Lindsay snuggled with me, so we said a very happy, and tearful good morning, and goodbye as she set off to get pretty downstairs with the other bridesmaids. I sat on the bed, said a morning prayer, and took a couple of deep breaths. Smaka was an angel and brought me Starbucks, and then the beautification process commenced. I felt like a celebrity. Make-up artist in front, hair stylist in back, my mom sitting staring at me, and everyone kept coming up and "oooo-ing and ahhhh-ing" ...made a girl feel good!
With my veil in place, and supplies in hand, we all headed to the Country Club.
When we pulled in, I had another rush of adrenaline and just said to myself "I'm getting married...this is really happening..." I must have been talking outloud because my dear friend Jess gabbed a hold of my hand and said "yes Court, you are!"
We made our way to the dressing room and it was time to slip into my dream dress. Cindy and Jess laced me up under my mom's supervision and with my navy blue shoes on we headed outside to get pictures taken. It was windy, but that didn't slow us down. My dimples hurt after awhile, but our photographers were amazing, and we're impatiently waiting to get some samples!!! The girls all looked stunning, but were so quiet...I think they were all just as nervous for me as I was for myself:)
After traisping around the golf course, the last picture was taken, and my heart beat started to speed up a bit...it was time. I looked at myself one last time in the mirror, spoke to the best man, Jason Mejeur, for a second and asked him how Jay was feeling..."He's just full..." he said, with a huge smile on his face. The photographer came around the corner to let me know that Jason was waiting for me.
As I headed towards the room where I'd be seeing him, the only thing I could think about was how precious this moment that was about to happen was. It was intense. I wasn't scared, I couldn't stop smiling, and I felt the most incredible calm come over me. The doors to the room were open just the slightest bit so that I could peek in and see Jason standing across the room. He was standing in front of a gorgeous fire place. The fire was lit, the room was silent, and he had his head down and was quietly praying. I watched him for a couple of seconds, and then he looked up and we locked eyes. I opened the double doors and as he requested, I began to walk towards him....
Our time together was perfect. I'll remember that moment for the rest of my life. We spoke from our hearts, and said a prayer for the remainder of the day, and composed ourselves for the next round of pictures with each other and our families at the church. When Jason and I arrived at the church, things seemed to be under control. Little did we know that the church had not had power and everyone was scrambling around trying to figure out what to do as a back up plan. We had no idea....which in retrospect is a great thing because I would probably have freaked out. (So thank you everyone, for keeping your cool!)
People started to arrive, and I was anxious. Dry mouth, knee bouncing, just ready to get the show on the road, and the second hand on the clock was going too slow. A couple of minutes til 4:00pm and my two Dad's escorted me to the back of the church. We watched the bridesmaids one by one begin to walk down the aisle...I told them both, how much I loved them and how much it meant for them to both be walking me. With a few tears, both told me they loved me too, and that they were both so happy for Jason and I. We linked arms, Canon in D began to play, and in what seemed like slow motion the entire congregation stood to watch me walk down the aisle to man that was to be my future.
The ceremony was everything that Jason and I prayed it would be from the people standing beside us, to the songs of worship sang by Amanda, and Kelsey, to the reading from Ephesians, and the amazing message from our pastor, Rod. It was very much about Jason and I, but more importantly it was about glorifying Christ. We are humbled and grateful to have recieved such positive feedback from family and friends, and are thankful that our ceremony could possibly be a light for someone who needed it.
I signed my new name on our marriage certificate, and we ran through a cloud of bubbles to the trolley where our friends and champage filled glasses were waiting! There were toasts, pictures, and football score updates galore as we made our way around downtown and headed back to the Country Club. With "Addicted to Love" playing in the background we were introduced and immediately did our first dance. "When You Got A Good Thing" by Lady Antebellum played and as fast as the day was going we tried to slow down, and just be in the moment. My dad said a few words, Jason's dad opened in prayer, Cindy took me on small trip down memory lane and also reminded me that I would not be the "cat lady, " and Mejeur reminded Jay to "don't stop believin" and dinner was served.
The slideshow Michael (Cindy's hubby) put together for us was incredible, and the cake was delicious (well, from the one bite I had!) The glass clinking never seemed to stop...it seemed as though everyone wanted show off their own personal style of kissing! I have to say, Tim and Kate won with the push-up kisses! The candy bar was a hit too...I hope the carmel popcorn changed all of your lives like it did ours! I can eat a whole bag:)
The father-daughter dances kicked things off and the dance floor did not get a break all night! The staples were there of course...Def Leppard, Usher, Grease Lightening, Thriller, and we were both scooped up and held hostage above the crowd for "Don't Stop Believin'" It was the best time we've ever had and there were blisters and drink stains to prove it! The hot dog cart was a success, even though I didn't get one! (Jason will never hear the end of this! :)
...
My husband and I decided it was time to head back to the Amway and made a mad dash to our car. We made it to our suite and were welcomed by chocolate covered strawberries, and chilled champagne. We popped the bottle open, had a drink, and just sat in silence for a couple of minutes. Reflecting on the day, and content with everything that had transpired.
Our wedding day, was more than I ever imagined. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. A man who loves me, and has a love for the Lord just as fierce. We'll grow in this life together through all of the mess, and joy and our experiences will be that much more memorable because we'll be sharing it with each other.
Jason, my husband, my best friend, and my love. You are everything God knew I needed, and I love you with my whole heart. I prayed for this day that now has passed, just as I prayed for you...and I am now complete having said these most precious of words, "I will."
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