Our Love Story – Part 9

If you’re just joining this series, be sure to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 and Part 8 before you read this post!

After taking  an unexpected break from writing Our Love Story posts, I’m back on it! I’m excited because this week I’m telling you about our wedding.

After months of planning, meetings, dress fittings, planning, praying, organizing and praying…oh, and showers (the bridal kind), it was our Wedding Day – February 11, 2006.

A glorious day!

I got up early and started getting ready at home.  My bridesmaids were staying with friends, so I spent time with my amazing family.  It was precious.

I decided that this was “my/our” day and I wasn’t going to worry about details any more.  My mom and my sister answered questions and solved problems that I didn’t even know about….that I didn’t need to know about.  I was able to completely enjoy my fairytale day.

My sister drove me to the church to meet my love.   It was really important to us to have most of the photos taken before the service, so that we wouldn’t be leaving guests waiting…and waiting…and waiting.

We had a fun morning of wedding photos (in which my veil got tucked in my brother’s jacket during a picture and then yanked off my head when he stood up), broken zippers (on a bridesmaid dress), smiles, laughter and a light lunch with Our Fabulous Wedding Party.

I relaxed as we waited for the ceremony to start. The music was breathtakingly beautiful.

As guests arrived, I peeked out to see who was there.  I’m so nosy like that.

About five minutes before we were to walk down the aisle, we lined up.  My little niece, a bridal attendant, decided right then that she had to use the bathroom.  At this point, the bridemaids were already starting down the aisle, so I whispered to them “walk slowly.”

I took Aliyah to the bathroom and she wanted to take her dress off to go potty. No way in the jungle was that happening. Just in the nick of time, we got back in line for her to walk down.  Whew!

The doors closed.  I had my Daddy’s arm. {precious moment}

The most glori0us music filled my ears as the doors opened for us.  I saw Ernie waiting, but my eyes didn’t stay on him.  I looked at all the guests as I walked down. It was so special for me to look at them and thank them with my eyes.  It is something that I won’t ever forget.

My dad performed the ceremony.  Our vows were meaningful and heavenly centered.

Remember when I told you about the necklace that my Dad gave me when I turned thirteen?  Well, Dad asked for it back that morning.  I didn’t know what he was going to do with it, but part way through the ceremony, Dad began talking about the covenant I made with he and Mom – to keep my heart.

Dad pulled the necklace out of his pocket and gave it to Ernie who now had my heart. I’m pretty sure at that point, everyone had at least one tear in their eyes.

When Ernie and I started “courting,”  we agreed to wait to kiss until we got married.  It was not always easy, but it was worth it.  And it wasn’t awkward at all on our wedding day.

I loved being pronounced husband and wife…after fourteen years of thinking we would get married!

During Our Reception, I was so busy talking to guests, that I didn’t eat anything except one bite of cake. That was a mistake.

The children started screaming about how it was snowing outside, so everyone went to see because it never snows in Alabama. On February 11, 2006, it snowed for the only time  that winter. I’m convinced that it was God’s blessing on our wedding day.

My brothers along with the help of many others, decorated our car.  It was such a mess, that our first stop was a gas station and then the car wash.

As we left I smelled something funny, so I asked, “What is that horrible smell?”  My brother Luke, said, “Go, Go, Go!”

He had attached smoke bombs to our car. How nice.

So we were off.  On a cold, beautiful February afternoon.  Driving into the sunset to the rest of our lives.

What is your favorite wedding day memory?

Tagged as: love story