I was never the type of girl that sat around dreaming and planning my wedding day. In fact, as I got older, I began to wonder if I’d ever get married because I didn’t think I’d ever meet Mr. Right. But then, when I wasn’t expecting it, I did. It makes me laugh now because I can remember, while I was in college, telling my Grandma Boots that I was tired of being single and I wanted so badly to meet a nice guy. I thought it would never happen and I was tired of waiting. She told me to be patient. She said that things happen when they are supposed to happen and that I would find that person someday. I’m not an incredibly patient person and I really did not want to hear that. But how right she was! Somehow, years later, I reconnected with a childhood best friend that I hadn’t seen in over ten years, and when she found out I was single, she set me up with her cousin, Pat. The rest, as they say, is history. I will always be grateful to Elizabeth for introducing us.
One year ago today I woke up anxious, happy, nervous, excited and full of anticipation. I had no idea how the day would go, but at the end I knew that I would be married to one of the kindest, sweetest, most patient men I have ever known. I felt so incredibility lucky. The morning and afternoon were so busy, and before I knew it I was standing in the church waiting for my dad to walk me down the aisle. I was so nervous and shaky, but I will always remember, as we stood there waiting, how my dad leaned over and whispered “You look beautiful” in my ear. As we started walking, I tried to take in everything - all of the smiling faces of our family and friends, the flowers, the candles, my mom’s happy face as I walked by, and Pat waiting for me at the end of the aisle. Later, as we said our vows, I couldn’t help the tears that came to my eyes. There we were, standing in a room full of all of the most important people in our lives, committing ourselves to each other until death do us part. I felt so happy and so grateful that God had given us this chance.
I can’t believe that it’s already been a year since that wonderful day. It’s been a year since we posed for pictures by the riverfront in Covington; a year since we danced together for the first time as husband and wife to “It Had to Be You”. It’s been a year since we toasted with champagne and fed each other pieces of wedding cake. As I look at the pictures from that day, I can feel my heart squeeze in my chest. I was so happy that day and I don’t ever want to forget a moment. So much has happened in a year and so much as changed. But one thing that hasn’t changed is how much I love my husband. I can’t wait for the next adventure in our lives, but I will always remember how the journey began.
