One large moving truck, a Uhaul, countless trips loading into our vehicles + two weeks. It has taken two weeks to move into our new home.
We are in and it's SO beautiful!! Actively looking since last August, it took us 10 months to find it and our conversations now are, "Just think of all the houses we almost bought!" This one is absolutely perfect! It checks all our boxes of wants and desires with a stunning view from our back yard.
Where did July go? Between the wedding, buying our new home, selling mine, and moving, it's been a blur of activity.
The big stuff is done, a few new purchases to complement this home bought, and we are settling in very comfortably.
I just turned 52. What a great age, what a blessed stage in my life. Family came over, many seeing our new home for the first time as we celebrated my birthday.
Brooke's gender reveal is next, she looks so cute with her baby bump! I think it's a girl, David thinks it's a boy. We are thrilled to know what this little one is!
We woke up on a beautiful summer morning, but this day was very different, "Good morning, it's our WEDDING DAY!!!!"
Our wedding day was exhilarating from the moment we woke up! Beautifully balanced, well-planned, it was exactly what I wanted, yet filled with unknown magical moments. David was upstairs getting ready, when I filled the air with Wedding Day by the Bee Gee's. A song I have listened to for decades and patiently waited. I was in the kitchen listening to this song I so longed for when David came downstairs, pulled me in his arms, held me tightly and danced with me. I cried and he continued to hug me tighter and tighter.
David is more than I ever imagined or dreamed of.
I wanted to set every detail at the venue, my vision becoming reality and it was perfect! Running home for a couple of hours to myself, because quiet brings me balance, I was so ready.
Surrounded by our family, our daughters, our grandchildren, and closest friends, I walked down the aisle with my dad, a moment I've always dreamed of. Wanting time to slow down, I looked from side to side at our guests, then my eyes on my husband, the one I promised forever to.
My daughters on my side, his daughters on his, our grandbabies walking down the aisle. Nathan sat my mom, my dad at my side, my brother officiating. I was radiant and smiled the entire time. You know the glow of happiness bursting out of you kind!
We said our vows to one another and in front of God. I especially loved each moment of the vows, slipping his ring on his finger, kissing "my husband" for the first time and being pronounced husband and wife.
Music filling the air, everyone happy in celebration, how blessed we are all our children are thrilled over our marriage. We know it could have been all together different, yet it's perfect.
Our dinner was exquisite and guests are still talking about it. We did a plated dinner, Mushroom Lavender Filet with Asiago Chicken, Rosemary Garlic Roasted Red-skinned Potatoes, Sweet Corn, and the salad was custom created in 4th of July themed with a Spring Mix with fresh Strawberries and Blueberries and Raspberry Vinaigrette. On the side was fresh cut Watermelon cut into stars and hearts (a surprise touch by the back of house team). Each plated graced with an edible flower.
SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
Our Signature Cocktails theme was inspired by our engagement vacation. Mine, the Mango Tango (I fell in love with this on the white sands of Siesta Key Beach). His, Smoky Mountain Moonshine in Mountain Java and Butter Pecan.
Our wedding cake... the top layer we cut, kept, and have been enjoying all week was Chocolate Chocolate Chip with two layers of double Toffee filling. Absolutely delicious!! The bottom layer was White Cake with Chocolate Ganache, also magnificent. Cupcakes at each guest plate one done in Amnesia Roses, White Tulips, and in scrolling matching our wedding cake.
White tulips, my signature flower, everywhere... my bouquet was Amnesia Roses with White Tulips.
At Last by Etta James filled the air and the DJ asked for the bride and groom to come to the dance floor and I danced with my husband for the first time. Twirling on the dance floor, he pulled me in his arms, I love the feel of his body against mine. A video sent to me shows my Sofia & Addy on the side of the dance floor swaying watching us dance. Could there be anything sweeter?
The day, our wedding, all of it was sensory magnificence! The DJ asked our guests to join us on the stone bridge for a group photo and while everyone was smiling for the photographer, commercial-grade fireworks bursts into the air behind us. That was the moment we wanted captured and guest whirled around in surprise and fireworks continued to shoot off behind the water on the other side of the stone bridge.
There were so many moments that was so special. My first look photo with my dad. My dad praying with me moments before walking down the aisle, and walking down the aisle with my dad. I've witnessed this so many times in the weddings that I conduct and I wanted it for me... and it happened.
Our wedding day was more perfect than I ever imagined.
We were off to the hotel for our honeymoon... and what nobody knows, would ever imagine, or even believe, we waited. I don't know how we did it, but we did. I honestly believe there are many, many blessings that have come because of it.
I married my best friend, the absolute love of my life, hand-picked and chosen by God.
