An Amazing Day in October

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I decided that since our blog has been full of the gloom and doom of our life that it needed some perking up. So, with that in mind I would like to talk about the best day of my life hands down, my WEDDING day. (This is the part where women will perk up and read fervently and men will roll their eyes and think blah blah blah).

Ok, so we decided to get married on October 26th for a couple of reasons, well maybe more but three come to mind. 1.) We wanted to get married ASAP, 2.) It was also the same day that my parents were married and we thought that would be a nice tribute, 3.) With my father’s health declining we wanted him to be there to share not only his 44th anniversary with my mother but our big day.

So, we did all the planning in 6 months with little issue, and I need to give big kudos to my Sweetie for doing a lot of it!! He wasn’t your typical guy who said, “Whatever you want dear”, he was involved from start to finish. The only thing he didn’t have his hand in was the choosing of my dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Although, when I came home from ordering my dress he wished he had some say in that as I went a teeny tiny bit over budget. :o)

Anyway, to the day itself. Mine started off with a big breakfast with my ladies and then on to get my hair and make up done. Thank you Weezie for being my chauffer!! We arrived at the church and Angela laced me up like a pro.

I had a few moments for reflection before and after some pre ceremony picture taking and realized that not only was I not nervous, but for ONCE I was making absolutely the best decision of my life. I was completely at peace with everything and felt a smile come down from above as if to say, “Good job child”. When my father saw me, he gave me a big hug and kiss and didn’t offer to let me run for my life like he did the first time around!!!

We walked down the aisle and it was like a fairy tale from that moment on. After a beautiful service we took some more pictures and then off to the PARTY!!! I am not sure if anyone else had fun, but we sure did. I heard that the appetizers were good (wouldn’t know as we basically missed that hour taking pictures). Then our introductions, and food a plenty, oh and I can't forget the open bar!!!

For those of you who were wondering the palate cleanser was called champagne rose petal. Yes, actual dried rose petals were crushed into the champagne sorbet. You either loved it or hated!!

Next to come where the toasts. Blaze gave a very touching toast that attributed to the close friendship that he and Tony have. Angela (aka DW) gave a wonderful speech as well. To finish it off my friend Maria gave a sweet speech highlighting some of our finest moments together.

The next two crowning moments for me were my first dance with my new husband and the father-daughter dance. Tony and I are not so much like Fred & Ginger :o), but we made it through without falling or completely making fools of ourselves. My Dad did his best to guide me gracefully around the floor, but with my 2 left feet that made it somewhat difficult.

Then my father came up and gave a wonderful speech on his knee about my mother and him their love for each other, and the 44 years they have spent together. It was touching and not many dry eyes were left and just when you thought it was over they danced to their song.

One thing I remember as a child was watching my parents glide on the dance floor together. Even with advanced cancer and many years past them, they still looked like Fred & Ginger to me.

We are very thankful to all that showed up to celebrate a day that we will never forget for the rest of our lives.

Just Married!

Finally, right?

It was an amazing weekend in Chicago, and from the feedback I’ve received, everyone had a wonderful time.

Personally, it didn’t start out wonderfully, but a bad starter in an airplane, caused an extra, unexpected delay to my Bloomington connecting flight. That made it possible to make the trip in one day as my first flight was delayed many times over due to earlier weather issues.

Luckily enough, I was traveling well ahead of the wedding & to the best of my knowledge; no one else had any travel issues.

Another great story from the weekend is the 12:30 AM wedding day fire alarm. I have vague memories of it, but hey, it was my last night, err, early morning of freedom! The wedding party & family did a great job stepping in to ensure that bride and groom did not meet. My understanding is that Robin was less than thrilled about the interruption to her beauty sleep, but by the ceremony, you’d have never guessed she missed a wink!

On the more serious side, the weather was perfect, six months of planning fell perfectly into place, & all went well.

Thank you to everyone who was able to spend part of their weekend with us, it meant the world to us both.

We finished our weekend at the Lazy Cloud Bed & Breakfast. I’ll have more wonderful things to say about them in a future post, but just know that we completely expect to spend another fall or spring weekend there and completely recommend it as a great get-a-way location. (Tell them we said so if you go – I’m all for some marketing kick-back!!)

We do not feel that the World Wide Web is the appropriate location for our wedding photo album, but have no fear, pictures are still accessible to any of you who want to check them out. Please let me know via email or a comment to this post if you would like to be on the picture distribution list. (Many of you have, and if so, no need to do so twice, the list has already started.)

Also, if you have pictures to share, please send them my way. Along with doing so, let me know if you are just sharing with me or want me to pass them along to the distribution list mentioned above.



Finally, a thank you to Phil, Weezie, & Tom Pitts for making the wedding night all the more memorable! :o)

Looking Ahead, Not Back....

Tonight I’m printing programs. Sometime this week I need to solve the mystery of printing vertical business cards to fill the place card holders. Together and via email we’re making a Santa-like RSVP list.

Sound like the tasks of the last 11 days before the wedding?! Who knew there was so much work!

(No joke, as I type, my iTunes on shuffle mode queues up “Eye of the Tiger.” What’s a guy to do?!)

All of this to say that Robin and I are focusing on the wonderful day in our near future. We both look forward to seeing friends and family, bringing everyone together, and most of all, publicly declaring our love for each other.

Keep an eye out here, because this will be your spot for photos. Robin & I will have our camera through the weekend, there will be disposables on every table, & a photographer too! Guess I need to clear some time in my schedule for sitting here posting things…

(iTunes has a real sense of humor tonight, now playing, Dr. Hook, “I’ve got a couple more years on you baby.” Sorry babe, but I’m thinking my old Gateway was sending that one out to you!)

More than likely, this is the last pre-wedding post. The next one will either be a celebration or a statement that she came to her senses. Keep your fingers crossed for me that she doesn’t.

(Final song for the posting time, Brooks & Dunn “More than a Margarita.” Not sure of the significance, but I had to keep the play by play going, I mean seriously, I couldn’t have made up the last two – or timed them better – if I tried.)