Wedding Memories

5 years ago, I woke up early and ready for all the day had in store.  My hair and make-up took quite a while to complete, but my bridesmaids, family and photographers made the time go quickly.  I slipped into my dress and my mom began fastening all the buttons.  Her nails made the job difficult and Rob, our photographer, had to step in to complete the process.  A few pictures were snapped and then it was go time.  As we filed onto the limo bus, I was greeted with roses and a diamond bracelet from my soon-to-be husband.  We arrived at the church just as it began to drizzle.  I spent the next few minutes in the limo while everyone else prepared to go down the aisle.  This was the only time I remember feeling anxious.  Just as it was time to begin the most anticipated walk of my life, the clouds broke and the sun's rays reached the church doors.  After 7 years together, it was finally time to get married. Here are some of the highlights:

*We had a traditional Catholic ceremony, made unique by the priest's broken English and the less than stellar vocals of the church organist. 
*Mate's enthusiastic "I Do"
*Taking pictures at various Cleveland locations
*Happily greeting 700 guests during what felt like the world's longest receiving line
*Crazy in Love by Beyonce and Jay-Z playing during our grand entrance
*Our best man and maid of honor giving lovely speeches, followed by Mate toasting me and thanking our parents for such a beautiful wedding.
*Our first dance to I'll Always Be Right There by Bryan Adams
*The cutting of our chocolate chip wedding cake without any smashing involved
*The band and DJ switching back and forth throughout the night while we danced, danced, danced
*The total underestimation of my strength and tossing my bouquet over the heads of all the single ladies

People warned us that the day would go quickly and we'd have a hard time remembering all of the details, but that didn't prove true for us.  I'm thankful the day didn't pass by in a blur and so many of the moments are tucked away in my memory.   We've done so much in our first five years of marriage and I'm looking forward to reminiscing at dinner this evening.