How Sweet It Is

Exactly two weeks ago I was in pre-wedding prep. Sitting with my mom and my bridesmaids, sipping coffee and listening to the girly playlist (courtesy of Tylie---thank you so much!!), getting our hair and make up done. It is all a blur now. It is all over.


Except its not.


Planning a wedding was exciting and fun, stressful and overwhelming. Every detail was covered(thanks to my amazing mother), there was nothing left to chance. 
Then Brian got sick. Three days before the wedding my poor fiance came down with the stomach flu...in a bad way. We were unsure if he would even make it to the wedding and my heart just broke. I didn't care about the floral arrangements or the wine pour. I couldn't bring myself to care about the last minute details, and the more people that arrived in town, the more worried I became about my fiance, his health, and his ability to be there on July 2.
It was a perspective-check. What was truly important, and what was just fluff? I realized that all that really mattered were the people, the relationships. Brian, my parents and his, our families and friends. Those were, and are, what matters. The wedding, the beautiful details, were secondary to the people that were there.


Thankfully, he recovered in time to not only make it to the wedding, but to enjoy it!


And things got back on track. The preparations continued, the families all arrived and it was time to celebrate!


I remember gripping my Dad's arm as I walked down the aisle, seeing Brian (my incredibly handsome groom) for the very first time. Vowing my life and my love to my best friend. Hearing myself declared as his wife for the very first time. Our first dance to "Everything" by Michael Buble. The dance with my Dad that I have waited my whole life to have. I remember taking in all the details we had spent months planning--the hanging candles, the beautiful cake, the music selections, and the red roses everywhere.


It was a beautiful evening.
It was a perfect day.
It is over.


One of the moments that I will never forget is the moment my sweet cousin, Lisa, pulled me aside. She got married last summer (tomorrow is her one year anniversary!!), and she told me something I will never forget. She said that the wedding day is great, and so much fun, but it will not be the best day of my life. The best day of my life will be the day I get home from the honeymoon and realize that I have forever with my best friend. 


That day came for me.


And it was the best day. I was not wearing a beautiful white wedding dress. I was not surrounded by fragrant bouquets, photographers, family, friends and champagne.


But I was with my best friend. Holding his hand. Resting my head on his shoulder. Feeling safe, secure, content, and in love.


That was the best day. And it is only getting better.


How sweet it is to be loved by him. To have a future with him, to have forever and always. 


My wedding day was everything I could have ever imagined...but it was just the beginning.