Well, it's over. I can't believe it! And I have one word to describe the event...AWESOME!!!!!!
We woke to a miserable rain/sleet/snow storm but not even the weather could dampen everyone's spirits. We left Jayson and Jordan Lee in charge of the littles while Jay and I drove Cecy and Andy down to the temple. The roads were bad and we passed several slide offs, but we made it safe and sound. Walking into the bride's room with my daughter was surreal and I kept thinking it had to be a dream. I'd imagined that day so many times in my mind and to actually be experiencing it was unbelievable. Cecy was so beautiful and she absolutely glowed. She was simply stunning and it was all I could do not to bawl my eyes out.
The ceremony was incredible and the words spoken were a priceless reminder of what marriage is all about. I couldn't help but think back to my own wedding day and watching my daughter make those same covenants was humbling.
When we came out of the temple to take pictures, it was almost a total white out! We tried taking one group photo on the temple steps but I'm not sure the photographer could even see our faces! Of course, by then everyone looked like a water-logged rat. A few more pictures were taken by the atrium but we finally gave up. I think the plan is for Cec and her man to head back down to the temple on a better day and have some post wedding pictures taken.
We drove back up to Brigham and on the way passed several more accidents. In fact, one accident had the freeway to a stand still but luckily it was on the south bound lanes and not the north bound lanes. We made it to the luncheon just in time and had a delicious, relaxing lunch. Andy's aunt had put together a darling photo montage and it was fun to watch the newlyweds progress from infants to adults.
When the luncheon was over, we booked it over to the church where the reception was being held and the fun began! We had set most of it up the day before, so it was just a matter of finishing touches but my stress level shot through the roof as I ran hither and yon trying to make sure everything was just perfect. Cecy finally grabbed my arms and told me to stop and just breathe. The room looked so beautiful and springy, despite the weather outside. The cake was gorgeous, the refreshments aplenty and the bubbling fountain set the ambiance. People started arriving early and the line didn't let up until well after the bewitching hour of eight o'clock. Andy said at the stroke of eight he was headed out the door, regardless of the fact that the newspaper announcement said the reception wasn't ending until nine! That's a groom for ya! It was so wonderful to see all the people who came to support Cecy and Andy and to reconnect with friends and family. By the end of the evening my feet ached like an old man in women's shoes, my smile muscles were frozen in place and I was more exhausted than I ever could've imagined. We madly cleaned things up and made numerous hauls of gifts to the newlywed's apartment and tried desperately to hand off the remaining refreshments. We had filled and decorated over 700 cupcakes and hand dipped a bazillion strawberries in chocolate, and we had a ton left over. We had anticipated many more to be consumed and after pawning as much off as we could, we came home with four boxes of cupcakes, four huge cans of nuts and mints and two full trays of strawberries. Not even a week later, the cupcakes have all been eaten, the strawberries only lasted two days and we've been snacking on nuts and mints non-stop. One good thing about having a large family is left overs of any kind don't last too long!
All in all, it was a wonderful day celebrating the love of two wonderful people. I know in my heart that Andy will treasure Cecy and take care of her better than I could. He adores her and she him. It's bliss to see your child so happy and content, and know their lives will be eternally blessed.
