10 years today 10.13.2011

Today I cannot stop smiling. I feel like I have met a real milestone in my life. Not just my life but the life we have created together. Erik and I have been married for 10 years today. It honestly does feel like yesterday. There are so many moments from that day that I remember vividly. Right about now I was at the hotel eating oatmeal, getting ready to leave to get my hair done. I was SO NERVOUS! Amber was laying in my bed hungover from partying with all the groomsmen the night before. I took a bath in the hot tub to try calm my nerves. I was irritated with myself because I had not bought a lipstick to reapply all day that I liked. But it was a very peaceful morning.

There was no question in my head that I was doing the right thing. We had already dated for 8 years. 8 years of learning, deciding, and ultimately committing to each other forever.
I remember him walking up to me with the biggest grin I have ever seen on his face when we saw each other for the first time. He made me blush, he made me feel so beautiful, he made me proud. Our wedding was at 7 pm so we didn't make all of our Lutheran friends sit through a Catholic Mass. I thought he would pass out because of the crowd-but he was steady as a rock, I did not anticipate me crying uncontrollably or my sister sobbing so hard. I can hear my Grandma saying,"Faith, we are not at a funeral." I am so grateful my Grandma was there that beautiful fall day.

The moment my dad and I were going to walk down the aisle he was beaming. He looked at me and says,"Are we ready?" I responded,"Let's do this!" Once we said our vows we were suppose to walk over and give both sets of our parents hugs along with a rose. We were so happy we forgot, all we could do was stare at each other and smile. I still have guilt for not remembering to give them that moment.

Our reception was at the Holiday Inn, the wedding party was introduced to the 500 plus crowd to a song I can hear in my head but could not tell you the name of. We were ready to have some fun! The speeches were perfect. The first dance was to Etta James' "At Last". My cheeks hurt from smiling and my arms hurt from hugging. My poor personal attendant never even got to eat until Domino's delivered to her that night. My family made a Congo line and danced all through that dance hall to "We Are Family." It was the perfect day. It was our day. I am still grateful to all those that were there to share it with us.
 I really do love him and I will forever.