Highlights of the Wedding

I am home now and busy catching up on the everyday like laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning the bathroom, and all things as glorious. I spent two weeks in la living out of my luggage and in other people's homes. Although it wasn't the most ideal situation (I mean, sleeping on a mattress in my parent's dining room wasn't the most comfortable) I cherished every moment. It's not everyday your sister gets married.

Now that I had a moment to my thoughts, here are my highlights from the wedding:

1. The rehearsal at the church - It's like all of a sudden it's here. Aimee and I were running around like chickens with our heads cut off until we got to the church. We simply ran out of time. But once we got to the church everything just faded away and we were present and calm.

2. Aimee and I slept over at the Sheraton in the honeymoon suite the night before. After the rehearsal dinner Aimee's bridesmaids came over and hung out. It was nice, calm. Aimee wrote her vows and I wrote my speech. We toasted. And eventually the girls left to get their beauty sleep and the two of us fell asleep in the comfy bed.

3. The chance to run around before the wedding and see all the decorations, check out how Blane and the guys were doing, say high to all the hard workers, and steal some food from the kitchen. I felt like I had a backstage pass to the party. At my own wedding I was stuck upstairs while everyone was chatting and setting up. It was nice to roam free and take it all in.

4.Walking up to see how the guys were doing pre-wedding to find them in a bit of a chaotic mess. The best though was Blake trying to tie Blane's bowtie by following a youtube tutorial on his iphone. Oh man.

5. Aimee in her dress. So so stunning. Stunning. I picture her now in my head and I still can't believe how stunning she looked. I will never forget it.

6. The moment right before we walked out. I was so nervous. More nervous than at my own. My stomach was in knots. Aimee was calm, ready. From the room below we heard a roar from the chapel and wondered what funny thing our mom had done.

7. Forgetting to step up at the front and getting a frantic look from Blake telling me I had missed my Q. Oh well. =) I was distracted by her veil falling out.

8. Blane at the ceremony. He was so great. Funny and heartfelt, honest and vulnerable. In my opinion he made the ceremony memorable.

9.Aimee when she whispered (into the mic), "Look at me" at the beginning of her vows. So hilarious and so them.

10. My auntie's and uncle singing "Oh How He Loves" acapella. Phew! Couldn't stop the tears from welling up.

11. The kiss, oh that kiss! He promised that we wouldn't be disappointed and we sure weren't. Such a showman. =)

12. Blake (best man) - he was great. He once picked up Aimee's dress when we were walking and turned and told me I was being demoted for not being on it. =) And during the pictures afterwards he ran practically half a mile in the sand in all his tux gear to help keep them on schedule. That guy was legit. He obviously loves Blane and on that day did everything for him. I have a feeling he would do the same for Blane any day of the week.

13. Derek crying during his speech.

14. The french fries Aimee made sure came on Blane's plate at dinner and the surprise Coffee Bean mochas later. She's so good at the special touches.

15. Patrick's "mazel tov!"

16. Taking to Brian, Blane's old boss, after sharing the waxing story during my speech. I really like that guy.

17. Family. So many people flew in for this wedding. It was so nice to see great aunt's, distant cousins, cousins, and all those people you should see but never do. I wish we had more time to catch up with them but I'll take what I got.

18. Kiki's slideshow and that picture of Blane in his speedos. Someone please post that on Facebook.

19. Aimee was oddly not stressed out. She enjoyed the day, praise the Lord! She made it more lighthearted and enjoyable for others I think.

20. Dancing!

21. Sending them off at the end of the night. I can't believe she's married.

They are off to New Zealand on their honeymoon. I am hopeful their bond will grow from this experience and they will fall more deeply in love with one another - just as Josh and I did. Praise the Lord for bringing two of his people together. Like I said in my speech, with her generosity and his passion, I'm looking forward to what they will do for the glory of the Lord.