My Baby's Wedding Day

I have to admit that I'm not even sure what to write or include in this post. I was so overwhelmed and exhausted by this point that it all seems like such a blur, which is kind of sad. I'll just do my best and hopefully it'll make some sense.

Zoe ended up sleeping here the night before the wedding. She slept in the basement with my sister and nephew and they spent a lot of the night awake. I guess they all fell asleep but around 3am they were all wide awake; Zoe with anticipation, Jaron and LaTisha because they are used to working the night shift and being awake at night is their normal.

I got up the morning of the wedding and went on a run. I ran my 4 miles and when I got back the three of them were out walking the neighborhood. I didn't have the three kids go to school because I didn't want the added hassle of worrying about picking them up early and whatnot. Besides, missing a day of school isn't too huge a deal for my kids who are rarely absent.

I told Zoe's bridesmaids that they were welcome to show up to the house any time after 11 am, and we had lunch meat, cheese, bread and chips available for people to munch on for lunch. At noon, the hair and make-up ladies showed up and set straight to work. Shannon, one of the bridesmaids brought stuff to make mimosa's so there was lots of that being passed around as well.

The hair and make-up thing lasted until about 2:30 and then everyone rushed out the door to get to the venue for pictures. Tony, the two little kids and I didn't have to be at the venue as early as the bridal party so we didn't leave until about an hour later and made it there right around 4pm. I, as usual, took some pictures, but I was feeling pretty stressed about everything and wasn't really concentrating so I don't have anything spectacular to share. But, I'll share what I got:

I could hardly believe this was my 16 year old son! He looked so damned handsome!

Selfie in the car on the way over.

The welcome sign Zoe and I made.

A little table honoring Brandon's late mother, Jill. 

The Instax photo guestbook.

My sexy ass husband. 

Harper, bored and ready to head home after only 5 minutes of waiting...

Dakota and her newest BFF, Peyton. 

Dakota doing her best to stay out of trouble. (It didn't last.)

Landon. Not a little kid anymore for sure. 

Landon taking my picture while we waited around for things to happen.

They loved this little door!

Selfie with my sister and brother.

Kiersten and Isaac.

Kiersten and Jeff. 

Mema and Isaac.

Unbelievably, that was the last picture I took for the entire night. I put my phone and purse away and didn't get them back until we were leaving that evening. I didn't want the hassle of keeping track of my phone and I didn't want to not be present for such an important night. I kind of regret not having my phone to take more photo's, but lots of other people took pictures and I'm hoping that as time goes on, I'll see more of those. 

Things to remember from the ceremony:

• Landon telling me to keep it together as we walked down the aisle together. 
• Watching Landon walk a bridesmaid (Moriah) down the aisle and realizing that that first born son of mine is nearing adulthood at a rapid pace. 
• Seeing Tony and Zoe round the corner for the first time, her in her dress, hanging on her dad's arm...not a baby any longer. An adult woman choosing to get married. I started bawling. Ugly crying and not being able to stop it no matter what. Turning my head and realizing that Moriah was also bawling and my mom handing me tissues which I then shared with Moriah. 
• Glancing around to see other people crying and feeling less foolish. Wondering if I had make-up or snot running down my face.
• Seeing Landon doing his best not to break down in tears. 
• The small quiver in both Zoe and Brandon's voices as they said their I Do's. 
• How well behaved my two little one's were during the short wedding service. 
• How great Harper did walking with the rings down the aisle. I could hardly look at him without my heart leaping out of my chest. He is growing up so fast. He was so proud to be apart of his sisters big day and he beamed. He listened intently until it was time for him to give the rings to Viktor and Shelby and then did exactly as he'd been instructed.
• How sweet Dakota and Peyton looked walking down the aisle with their little "Here Comes the Bride" sign. Dakota was SOOO excited to wear her new dress and shoes and she loved being included in such a big day. I wasn't sure if she'd freak out with all the people looking at her, but she was brave and beautiful and simply adorable. 
• Brandon's aunt was the officiant and I thought she had a beautiful, almost melodic speaking voice. She was calm and collected; everything I was not. 
• Walking down the aisle once it was over and realizing I was way ahead of everyone, in my own little world I guess! I remember meeting eyes with Kiersten and she gave me the sweetest (encouraging) smile. 
• How lucky we were with the weather. It was low 70's, cloudless and beautiful. The evening weather couldn't have been more perfect.

Things to remember from the reception:

• Standing in line waiting to be introduced while everyone was frantically looking for Brandon and Shelby. (They were found smoking cigars outside! Haha!)
• Listening to Tony give the welcoming speech. He didn't write anything yet somehow it came out perfectly. I nearly cried again when he talked about the bond he felt when he would read her books as a little girl; I remember watching that relationship grow and count my lucky stars she had such a great man as her dad. 
• I chose not to speak at the reception because I knew I wouldn't be able to get through it without sobbing. I'm a baby.
• Listening to Viktor give his speech and remembering so much of what he talked about. It was like a little trip down memory lane and it was beautiful.
• Listening to Shelby's speech and feeling that it was so heartfelt and meaningful. I loved that she told Brandon that she knew his mother would be so proud of him. I know that to be true too because I am so proud of him. I love that kid like one of my own.
• Playing around with the photo booth. Having to force Harper and Lea to let other people use the booth without either of them being in the photo. 
• Watching people dance and dancing. There were some real stars out there dancing that night! Jeff was on fire! He just goes for it and it is both amazing and hilarious all at the same time. Andy, Viktor's boyfriend was also lighting it up out there! At one point he and I were dancing together! He's so fun! I think Robin and Ally danced from the very first song to the last, they were fun to watch and having an absolute blast!
• Hearing Wonderful Tonight come on and turning to see Tony looking for me. He'd requested our wedding song and it gave me goosebumps. I loved dancing to that with him. 
• Doing my best to keep up (learn or relearn) dances. Seeing so many people dancing and having a great time! 
• Playing around with the maraca's, tambourines and glow sticks that the DJ put out. 
• Dakota stepping on and ripping an enormous hole in the middle of her dress and not really caring since the ceremony and pictures were over with.
• Just enjoying being around so many people who love Zoe and Brandon made me feel incredibly happy. I didn't know quite a few people there but I relished in the fact that we were all there because we loved the same two people. 

It was a beautiful day, November 3, 2017. I got to watch my baby, my first born marry a wonderful, loving man and for that, I am thankful. I wish them nothing but many happy years together.