THE MOST PERFECT DAY!!!

Brooke’s wedding day was PERFECT! As I was waking in the morning I thought of Jesus when He turned the water to wine at the wedding. That thought helped relax my mind as my impression was that He would help me that day—if it was important to me, it was important to Him and He’d be there by my side all day to help me make that happen! And IT DID! It was truly the best day and I didn’t want it to end! We started by having my hair stylist Julia Swartz, do all of our makeup! She came over bright and early at 7am, so I was showered with my base makeup on and ready to go! I was the first one so that everyone else could sleep a little longer and give me more time to do last minute things before we left for the temple. Brooke went next and then Megan, McKenzie and then Katelyn was the last one. Brooke and Ben left early for the temple, because they wanted to get there early and just ponder and talk and be in the moment of everything that was about to happen. They read each other’s Patriarchal Blessings and studied the scriptures together. I didn’t leave that much later than them, but I got inside the temple before they did and had a wonderful chance to just sit in the lobby inside the temple and just be still! I read my Book of Mormon and then I had some time to just people watch. I noticed that at least 3 couples that were obviously getting married that day showed up stressed, or in a hurry because they arrived late or otherwise seemingly scowling—they just didn’t look super happy for it being their wedding day! I do love to people watch but it was just interesting that most of them didn’t look super happy but then as I thought about it I realized that they were probably feeling a bit stressed by all the emotion of the day, so I figured that was why. THEN, as Brooke and Ben walked in it was COMPLETELY different. They walked in with a light about them that was so sweet and their faces looked like they were at an amusement park—they looked SO EXCITED and JOYFUL and HAPPY to be there, in the temple, getting married! I thought that was so sweet. They both have waited a long time to find the right one and they definitely don’t take their relationship or their wedding day or the covenants they were about to make lightly! It just filled me with so much joy to sit there and witness that—to see the difference from other couples doing the same exact thing that day! I am just so thrilled for them and it makes my heart so happy that THEY are so happy!

The Sealer who sealed them did such a good job explaining the covenant. And because he didn’t know them personally—he made it about the actual covenant they were about to make instead of about them, which I thought was really nice! His words were so beautiful and he talked about the importance of Brooke’s role as the Matriarch of her family as being just as important as Ben’s role as the Patriarch! It was seriously so spiritual and wonderful. AND, he didn’t go too long or too short. It was literally THE perfect length and I could feel the spirit so strongly during the whole ordinance. They just looked at each other the entire time and were so excited to finally be getting married! They just beamed goodness, light and joy. I got surprisingly emotional during the Sealing as well! I was just so overwhelmed with gratitude about the blessing of what was happening and it was all because of the Savior that it is all even possible. I just felt so grateful to Him during the whole thing. And looking out and seeing all of the people that were there to share this very special time with us was truly such a blessing! The room was almost full! It was fun to hug everyone who came before and after! Brooke and Ben stayed in the Sealing room for several minutes after the Sealing. The Sealer had encouraged them to take as much time to stand and look in the mirror and ponder the covenant they had just made! The temple worker who was Brooke’s attendant was the cutest thing, as well. I wish I could remember her name—she was perfect for Brooke and for me! She was so calming and helpful and was just so sweet to both of us. She was just so cheerful and happy and truly excited for her! She let Brooke take as much time as she needed afterward too! She didn’t try to rush us or tell us any kind of expectation—she just let us BE! She was sure CUTE!

Pictures went so great after the temple—Tia and Mykee were AMAZING and Tia had the process so organized and communicated so well to everyone what was happening next. The weather was beautiful—a bit warm—but beautiful!

The reception was AMAZING!!!!! It was such a fun party and we got such a great turnout! It was so fun to see people we haven’t seen in YEARS. I love that Anna and Rich Cosenza came and Cris and Jim Dilworth came! I thought it was the State swim meet, but apparently it was pushed back a week so she had 2 weeks between district and state. I told her that worked PERFECTLY for our party! It was so fun to see her and she visited with Megan, Brooke AND Katelyn. It was so fun! We got to visit with almost everyone and were also able to eat before the actual reception started so that was AWESOME!!!! The DJ was rear-ended on his way over to set up, but he was only 15 minutes late and had everything set up on time still and he was amazing! He did a great job and mixed the songs so well! What a party! Luke and Logan (other than Ben’s brother Andrew) were the stars of the dance floor! They both REALLY got into the dancing! When Luke saw all the guys dancing in the middle of all these young bridesmaids and groomsmen, he caught on to the idea and went in that circle and showed off all of his dance moves too! Then Logan caught on and was following right behind. We all got to dance together and it was just SO MUCH FUN to celebrate Brooke and Ben! They are the most grateful couple as well. Both of them throughout the evening came up to me separately and together to tell me how grateful they were for the whole day and that everything went so perfectly and that it was just the best day ever. They expressed gratitude SEVERAL times for all that went into the day and the party and for all the work that was done on their behalf. It just made my heart so FULL and HAPPY!! I’m excited to see where they go and what they accomplish as a couple! The send off was so beautiful with the rose petals—it created such a cool effect and looked so beautiful. I got a little bit sad as I watched Brooke drive away! For just a moment, I felt like a piece of my heart literally drove off… she has been literally my best friend for the past several years and I love her so much! I truly love Ben and KNOW he’s perfect for her and I have full confidence that he will take care of her and love her, but it was just a twinge of sadness for just a second or two! So many people stayed to help clean up and we all got a piece of the wedding cake which tasted soooo good! The soda bar supplied some much-needed caffeine and it gave me the energy to pretty much get almost everything cleaned up! The drawback was that my head didn’t hit the pillow until 1:15am! The Israelsen’s stayed for quite a while visiting on our front porch by the swing—they really enjoy talking. Jenell and Ruby swam and hot tubbed for a bit too. Everyone here stayed up and watched a movie while Bill and I worked to get things cleaned up and it was a fun atmosphere with Andrew playing the piano while we worked to clean it all up. Molly was absolutely AMAZING the entire day and night and the party was just beautiful. Kaden didn’t head back home to Surprise until well after midnight and Katelyn had to take Maile (a bridesmaid) to the airport at 3am! Our backyard was the PERFECT location and everything was just magical! It really was the PERFECT day!!!

PS-- I love the picture taken from behind Bill and I of Brooke and Ben's first dance!  This picture just shows so much emotion!  It was taken by Karl, who is Christine's husband. Christine is one of Bill's secretaries at the office.  On the exact opposite side the photographer (Tia) is taking the same picture from the other perspective... just so cool!