20 Years

 Twenty years ago today I was getting married and it was seriously the best day of my life. We have had lots of wonderful days since then but that day was so full of love and joy. Josh and I had been dating for 5 plus years at that point (well, if you can count a mission as dating). Maybe I should say that we had loved each other that long and knew that it was important for both of us to serve missions but we missed each other a lot and were so happy to finally be together. I remember feeling so happy that our lives were finally joined and we could be in the same state and even better, the same apartment! It was probably the only day of my life I have felt beautiful and it was so wonderful to have my family, Josh's family, our high school friends, my favorite mission companions, ward members, neighbors and former teachers and leaders all in one room to celebrate with us. Their love and support was so beautiful and it was just a wonderful day.

  

We were sealed in the morning at the Palmyra, New York temple. It was simple and beautiful and done by a family friend who was also the temple president so that was meaningful. Nothing was blooming yet so that was disappointing and the photographer was super late because he went straight to the stake center where we were having our ring ceremony instead of the temple. But it was all fine. Josh's family was supportive and we took lots of pictures outside the temple once the photographer got there. Then we went to the stake center and had a beautiful ring ceremony. The temple president spoke on what had happened in the temple, my nephews sang I love to see the Temple, Josh's mom spoke about a family being like a quilt and both of our dads said prayers. Our ring exchange was awkward because I had prepared to talk about Josh, not to him, but that is the only thing that bothers me when I look back on the day. 

Then we went straight to a restaurant that overlooked a golf course and had a luncheon. We stood in a line as everyone came in so it was perfect because we got to greet everyone but only had to stand there for 20-25 minutes. The food was so good and then my brother-in-law sang two songs I had picked; When I Fall in Love and I Love You for Sentimental Reasons. It was perfect. Josh's best man talked about him and then we cut a cake my sister had made but then served an Oreo ice cream cake. I had wanted an ice cream bar but the ice cream cake was the best we could do and it was delicious. After eating we mingled a bit and then it was over by 4pm. When I think back now, especially after having been to Josh's cousins' weddings which all went to midnight, they probably thought we were crazy being done with a wedding by 4pm but we couldn't wait to be alone and I did not want to be tired on my wedding night. We changed and took my parents' car and went off to a little cabin on Canandaigua Lake for three days.

 

All of my bridesmaids (my sisters, Josh's sister and my bestie from BYU, Carrie) wore purple dresses that my mom made. My mom also wore purple but Josh's mom wore a light blue suit. I was very unconcerned about the details of the wedding; I just wanted to be married. My mom picked the invitations, Josh's mom did the flowers (I told her yellow and purple and they were great) and Josh picked his own tux. Josh picked out my engagement ring and wedding ring (they hooked together) and my parents picked the menu. When my dad booked the venue while I was on my mission he said we would either have a lovely reception there or a very expensive ward party. I knew that Josh was the one for me though and never doubted for a moment that we would get married. I'm grateful for parents who trusted me enough to go along with it! 

It was a sunny and warm day, which for Rochester in April was a blessing. My dress was very simple. My mom had actually planned for me to wear a dress from her friend's daughter but it was sealed up and I couldn't try it on until just weeks before the wedding. Turns out it was too small so we went that day to David's Bridal in Boise and found a simple but pretty dress that was on sale. My mom ended up adding pearl trim all around the bodice, sleeves and the bottom and I wore a pearl and gold necklace with pearl earrings that had a little heart on them too. 

One funny thing about the day is that my two favorite companions flew out from LA for the wedding and we had a fun girls week beforehand going to Niagara Falls and I took them to my favorite custard place and showed them around my home town. Somehow an elder from our mission found out they were going to be there and he just drove down from Maine and showed up at the temple. He wasn't one that any of us were super close to but I think he had a crush on one of my companions so he is the group picture of us at the temple but I didn't invite him to the reception so then he just left and drove back to Maine. So weird! (He's off to the left--Benjamin Nutter) 

Our sealing was the beginning of a covenant relationship with God and I'm so grateful that we will be together forever. Especially with the recent passing of my brother-in-law, I'm grateful to know that Josh is mine forever as long as we keep the promises we made to God and to each other. It is a special responsibility to know that I have promised to do everything I can to get Josh to heaven and I have felt Heavenly Father's love and care in our marriage always. Now we have four wonderful children, have lived in four states, have both graduated from BYU and then Josh also from AFIT, we have owned two homes, he has a successful career that takes good care of us, we have served in many church callings, we have gone on many wonderful trips, we have dealt with loss and infertility and on the other side felt the struggles of parenthood. It has been a blessed and wonderful 20 years and we are happy and love each other and only wish we could spend more time together. I'm so grateful for Josh and our temple covenants and our very good life. I'm also so glad we went to Florida in February to celebrate because I won't even get to see Josh today but he got me some beautiful flowers and wrote the sweetest card.