I just got back after taking time off for my wedding and honeymoon. I don’t know how many times I’ve said that in the last few days either to explain my delayed response to an email or voicemail … or in an attempt to garner a little sympathy or leniency, but it can be hard coming back and trying to play catch-up. I took a few weeks to not only enjoy and relish my wedding, the surrounding events, family, friends and of course, my husband, but also to relax and have fun in Indonesia. We spent time in Bali and the Gili Islands (which are part of Lombok) and had the most amazing time. Our honeymoon (or “bulan madu” as they say in Bali) exceeded all expectations.

I don’t mean to sound melodramatic, but in the midst of feeling like I’m still floating, a part of me is a little blue. Coming back from any time off or vacation can be an adjustment, but it’s more than that. We planned the wedding and related events for over a year. There were more than a half a dozen showers and parties leading up to Labor Day weekend and half of them involved traveling to California, Wisconsin, Canada and even Baker Lake (I guess that’s more like a mini-trip).

It’s not the center of attention that I’ll miss, but just the reason for celebration, to bring people together. I had the most hilarious and memorable weekends with some of my favorite women in 2009 — all because I was getting married. That seems funny to me! Why don’t we plan those trips every year?

But it’s been fun recalling and retelling what happened on our wedding day and realizing that even when things go wrong, they can be perfectly imperfect. Any and every thought of that day makes me smile (so… I’m semi-blue?).

We were married on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend (9/5) and had to make the call at 2:30p on whether or not we would have the 5p ceremony outside or inside. We checked the weather forecast on our iPhones all day and watched the sky…it turned gray then a few rays of hopeful sunshine would peak out, then back to gray, crazy winds, a little drizzle…. and back to not-so-gray. We decided to go for it. We had wanted to enjoy an outdoor ceremony, but knew we needed a back-up in Bellingham (or Custer to be exact). All our vendors were so optimistic! They kept saying that rain had been in the forecast for other recent weddings and they hadn’t seen even a sprinkle. “It’ll be fine!” they said.

Everyone’s seated. The bridesmaids walk down the aisle. Flower girl gets laughs.
I walk out of the woods with my dad…(down the aisle) my heart pounding. We’re both a little choked up.
And it starts to rain.
By the time Josh and I are saying our vows, it’s pouring.
This isn’t Bellingham (or Custer) rain. This is Midwest rain. Huge, hard, fast rain drops.
And the crazy thing was everyone in the audience stayed seated and stayed smiling, listening! We cut the ceremony short after vows, ring ceremony and the kiss (our co-officiants recited what was missed later as part of our post-dinner toasts)….and we all sprinted to the airplane hanger for cover (and the reception…and much dancing and fun).
And it didn’t rain a drop after that.