:40 a.m. Thank you, Restless Legs Syndrome. Have I mentioned that although I'm thankful and very aware of how worth it Ella Kate will be, pregnancy has not been the fun experience I expected? Marriage, however, is a different story. It has been more than I expected...and most definitely a fun experience thus far. I feel like we've been married so much longer than 2 years, but I mean that in a positive way. Many things have happened in just 2 years. Our wedding day seems like it was ages ago. But I still remember so much so vividly.

I was determined not to be stressed on our wedding day. I had been living on my own for 4 years in an apartment that I loved. I wanted to stay there by myself one last night the night before our wedding. It was late when I got in bed. When I got up the next morning, I lay in bed for hours reading a book, The Convenient Groom. I started it earlier that week and wanted to finish that morning. I walked over to the church (across the street) to check things out. I don't recall having breakfast or lunch that day (or supper for that matter), but surely I ate something. When Jennifer arrived to do my hair, I had not even showered! All the bridesmaids arrived and my mom came. We all got ready together. My brother got a haircut on my porch because he had failed to do so before then. It was such an enjoyable time. My husband-to-be thought he needed a round of golf that morning. I have since found out that he drove extremely fast to get back and barely made it to the church on time. We chose to see each other before and had a time together, just the 2 of us. I had written in a journal all the things I could remember from our first date to the present. I gave it to him when we saw each other. He became a little emotional, but I was pretty impressed with how well I was holding up. Pictures began, and were over pretty quickly. We laughed through most of the pictures. The groomsmen were good entertainment that day. I went back to the apartment with the girls. We watched as people began to arrive. The church was packed, and that's an understatement. We were overwhelmed at the number of people who showed up to share in our day with us. We were and continue to be so blessed with people who love us and support us. As the time arrived, the bridesmaids left and my daddy and I were alone. I remember walking over together. As he and I prepared to enter the church, he said something to me that I will remember forever. It wasn't sappy. It was hilarious. And it's probably best that I don't share it on here. But it fits my daddy to a T. I remember everything about the music starting and the doors opening. By the time I got down the aisle to Bradley I was EMOTIONAL. I wasn't sure I would hold it together. I remember Bradley blowing in my eyes. I remember telling him my feet were killing me and I'd never wear those shoes again. He told me he'd never wear his again either. I had my engagement ring on, and I remember him trying to get me to take it off so my wedding band would go on first. I never understood what he meant, and I never took it off. I was so emotional that my vows were a whisper. I could barely speak. I knew if I started crying, I would lose it. My very favorite memory was near the end of the service. My first principal, Mr. Franks, played the trumpet during a time of prayer. It was AMAZING. And during that time, my new husband leaned over me and prayed with me for our life together. It is without a doubt, my fondest memory of our wedding. I remember that Bradley held my face when he kissed me. It was so gentle and sweet. After we were presented, I remember realizing for the first time, just how many people were in the church. I saw all the people standing in the back and in the balcony. I don't remember much about the short trip to the reception. I remember just how good the cakes were...I've never tasted better. That was all I ate at the reception, the cake we fed each other and a Mt. Dew. We have no clue what our first dance was to, but we think it was a Keith Whitley song. I do remember dancing to "I Let Her Lie" at some point, which we thought was hilarious for a song at a wedding reception. My feet hurt worse than they've ever hurt in all my life. I told Bradley the truth, I've never worn those shoes again. They sit on the top shelf in our closet. We left in the smokey glow of sparklers and with a fire truck escort, complete with lights and sirens (Thank you, Stae!). We found Bradley's truck fully decorated at the apartment. I thought Bradley would be so ready to leave Luverne, but he thought he should wash one load of clothes before we left. I sat on the couch and ate rice while I waited.

I remember eating wedding cake for breakfast the next morning, and we left Montgomery for Atlanta. We slept for many hours that afternoon in Atlanta. We were absolutely exhausted. We flew out of Atlanta for beautiful Jamaica on Monday morning at the crack of dawn. Our honeymoon was so much fun and so pretty. I would love to go back one day.

I'm not a girl who's dreamed of her wedding all her life. But it was everything I wanted. We were so worried that things would be a big blur. They weren't. We made it a point to soak up every detail (which I just shared with you. I apologize. It's long. I know.) I hope our lives are like that. I hope we soak in every detail, and remember it forever. (Maybe, not the morning sickness, I could do without that memory. I still live that one every now and then.)

Marriage has been so much sweeter, funnier, and happier than I ever imagined it could be. God sent me His best for me in Bradley. I am so grateful. It's not always easy. It's hard for you to imagine, I know, but sometimes we're not nice to each other. Usually, that would be me. I will admit that I have tried to push his buttons (once or twice). He always forgives me. We say often, that for the most part, it is "easy". We don't always have to talk. We don't have to be entertained. We enjoy each other's company. And we still enjoy doing our own things. We are immeasurably blessed, and very thankful for the lives God has given us. Thank you, God for the past 2 years. Thank you, Bradley, for your patience with me, for the love you give me (even when I'm ill, as you tell me). I love you more now than I could have imagined when we stood before God and those people and committed our lives to each other only 2 short years ago. Happy Anniversary. I'd like to close with the chorus from the song that we used at the end of our wedding ceremony.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art.

4 comments:

  1. You have made a nice website,very well organized ,i let you a few links to mi websites,have a nice day,i will visit you again soon to see if you post something new,Raul Gonzales from Madrid
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  2. This is the best article. Your description of your wedding day was so beautifully said. I'm glad that it turned out so well, the wedding day and the two years. It was just so sweet. Congratulations on your expected bundle of joy. And I hope that everything with the pregnancy is smooth sailing from now until she arrives in November. (I'm not a stalker. I lie on the street behind your house.) You and Bradley met my husband, my daughter, our dog and my two grandchildren a few months ago when they were walking our dog Scout around the block.

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  3. I didn't spell live correctly. My keyboard is sticking where I have spilled drink on it.

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  4. Okay...that made me teary-eyed!!! I'm so happy for the both of you and the amazing journey you're about to begin as parents. Having children strengthens your love even more. Or, so I think. (Even though there are times you'll still fuss). :) Love you, Hope!!

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