The Mermaid & The Sailor Wedding

We are officially married! Stephen and I had our wedding this past weekend and it was so incredibly magical. I am still floating on air, and barely find the words for how deliriously happy I am to finally be able to call him my husband. We had originally planned for a Spring wedding sometime next year but realized that with a PCS move coming up, we have no idea where we will be by then. So calls were made, plans were set in motion and friends and family rallied to help make this day possible. Truth be told, I lucked out in so many ways with bringing this day to life: my dress and bridesmaid dresses fit perfectly and needed no alterations, the venue of my dreams was open the day we wanted, and so many people were able to make it even if it was short notice. 

                

The day started early and everyone was buzzing with excitement but I was calm like a hindu cow as Palahniuk would said. However, as the afternoon waned and sun began it's slow descent in the sky, it hit me. I was about to marry the man of my dreams. Sitting in a cotton robe, I applied another layer of lipstick. I give Nikki Carta, the hairdresser, props for her work...my thick long hair is no easy task for an undo! 

Then the girls helped me get into my dress and Rosie was brought in for a quick hug. I held her tight, her hazel eyes wide like saucers. 

"Mama and Papa are getting married today, Rosie. Isn't that cool?" I asked her and she giggled, gave me a slobbery kiss and was taken away to get ready. 

The cottage suite was a flutter of false lashes, flying underwear and strappy shoes before everyone else left to take their place. And then suddenly it was silence. I peeked outside and saw my handsome man standing in the gazebo, our loved ones sitting in eager anticipation. The music started and after some coaxing (okay, a pretzel) Rosie walked down the path with Stephen's mom followed by his dad and Jeremiah. They were so adorable, it made my heart swell with pride!

When it came time for me to walk, my stepdad Papa Joe was by my side. He had driven all the way from Michigan, his second time ever leaving the state, just for this special moment. I felt so blessed to have him there, whispering your mom would be so proud. As tribute to her we played Let it Be by the Beatles and a single rose was laid in an empty chair. I know she was with us in spirit that day but I will be honest, it still panged me that she couldn't be sitting there nonetheless. 

 I forewent the traditional processional music and walked  down the aisle to the instrumental version of Bless the Broken Road by the Rascal Flatts. At the end of the aisle, Stephen waited and we exchanged our handwritten vows. He had been so anxious about them but he did so well! I wrote mine on the back of envelope, scratching out the part about our mutual love for b-rated movies and ron perlman. Instead, I shared a few verses from one of my favorite poems by Walt Whitman.

___________________________

"Afoot and lighthearted, take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before you,

The long brown path before you,

leading wherever you choose.

Say only to one another:

Camerado, I give you my hand!

I give you my love, more precious than money,

I give you myself before preaching or law:

Will you give me yourself?

Will you come travel with me?

Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?"

___________________________

I recommend checking out the poem in its entirety, truly a beautiful piece of writing and it sums up life as a military couple quite well. We don't know where fate will take us, whether it be to a new state or maybe even a new country. 

He was adorable, earnest and I couldn't take my eyes off him for a second. Stephen truly is my sun and stars. That day, before friends, family and God we became husband and wife.

The song played for our first dance was "Living of Love" by the Avett Brothers. We knew pretty much from the beginning that this was going to be it. The melody, the lyrics...this song is an ode to lasting love.

A sparkler send off followed by fireworks! Heck yes! It was truly the greatest night of my life. I can't wait to see the rest of the photos our amazing photographer Ginger took, she captured the joy of our special day so well.  I wanted everything to feel timeless and it all came together so well. 

However cheesy it might sound I feel our adventure is only just beginning. & Lucky me, I couldn't think of a better person to travel down life's uncertain road with.