Our Wedding | His

It was pretty busy. I was glad to go to bed.

...

But seriously, my memory of the day is oddly incongruent, like a patchwork quilt of lovely memories sewn together with stress and what I’m sure is pure imagination.

I don’t recall how the morning started, but I’m pretty sure it involved putting clean bandages on my bike wreck wounds. Oh, did I forget to mention I had a bike accident the week before the wedding? I thought she might kill me, had she not loved me so much. In retrospect, it just added flavor and color to the whole affair.

I sort of assumed my responsibilities for the day would mostly involve giving directions, keeping the men-folk entertained while the ladies got ready, and being prepared at any moment for any possible thing that may happen. No pressure.

We moved the TV into the second bedroom and I hooked up my retro gaming system. I figured we could fill the day with Mario Brothers and NBA Jam if we needed. I thought of our friends wedding. I remember so vividly several of his groomsmen playing Wii as we burned time - but not him. He sat, pensively prepared for whatever was to come. He was steeled. Suddenly I understand. I might’ve played 10 minutes of video games over the course of the day. The rest of the time I was rushing here and there, greeting friends & family, giving directions, moving things, getting lunch. Waiting. It wasn’t pensive, as I thought. It was full alert, ready to jump at the drop of a hat - but ready. Ready for this.

I was shocked how quickly the day passed. It was time to get really dressed before I knew what happened. I’m so thankful for our photos and Veronica’s remarkable ability to capture pure emotion. Were it not for that, I’d have very little memory of that day before the ceremony at all. I would’ve lost the beautiful, smiling faces of my friends and family as they arrived. Here just because they love us and to celebrate everything that was to come in our lives together.

Just as with a big storm, there was an unbelievable calm right in the middle of the torrent. We had our “first look”. Fully dressed and made up, we made our way to a beautiful overlook beside our first downtown apartment. I don’t remember what I said. I just remember being ready, calm, and in-tune with each other. “Grateful” isn’t a big enough word for what I felt.

It’s funny the things you worry about. One of my biggest concerns for the ceremony was rain. The whole shebang was outside and, while we had a backup plan, it was less than perfect. I didn’t think she’d be happy getting married in a flea market barn. I wanted this to be as perfect as possible for her.

Almost like clockwork, the rain stopped as the bells at Bicentennial Park chimed the top of the hour. Our loved ones were seated, the music started, and we were off. I’m not usually one to make a big scene or to want to be the center of attention. But this didn’t feel like that. I disappeared into the words and actions. I disappeared into the thought of what this meant for us. The memories we were creating, and the potential for what life was going to bring.

After the ceremony we made our way to Hermitage Cafe. We shot a few more photos, had some cake, shot a few more photos, signed some official documents, shot a few more photos, etc.

I’m incredibly grateful to all of our friends and family who were there for us and with us. Without them, the day would have lacked so much of the beautiful magic it had. My younger self never would have believed this.