January 31, 2015

We woke up to a cloudy day, with a cool crisp air. Everything felt so still, so perfect, so joyous, and for those few moments…so quiet. Jason later described it for him as the beginning of the most important “game day”. This weekend was very much my picture of heaven. We really wanted our weekend to be as much a celebration of our community, as it was about Jason and I. When I narrowed decisions down to things we liked…we would make a decision based on what would be most fun for everyone involved. Of course I wanted things to look beautiful, but mostly for each and every person to have the most fun and for God to be glorified above all else.

I wouldn’t have changed a thing. The week leading up to it, I spent with my mom and some “chosen family” in Austin,  LeeAnn, Megan & Chelsea.. I had asked them to be our florists and we all had 3 days together. 3 days I wouldn’t ever trade and we can’t repay them for. Jason was with his family and made it to TbarM before we did to get everything ready for the rehearsal dinner.

Then it all started and I felt like I was on a cloud for the next 48 hours. Girls luncheon, nails done, seeing all our family for the first time, getting ready, hearing our best friends share at the rehearsal dinner, and an awesome reunion after with everyone invited. Jason and I were able to write a speech to our family and friends about the important role they had in our life, one of my favorite parts of the weekend. (I watched it all through tears, while Jason spoke, through his tears) The day ended with telling Jason, “see ya at the chapel”, the perfect get together of all our friends and family at TbarM, and a sleepover with my best friends all in one room. I remember being awake longer than each of them, writing my family and friends notes and thinking of the memories and life we have walked together.

The day arrived! January 31st!

Some of my heroes had prepared the most beautiful bridal brunch and I had all the women in one room that I loved and respected! I was absolutely spoiled. The boys had a morning of basketball, games and guy stuff. We hurried back to the room, in the rain, to gather our stuff and head to the chapel! We got ready, took way too long, played loud music, prayed together and anticipated that evening. We did the picture thing, had surprises, and wrote letters to each other. I loved EVERY moment of it, Jason was just ready to get to the good part. And it was finally here, walking down the aisle with my Dad, was more than I could have imagined. I walked in to the song “Messiah/You’re Beautiful” by Phil Wickham. The part when it says..

“When we arrive at eternity’s shore, where death is just a memory and tears are no more. We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring, your bride will come together and we’ll sing “You’re Beautiful”.

I truly believe that moment was the closest we will come to knowing what entering Heaven’s gates is like, until it happens. What a beautiful site it will be!

We continued with the ceremony, words from both of our families, that we will treasure forever. (mostly because we have a video, not because I can remember them) My grandfather, who married my parents, married us as well. We did communion with our parents, the people who were handing us off, who had sacrificed it all for us and given their hearts into raising us. Then we turned around, as Mr. & Mrs. Jason Boone, and I saw all the people who had come to celebrate with us and was overwhelmed once again, holding onto Jason’s arm for always.

Then the reception, oh my goodness, the reception. It was joy, happiness, laughter, fajitas, margaritas, dancing, more laughing, cheesecake, bread pudding, and more dancing.

It was all our favorite people in one room! 

Our first dance was one of my favorite parts of the night, then dancing with my dad, then dancing with Jason while dancing next to my mom and dad and the Boone’s. After those dances, the dance floor exploded and didn’t stop until we cut it off when we left! We had an awesome DJ and a whole wonderful group of friends and family that know how to celebrate really well.

A skill that I pray we will always take with us, knowing how to celebrate others well. We will never be able to repay our families for that weekend and the way we were launched into our marriage. It was all we had dreamed of and more.