The weather was Perfect.
I mean, really perfect. The weather you dream to have when you have a spring or fall wedding. Not what you would expect or even hope for in mid-August, on the heels of the most oppressive heat wave of the summer.
I waited in the back of the line, worrying I was going to pee in my dress. I have no idea what anyone else was doing or saying, or the looks on their faces. I only knew I had to pee more at that moment then I ever did in my entire life. Like , more then that time I waited to ride my first upside down coaster at Dourney Park.
I heard harp music. My best friends and sisters, one by one, headed out a Door and into a small brick garden. And then there was just me and my dad.
The harpist started playing the wrong music for me, and my dad reassured me that no one would notice. He refrained from saying, well, anything else, which would have ruined my eye makeup in about 30 seconds flat.
We had agreed the night before that, wearing my gown, we both wouldn't fit through the door together. Seemed simple enough for me, but my dad insisted on practicing it several times to make sure we'd get it right.
We did.
My dad Stepped out the door, and turned and extended his hand. And my mind rushed through years of thinking my dad was the only man in the world for me. I was 3. I was 5. I was 12. I was 26.
I stepped out next, trying not to trip or do something dumb. He held my arm. Then there was a trifecta of cool moments I don't think I'll ever be able to forget.
The first was the proud look on my dad's face as he took my arm. On any other occassion, that alone would have made me burst into tears, but I was too freaking nervous. Plus the whole I had to pee thing.
Then there was the moment I stepped outside. There was an audible "gasp" from everyone outside waiting for me. That was something I never expected, and didn't know how to handle. I felt beautiful. It was amazing.
Finally, when my nerves permitted me to look up, there was Ed at the end of the Aisle, grinning. Smiling. He looked so ridiculously happy, it was contagious.
Was I ready for this? Oh hell yeah.
I made it to the front, and nervously smiled at the Judge - Ed's old boss - who was marrying us. Suddenly, I could feel 148 heads staring at me. Plus one judge Mary. And my soon-to-be husband.
It all felt surreal. But perfect too.
"Hi Mary," I whispered at the end of the aisle. "I have to pee."
Mary started talking, welcoming people and taling about a covenant or something, and that feeling suddenly went away - to be replaced by shaking knees. Luckilly, no one could see that under my gown. But Ed clearly picked up on it, because he started squeezing my hand as Mary spoke.
I said "I will" and "I do" a few times, but I am not sure to what. I hope I didn't agree to anything bad. But it doesn't matter. The ceremony was perfect.
I mean, really perfect. The weather you dream to have when you have a spring or fall wedding. Not what you would expect or even hope for in mid-August, on the heels of the most oppressive heat wave of the summer.
I waited in the back of the line, worrying I was going to pee in my dress. I have no idea what anyone else was doing or saying, or the looks on their faces. I only knew I had to pee more at that moment then I ever did in my entire life. Like , more then that time I waited to ride my first upside down coaster at Dourney Park.
I heard harp music. My best friends and sisters, one by one, headed out a Door and into a small brick garden. And then there was just me and my dad.
The harpist started playing the wrong music for me, and my dad reassured me that no one would notice. He refrained from saying, well, anything else, which would have ruined my eye makeup in about 30 seconds flat.
We had agreed the night before that, wearing my gown, we both wouldn't fit through the door together. Seemed simple enough for me, but my dad insisted on practicing it several times to make sure we'd get it right.
We did.
My dad Stepped out the door, and turned and extended his hand. And my mind rushed through years of thinking my dad was the only man in the world for me. I was 3. I was 5. I was 12. I was 26.
I stepped out next, trying not to trip or do something dumb. He held my arm. Then there was a trifecta of cool moments I don't think I'll ever be able to forget.
The first was the proud look on my dad's face as he took my arm. On any other occassion, that alone would have made me burst into tears, but I was too freaking nervous. Plus the whole I had to pee thing.
Then there was the moment I stepped outside. There was an audible "gasp" from everyone outside waiting for me. That was something I never expected, and didn't know how to handle. I felt beautiful. It was amazing.
Finally, when my nerves permitted me to look up, there was Ed at the end of the Aisle, grinning. Smiling. He looked so ridiculously happy, it was contagious.
Was I ready for this? Oh hell yeah.
I made it to the front, and nervously smiled at the Judge - Ed's old boss - who was marrying us. Suddenly, I could feel 148 heads staring at me. Plus one judge Mary. And my soon-to-be husband.
It all felt surreal. But perfect too.
"Hi Mary," I whispered at the end of the aisle. "I have to pee."
Mary started talking, welcoming people and taling about a covenant or something, and that feeling suddenly went away - to be replaced by shaking knees. Luckilly, no one could see that under my gown. But Ed clearly picked up on it, because he started squeezing my hand as Mary spoke.
I said "I will" and "I do" a few times, but I am not sure to what. I hope I didn't agree to anything bad. But it doesn't matter. The ceremony was perfect.
