Friday, May 15, 2009

Things I Remember

That Saturday, I woke up early despite having gone to bed fairly late the night before. Unsurprisingly, both of my parents were up before me and were busy puttering around downstairs. I put on my dressing gown and joined them to eat leftovers in the kitchen.

I think had a glass of apple juice.

Full of nervous energy, I headed to the washroom to shower and wash my hair. By the time I got out, my hair wrapped in a towel, my friend Care Bear had already arrived.

I think she was more nervous than I was.

By the time I was ready to at least change into the requisite iron maiden, my hair had dried, two more friends had arrived, and I was ready for a nap. I knew the house would be full of people all day and yet I felt oddly serene at the center of the storm that surrounded me.

I think my make-up looked weird.

When the big moment arrived as many people as could fit piled into my tiny bedroom. I took off my dressing gown and put on the beautiful white dress. Care Bear fluffed the skirts while SGH tried to hide her tattoos from my mother’s dismayed gaze.

I think I felt beautiful for the first time ever.

The next countless number of hours were filled with photos in the house, in the garden, on my own, with my parents, with my friends, and even the odd one that didn’t include me. At some point Mr. M stopped by to give me a silver penny to slip into my shoe.

I think my feet were already hurting.

When no one was looking, I snuck into the basement to nibble on more leftovers. Before I knew it, the car had arrived and my father and I had to leave.

I think I felt ready.

Unsurprisingly, my aunts were standing outside smoking when I arrived. We tried to usher them so we could get started. My friends and their counterparts entered in pairs. My parents stood on either side of me and as the doors opened they took my arms and reminded me to smile.

I think I took a big breath.

Music was being played somewhere in front me but I looked only straight ahead. Faces both familiar and new smiled back at me as I walked forward but there was only one face I wanted to see. He looked so incredibly handsome. He looked nervous yet happy, his green eyes sparkling as if we were the only two people in the room.

I knew I loved him.

That was 11 years ago and while there have been occasional moments when I was annoyed with him, and even ones when I was angry with him, I have never doubted the words I said that day.

Happy anniversary, my love.

29 comments:

Casey (@ Chaos and Cardboard) said...

Happy Anniversary! And what a beautiful dress! Easily something that you could pass on one day.

Lydia said...

How wonderful! We celebrate 11 yrs in Dec. It was a great year to get married! ;) Hard to believe how time flies, huh?

Anonymous said...

happy anniversary! Lovely story! I should write mine down somewhere too before the years pass and I forget more details, we've been married for 14 yrs!

illahee said...

happy anniversary!!

LadyFi said...

Oh, that is so so so sweet! Says she wiping away a tear.

We celebrate 12 years tomorrow!

Bird Stalker Photography said...

happy anniversary visiting from sits, hope your day is awesome!

Anonymous said...

11 Years? How time flies!
I remember the rehearsal party in the back garden the night before. We put the food on the vents and the airconditioning broke.
I remember the lady who came to do the makeup who insisted that get mine done too.
I remember the photographer who was great and who caused great problems afterwards.
I remember the two new cars because the Grizzmobile wasn't good enough and the black limos because white wasn't right.
I remember being allowed to walk you down the aisle with your father.
And there were many more stories of that day.
But most of all I remember how beautiful and happy you looked.
Happy Anniversary!
merthyrmum

Unknown said...

A wonderful tribute to your marriage and anniversary! Beautiful dress and what I can see of you!

Zuzana said...

My absolutely best wishes to both of you; how extraordinary to have found the ONE - few are so privileged.

Betty said...

Happy Anniversary! Best wishes and many more years together!

Sturgmom said...

Happy anniversary!!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"but there was only one face I wanted to see."

Oh, that is so sweet. Congrats on the 11 years. The best is yet to be!

Anonymous said...

Awww bless. Lurvely. :)

Gutsy Living said...

Beautifully written. Now we're going on 23, and getting closer and more stubborn with age. That's him, not me, of course.

Connie said...

What a beautiful wedding story :) As mentioned in another comment, this is a good thing to write down. My husband and I have been married 17yrs (this March) and our wedding story is a lot more silly... we were active-duty Army, our friends and family were scattered to the winds, etc. Chichis' mexican restaurant was involved... but it is something we should record, even if it isn't as fairy tale beautiful as yours :D ... the main point is the 'happily ever after' anyway. Congrats to you both!!

Unknown said...

Happy anniversary :)!
I can sign the same statement like your words there in the end ;)

Marshmallow Circus said...

Happy Anniversary!

Kathy B! said...

Happy Anniversary. I love how you wrote this I have so many memories of my own special day... some are crystal clear, and some I think I remember...

N said...

Hi, I left you a present on my blog:)

Happy anniversary!

theUngourmet said...

Such sweet memories! Happy Anniversary you two! May you enjoy many more years of happiness!

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!!

Brenda said...

That is a very sweet tribute :) Happy anniversary.

Veronica said...

(Belated) Happy Anniversary to you both - and lovely comments from Mum

Caution/Lisa said...

It must have been a beautiful wedding. Glay you're still feeling the love in those vows :)

Anonymous said...

Sniffle...Tear.... Barf.

Why don’t you talk to me like that anymore?

Lovely Post!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for reminding me of that beautiful day! It was an amazing wedding and you looked *gorgeous*! I'm sorry if I scared your mom, but I think she still liked me! Surprisingly, those are the first wedding photos I've seen of the day, but they brought back some really great memories. Congrats to both you & hubby on 11 yrs....time flies!

SGH

Momma Chae said...

What a good idea to write this all down before you forget it! I need to do the same. :)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post ... and pictures.

Happy Anniversary!

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Lucy said...

What a beautiful post! Looking forward to reading more of your blog.

P.S. Thanks for visiting my blog and as for what Barry and I discussed, I'm afraid it's personal. :)