Are any of you 'oldest' children? I think it makes a difference in the way you view your siblings. I am the oldest of four girls, and though we are close in age, and close in general, I feel very protective of them. No, I never felt like I had to 'raise' my sisters, but I did feel a sense of responsibility for their well-being. Whether than well-being was when we were little and one of them got hurt, or when we were teenagers and I had to help 'correct' them for being wrong (haha), or when they entered serious relationships with boys and I immediately put MY guard up- ready to protect their sensitive hearts. I have never been good at telling them or showing them how much I care and love them, but I hope that they recognize that my protectiveness and concern for their well-being, whether physical, mental, or emotional, is only because I love them and care so much.
ANYWAY, off that tangent, and on to the post. So Sarah is one of my twin sisters, born two years after me. A little over a year and a half, maybe two, years ago, Sarah began telling us about this boy she met at school named Micah. Micah was completely opposite of everyone Sarah had ever dated. I was not really concerned about the seriousness of their relationship, because he seemed "not-her-type." But then something changed: Sarah. I watched as their relationship grew, and she grew. She matured in a way I never expected. Micah's differences brought out a kinder, more sincere, serious, and dedicated Sarah than I had previously known. Micah was actually present the weekend Ryleigh was born, and I can remember watching him hold her...but more specifically, watching Sarah watch him hold her. The tender look on her face, as if she was imagining more... Well, needless to say, the two were engaged last summer, and wedding bells were ringing!
Now to present day. Weddings are a lot of work. I don't remember feeling that way 5-years ago during my wedding. Sure, we had lots of planning involved, and I got stressed towards the end, but I think I assumed it was MY stress, and possibly my parents. I did not realize that a wedding impacts every member of the family. I wanted to be there for my sister. When she asked me to be a bridesmaid, it was more than simply standing beside her during the ceremony. I went with her to pick out her dress, try on our dresses, looked at stuff for registries on line, attended bridal showers, picked out lingerie, planned the lingerie shower...you get the drift. And let me tell you: weddings are not cheap. And not just for the parents throwing the wedding (though I'm sure my parents will be poor for quite awhile after this bash!) Last week we had plans every single day/night:
- Tuesday night: Make the chocolate-covered pretzel favors for each guest.
- Wednesday night: Put together the wedding ceremony programs.
- Thursday morning: Shopping for bachelorette party & lingerie shower.
- Thursday night: Bachelorette party!
- Friday morning: Nail appointment and bridesmaid lunch
- Friday evening: Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
- Saturday morning: Lingerie shower and bridal lunch
- Saturday afternoon: Hair, makeup, and pictures
- Saturday evening: Wedding and reception!
That is a lot of stuff! And to think-- my mom and Sarah had LISTS upon lists, of stuff to take care of, on top of this list. Mine is truly NOTHING compared to theirs. It was a lot of fun, especially since Susan, Sarah's twin sister, was in town and we all got to hang out together for awhile. I don't remember the last time the four of us had so much fun, quality time to hang out. And Micah came in town on Wednesday, so I got a chance to be around him some more, and get to know him even better. All that to say, there was a lot going on, and it was exhausting.
The bachelorette party was fun. We went to dinner at Gringos and had a few drinks. Their shots were not so tasty, but we all enjoyed relaxing a bit and hanging out. I guess we relaxed too much, because the manager of the restaurant tried to have us kicked out. UGH. We really were not being obnoxious, and it was a Thursday night- not the busiest night of the week! Oh well. The girls left and all came back over to my house for a little while.
Friday, the bridesmaids all went and got spa pedicures together. I normally hate pedicures, but this time was even worse. I'm very self-conscious of my toes, and to have a plantar wart on the bottom of my foot made it even worse. My toes looked pretty afterwards, but I sure felt sorry for the lady. After the pedicures, I went home, picked up Ryleigh, and met the girls at the tea room for the bridesmaid luncheon. Sarah had gotten us each monogrammed bags filled with goodies. It was special time, loving on her, as she loved back on us.
