I’m having a horrible time trying to download and edit pictures on my parent’s laptop, so I’ll just do a sneak peak and add more of the real wedding pictures when I have access to a non-Apple computer.
Nine and a half years ago, Derek and I were posing in this gap in the Berlin Wall, and now it’s a bit harder to squeeze us all in. Kathryn said she was afraid that I’d feel like they were stealing our thunder by getting married at St Mary’s, but I loved remembering our day as we celebrated theirs. (That, and our home church is so ugly that I’d seriously doubt her aesthetic sensibilities if she’d wanted them to have the ceremony there…) The kids and I had watched my wedding video this fall to give them the lay of the land, so they really were excited that this is where Mommy and Daddy were married!
Things went relatively well. We got there on time for the kids’ pictures, but since the photographer was running a bit behind, we got to see the Fixes and the Elsesser contingent and snap a few Muller family pictures before our services were required. Kathryn was amazingly calm, everyone seemed in a good mood, and everyone essential made it. I got some great pictures of my mom and Sue just before things started–it’s every mom’s dream to marry off her child to the child of one of her dearest friends, right? John escorted my mom down the aisle while my dad played Gabriel’s Oboe. Cammy and I were taking bets on how long it would take my mom (and therefore me) to cry, and it was a matter of seconds. The kids all walked down the aisle bravely and with smiles on their faces. Susie was a bit antsy, but not noisy. Kathryn was beautiful, and she didn’t bawl like I did. John looked so happy. We sang “Come Thou Fount,” Lizzie’s hymn!, and Derek and I read Ephesians 5 on wives and husbands. Pastor Ric came back to marry them, and his sermon was really solid. (His church is only a couple hours away from Thousand Oaks…maybe we should be commuting there on Sundays?) Banjo playing was mentioned. John’s company is the Bear Sharks, so one of the marines stood in the balcony in a bear costume, waving a shark for the whole ceremony. John and Kathryn exited under the sword arch, and Kathryn was duly spanked (and surprised!), all of which I got on video and will upload for the fam who didn’t make it. The reception was fun, Peter’s toast was great (also will be uploaded for the fam), and our kids danced their hearts out on the dance floor. Lizzie was the first one out, Tommy was the life of the party, and Susie lent her tiara to one of the USMC groomsmen for most of the night. Peter and John tangoed, I didn’t get to talk to nearly enough people, and when we left at 9 because Janie was exhausted, Tommy stayed with my parents to finish dancing and see them off, and Susie screamed and cried the WHOLE 35 minutes home that she wanted to go back to the party.
I’ve been wanting a sister since as long as I can remember. I don’t remember being overly disappointed when Peter was a boy (though going to see him is my first memory), and once John was born and almost died, of course I remember just begging God to save his life, not complaining that he wasn’t a sister. I always have been jealous of friends who have sisters that they’re super close to. But God in HIS perfect timing has now given me TWO amazing sisters who love Him more than anything and love the Willett family, as crazy as we are! I’m so grateful that I get to be friends with these girls for the rest of my life.
