Here's a rundown of my weekend in the south:
I got picked up at the airport by one of Brooke's brothers, a cool kid a year or two younger than us. That was around 10:30 am. We had to battle w/ some epic weather and bad traffic but we finally made it to their house. And then it was time to get ready. Brooke's sisters and a friend from school were there getting their hair did and make-up put on all fancy like. Having woken up at 5:45 and just hanging out in airports all morning, I chilled for a bit and then finally put my dress on. Though I technically was a bridesmaid, I didn't have the same dress due to some circumstances we couldn't really control. This made me a little apprehensive at first. I just felt out of place. This feeling soon subsided.
Over to the Nashville temple we went, waiting for Brooke and James to exit. It stopped raining just long enough for me to find Kelsey in the parking lot and for us to freak out over being together. That was when the awkwardness subsided, when I saw Kelsey. There was quite some time before the happy couple came out so Kelsey did my hair and make-up on account of how I had been hanging out in the aforementioned airports.
And then finally they came out! At the point it had started raining pretty hard again so the entire wedding party and families and friends were tucked under the overhang right outside the main doors. I had yet to see Brooke's dress but it was just incredible. It was the epitome of her. Seeing her so happy is indescribable. Another thing that's indescribable was her face when she saw me in the back of the crowd. I was at the back, just watching everyone, especially Brooke and James' faces, taking pictures, peeking through shoulders. Then some people shifted and Brooke and I made eye contact. It was just . . . Wow. Her smile was incredible. She waved and mouthed "Hi Anna!" I could tell me being there really did make a difference on her wedding day. That was the second moment when I didn't care what I was wearing or that it was different. I was there for Brooke and that's all the mattered.
After taking bunches of pictures, Kelsey and I went back to Brooke's house to help Kelsey's sister prepare all the food for the reception. That was more fun than I expected it to be, and I expected lots of fun. Kelsey and I talked about everything under the sun, reveling in the time we had that weekend. A bunch of the families went out for lunch but Kelsey and I stayed behind and it was totally worth it. Brooke and James came back to change and that was the first time all day I really got to see Brooke and talk for just a few seconds. But we did get in some epic hugs, the kind of hugs that heal your soul. I'm not even exaggerating.
Fast forwarding a few hours after cooking, to the reception we went. It was decorated beautifully, a destination wedding without the destination is what they called it. Very nicely beach themed. It was not even close to tacky as one might expect of "beach themed." (Pictures soon to come. It's hard to describe.) The cake wasn't so much a cake as it was just cupcakes! Lots and lots of cupcakes! Deliciousness. So rich and delightful.
Perhaps my favorite part of the night was the slideshow that was played. It showed Brooke and James from babyhood to marriage. Obviously I loved it the most when the college pictures started, many of which I was in. At the very moment those pictures started playing, the song "You and I" by Ingrid Michaelson came on. Intentional or not, I have no idea, but it was perfect. Kelsey and I freaked out together. That song was very much a part of the end of freshman year. Hearing it in the context of a wedding was just incredible.
Here's a little note I wrote on my iPod Touch Saturday night, some reactions from right after everything happened: The wedding is over and wow. Brooke looked absolutely amazing. It was easy to tell how happy she was. The moment she saw me her face lit up. I was standing kind of in the back, looking between those in front of me. When Brooke and I saw each other, I got a little teary. I know that moment was just for us. And no one else had one just like it which makes it even better. It was just Brooke and me that mattered. At first I was a little out of place being around only her family but seeing Brooke made everything worth it. I'm so glad I came. It's just an added bonus that I get to be around Kelsey as well. I love being around both of them.
And so yeah, today was spent at church w/ Kelsey's family, with whom I stayed the night, and watching Cake Boss, and eating food. It was all about relaxing after Saturday was GO GO GO. Kelsey took me to the airport and that was all she wrote. I'll be seeing Brooke, Kelsey, and James in just a few weeks though when I head back to Utah for school.
So much happened in the last two days. I felt like I was in Tennessee for much longer than I actually was. I think that's when you know it was a great time. The happily married couple is now honeymooning in Aruba. What a party, I know.
That was my weekend. Lots of other feelings happened too but those aren't exactly blog appropriate, meaning I'd rather keep them to myself and a few select people. Know that it was totally and completely epic and that marriage is awesome.
Last YouTube video I watched: Spitting on people isn't nice
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