After lunch, we all parted and headed down separately to Galveston for the weekend. I had some how miraculously got my parents upgraded to one of the hotel's best suites, (one room with king size bed & bath, one room with two queen beds & bath, center living area with couches, sitting chairs, full-size dining table for 6, kitchenette, and bath), so we were all able to stay together for the same cost as two connected bedrooms. By the time Jesse and I arrived, it was almost time to get ready for rehearsal. We left momentarily to run to the grocery store and purchase some starch for his clothes. When we got back, he set up an iron and board and so did I. Then he went to the closet to grab his clothes...they were not there. Would you believe I forgot to pack his clothes?? Yes, they were hanging with the other hanging garments, and somehow I did not grab them. He had to borrow clothes from my cousin, and we headed down for rehearsal, Jesse slightly ticked at me. After rehearsal, we went to Gaidos for dinner, and Jesse started to lighten up. The dinner was excellent, and we had fun catching up with family. That evening, back up in our suite, Dad gave Sarah a gift. You see, the night before my wedding, he gave me a diamond necklace to wear. We were all curious whether he was going to do something for Sarah, and sure enough he did. He had saved my Mimi's diamond earrings to give her. You see, Sarah shares Mimi's middle name: Jeanette. So Dad figured it was appropriate to pass them down to her namesake. Very special.
Saturday morning we woke up and got moving. We were having all the women up in the center living area of our suite for a bridal lunch and lingerie shower. We went and picked up the Subway sandwich trays, chips, and the other girls chopped up fruit. It was fun watching Sarah open her gifts, blush, and not pull them all the way out of their bags. I don't see her get shy often, but I guess opening that stuff in front of her future mother-in-law had her slightly embarrassed. Shortly after the shower was done, Mom, Sarah, and Susan left to go get beautiful at the salon. The rest of us began to shower and get ready. We were supposed to be ready for pictures early...and the girls were running late. But let me tell you, when they walked in the door, Sarah looked beautiful. We were all ready and waiting, dressed in our red dresses. The photographer was there, ready to go. And thus, the evening began. Poor Ryleigh, had been so excited throughout the day and previous night, she had not slept well and refused to nap for me during the day. Well, right about the time we started taking pictures, she realized she was sleepy and fell asleep. We got some cute pictures of her, sound asleep before the wedding. As a matter of fact, I had to wake her up to go down to the wedding, and was holding her, giving her a bottle, as we walked down stairs and across the street to the beach. Did I mention that the wedding was in Galveston? Yes, Sarah and Micah were married on the beach. I must admit, I originally thought it was going to be gross, as Galveston is not the prettiest beach in the world, but it was not bad. The pictures actually look pretty! So, for the precession, Ryleigh was supposed to walk in holding Susan's hand. Well, since she had just woken up, she was slightly out-of-it, and would not let go of my hand! Susan and I looked nervously at the wedding coordinator and asked what we needed to do. She told us to all three walk down together. I felt bad, stealing Susan's spotlight, but it helped Ryleigh to be perfect. Once we got to the front, she was supposed to be handed off to someone else, depending on how she was acting. She was clinging to me, so I held her...the entire ceremony. She just wanted to be held! At one point she started squirming a small bit, but we gave her a pacifier and she was fine. It was a miracle, and certainly NOT what any of us had expected from her. Way to go Ryleigh!
I give all of this background for two reasons. One, so I write it down and remember all the ins and outs of the week. Two, because it sounds so crazy, with so much going on, but the moment Sarah walked out on that beach and her eyes met Micah's, it was all worth it. All the planning. All the stress from the week. All the crazy events and exhausting expectations. They really do love each other. And I saw it. In both of them. The ceremony was short, but super sweet. Tender moments were exchanged, and everyone watched as they publicly pledged to love one another for the rest of their lives.
The reception was tons of fun. I must say, being on 'this side' of the wedding is much better. I truly had a blast. Dancing with Ryleigh, chasing her across the room, actually getting to eat the food, and talk to people as long as you want... Every bit of it was fun. Until Susan and David (the best man) got up to give their speeches. Once Susan started crying, I started crying. Julie was crying. Mom was crying. Sarah teared up. Then Micah and Sarah had their first dance, and were so sweet, we all continued to cry. Then Sarah danced with my dad, and we all continued to cry. There should have been some kind of comic relief in there somewhere!! In all seriousness, it was some very sweet, tender moments, and it was touching.
The weekend was awesome. It was so hard to believe that my younger sister was capable, or old enough, to get married (despite the fact I was 3-years younger than her when I married Jesse). I was nervous about her getting married...until I saw them together this weekend. I'm so excited for both of them, and the life they have now begun. I imagine, the first few years might be hard, as they typically are for all newlyweds, but I have faith in them. I'm happy to see my sister so happy, and to hear her refer to herself as "Sarah Brown" brings a smile to my face every single time. I know Jesse is happy to have another guy in the family, and I see the two of them getting along very well.
SO, welcome to the family, Micah. We love you, and love the love you have for my sister. Please take care of her now, as we know only you can.
Sarah, I love you dearly, and I'm so very happy you have found your knight in shining armour. Enjoy the excitement of being a new wife, and try not to sweat the small stuff.
We love you both! Congratulations!
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