(no subject)
I'm not sure I can do the wonder and beauty of this weekend justice with my words. I've never been surrounded by such an amazing group of people. I'm typically the sort to make excuses and shy away from being social if politeness allows it. I suppose I needed something like a wedding to force me out into the mix and show me that things aren't always the way I imagine them to be.
Though I say weekend, the excitement started Wednesday night with a bachelorette party. To preserve the dignity of the unnamed, I'll go easy on the details. Suffice it to say that we encountered toothless waiters, sombrero-veils and dancers with mohawks. Deciding to join this group of girls though I only knew the bride herself was the first crossing of the line that usually keeps me safely home on my couch. I nearly didn't go, actually, thinking at the last minutes of reasons why I was better off at home with my husband. I'm so glad that I made the right decision in the end, and I can't imagine a better group of women to share this sort of experience with than those I met that night. I'd forgotten what it was like to be able to be completely real.
With Friday night came the rehearsal dinner, hosted by the parents of the bride. Having already met many of the girls, I was relieved of my typical new-people anxiety, and was able to meet with family members and friends alike with no fear. I've come to realize now that the bride and groom choose to surround themselves with these people for a reason, and I hope to build a similar network of True Human Beings myself. As a bonus, we were treated to a seriously good low country boil from the masterful hands of the bride's stepfather. If I'd known that food that good was only blocks away while I still lived in Riverside, I might have stayed there.
Saturday we had the opportunity to accompany some of the midwesterners to the beach. We splashed around and I ended up with a minor sunburn and some fantastic memories. Saturday night brought the wedding itself, which was of course perfect. A small handful of pictures are available here. Note my own husband looking surprisingly grown up in his best man suit. We later attended a small afterparty, and then hosted an even smaller one of our own.
By Sunday I was completely exhausted but utterly content. Brunch was more fantastic food from the bride's folks and then some lazy goodbyes. Special thanks go out to Scott for being the best houseguest ever and an overall great guy and to Brenda and another Chris for reminding me that I am in control of my own destiny and that even though some things look very, very hard, the hard things are ultimately the most worthwhile. Now if we can only get everyone to move down here, I'd be the happiest girl ever.
Though I say weekend, the excitement started Wednesday night with a bachelorette party. To preserve the dignity of the unnamed, I'll go easy on the details. Suffice it to say that we encountered toothless waiters, sombrero-veils and dancers with mohawks. Deciding to join this group of girls though I only knew the bride herself was the first crossing of the line that usually keeps me safely home on my couch. I nearly didn't go, actually, thinking at the last minutes of reasons why I was better off at home with my husband. I'm so glad that I made the right decision in the end, and I can't imagine a better group of women to share this sort of experience with than those I met that night. I'd forgotten what it was like to be able to be completely real.
With Friday night came the rehearsal dinner, hosted by the parents of the bride. Having already met many of the girls, I was relieved of my typical new-people anxiety, and was able to meet with family members and friends alike with no fear. I've come to realize now that the bride and groom choose to surround themselves with these people for a reason, and I hope to build a similar network of True Human Beings myself. As a bonus, we were treated to a seriously good low country boil from the masterful hands of the bride's stepfather. If I'd known that food that good was only blocks away while I still lived in Riverside, I might have stayed there.
Saturday we had the opportunity to accompany some of the midwesterners to the beach. We splashed around and I ended up with a minor sunburn and some fantastic memories. Saturday night brought the wedding itself, which was of course perfect. A small handful of pictures are available here. Note my own husband looking surprisingly grown up in his best man suit. We later attended a small afterparty, and then hosted an even smaller one of our own.
By Sunday I was completely exhausted but utterly content. Brunch was more fantastic food from the bride's folks and then some lazy goodbyes. Special thanks go out to Scott for being the best houseguest ever and an overall great guy and to Brenda and another Chris for reminding me that I am in control of my own destiny and that even though some things look very, very hard, the hard things are ultimately the most worthwhile. Now if we can only get everyone to move down here, I'd be the happiest girl ever.