here comes the bride

I was a bad bride. There. I said it. I wasn't a nasty Bridezilla, making too many demands. I just didn't get the wedding thing so much.

I wanted to be married.

{Here's a little math for you: I'm not a planner + I'm no-nonsense + I was young and dippy + big events make me nervous = mute and tense jerk Lisa. Not a great combination.}

I even suggested eloping, to prevent my impending nervous breakdown save my family some dough, but we went ahead and had a real wedding, along the Applegate River in Southern Oregon.

Yep, that's Uncle Cam, Greg & Brent

I hear a lot of folks poo-poo outdoor weddings and they have their troubles - too much squinting, wind, getting dressed in a tent - but we didn't have tons of options. Greg's dad was working in India at the time and we sandwiched our special day between his family's llama shows when he was back in town for three weeks. Still, I love this park. It's just a mile or so from where my in-laws live now and I like to wonder down there, even in the winter.

The kiss

We tried to light a unity candle, just as a breeze picked up and I grimaced as the lighter's flame did the hokey pokey through my fingers. Immediately after the ceremony, we wrapped my hand in ice and I proceeded to hug our guests in the receiving line, cold water dripping down their backs.

Dancing. It's how I knew he was the one for me.

Everything else I could say makes it sound like a flop: My sister-in-law, Nikki, had the stomach flu and had to excuse herself midway through the vows to hurl. Cam had to conquer his fear of speaking in public to give us a proper toast. I caught said virus and gave 'in sickness and in health' brand new meaning. My parents worked so very hard to make it all happen and then I would said dumb things about how hard it was for me. (I was a 23 year old brat, I see that now.)

But take my word for it: It was perfect.

It was just what I needed. I got the man and the family and the life I have today. Oh to be so lucky.

*****

Greg called me from his hotel room last night, out of town, to ask me how our anniversary was faring this year. Pretty glum, from both accounts. I took the kids to the new Sonic and he worked until late.

We said goodnight and I tucked the kids in. Won't be long and we'll make up for it. Bermuda. Moving and less nights apart.

I fell into a deep calm sleep, the best I've had in weeks.

Thanks Dad for scanning the pictures for me.