the wedding luncheon...

After our early morning wedding, we had a catered luncheon at my church. It is the one thing I would change about my wedding day, if I could change anything. I liked having all my family and friends together for a nice meal. I really loved the "program" where our parents and each of our siblings stood up and told funny stories about us. But if I could do it all over again, I would never do it on the actual wedding day. I would have a nice dinner the evening before and let the wedding day be just that. But it is what it is. We have our entire wedding luncheon recorded (thanks to Colby Holt) and I love watching it and listening to the stories.

One memory that isn't written down but I think of often happened just before the luncheon began. Aaron and I stayed on the temple grounds longer than everyone else so we could do the whole picture-posing thing. When we arrived at the luncheon, I was in a simple green dress, but Aaron was still wearing his tux from the wedding. He brought an outfit to wear for the luncheon and went into the men's bathroom to change. I was waiting out in the hall because I didn't want to make my big entrance into the luncheon without my husband. As I was standing out there in the hall by myself, I thought... "Hey! He's my husband now and I can watch him take off his clothes if I want to!" So I straightened my shoulders and walked into the men's bathroom. Aaron laughed when he saw me and asked what I thought I was doing. I told him that I just came in to watch him change just because I was a married woman now. It's amazing how long you wait for such privileges and then all of the sudden after a 15 minute ceremony, nothing is off limits! Some people might have a hard time making that transition so quickly... but I certainly did not.

I remember most of the stories and appreciated all the things we received from our siblings and parents at our luncheon... we still use the beach towels Deb gave us and the nice framed Greg Olson painting from Greg and Annette still hangs on our wall. But one thing I had forgotten was the message given from my grandma Roma on the day of my wedding. I was able to play it back today and my eyes filled up with tears and I listened to what she had to say. I only wish I could post it here, but the sound is terrible. This is what she said (in a nutshell.) "I wanted to say something to the bride on her special day. I am only a few years older than she is. I have learned true friendship and true love from Janet and her family. There's no girl like Janet. So Aaron, I hope I don't have to use THIS (raising her walking cane in the air) on you. You better treat her well!" Even though Roma's not around anymore to protect me, she would be happy to know that he has treated me superb for ten solid years. That cane must have scared him into shape!