It is possible to dream of finding your soulmate. It is possible to find someone who loves you unconditionally. And it is also possible to find him after being single for 11 years and in ones 50's!
It is even possible that this person wants to marry you!
I am so happy to announce that Mike and I are now husband and wife!
Okay, it was way back in June, but it took me a really long time to sift through 350 pictures! Also, my life has been crazy busy since getting married as I have a very long commute to work now, had a new household to clean and decorate, and have been very busy being a pastor's wife, which I love!
Here's my wedding story in pictures. Please click on any of them to enlarge.
The night before the wedding, my daughter Tara and I stayed at a nearby hotel. In that time, I finally finished my toss bouquet and decorated my shoes. I had worn fancy satin shoes when I married my first husband, and decided that this time, I was wearing comfortable flats!
I just added little satin flowers for some bling.
The next morning, my bridesmaids and I went to the hair salon where I had my hair fancy for the first time ever! I found my headpiece and veil just 5 days before the wedding.
At the church, a memorial candle that Mike and I had made in honor of my parents was placed on the altar.
Here's my bouquet and our rings. I made the bouquet myself, and added a vintage brooch for bling.
My children, Sean, Tara,Jared and I before the wedding.
My sweet sons giving me a kiss!
My mother-in-law Nancy is also a pastor and was our officiant.
We showed a little video before the ceremony, and I thought this pic looked cool.
Time to begin!
My future husband waited for me at the alter with his son and best man Holden, and my son Jared.
First came Corinne down the aisle. She is Mike's daughter and my bridesmaid.
My daughter and Matron of Honor Tara was next.
With a big old smile on my face, I am escorted to the altar by my oldest son Sean. Read "escorted"...after all those years on my own, I surely didn't need to be "given away!"
I look more than just a little happy to be up there with Mike, about to be his wife!
We were so blessed to have all these people who care so much about us to be there to witness our happy day.
My son Sean sang "Testify to Love" by Wynona Judd.
The ceremony...
...and finally, we are husband and wife!
I call this pic "Who farted?"
Surely not Corinne...she is too pretty! I swear, she is gorgeous enough that she should model.
Happy husband and wife!
Our new blended family.
The tables were decorated for the reception.
Since I was on a very tight budget, I thought about using my gift boxes as decorations...double duty and doubly economical. They are filled with candy. It also meant less cleanup.
Here we all are at the head table. I found vases to put our bouquets in, and they also served as decoration.
Tara gave the first toast, a lovely poem she had written.
Then Holden gave his toast. Even though he is only 13 and was nervous, he did a great job!
I decided that I wanted to toast my groom. "Because you give me so much love - unconditionally, because you see the girl in me that no one else can see, because I want to give you my love fully and completely, because it all came together so very neatly...and because your butt looks good in jeans, I love you Michael Dean!"
Click on the pic to look at his face, lol. He was initially not really pleased, but later told me it was hilarious! I was plenty amused, as you can see!
This is me just sitting at the table, looking pretty pleased with my married self.
My new children: Corinne and Holden and me.
My mother-in-law gave me a beautiful watercolor painting as a wedding gift. I love it!
A quiet moment with my groom.
"I have to do WHAT for him now?"
My beautiful cake that a friend made for me at cost.
Mike gets the first bite...
...and then it's my turn. We were nice and did NOT smash cake in each others' faces. I think that is so disrespectful!
We decided to serve the cake to our guests.
Our first dance! I chose a very nontraditional song, Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters."
My girls and me, and my new nieces out there shaking our tailfeathers on the dance floor!
All too soon, it was over.
And it sure was fun!!!
Truly, this will stand as one of the very best days of my life!
When I got married and moved in with Mike, Jakey went to live with my sons in their new apartment.
Yesterday on my way home from work, I got a call from my oldest son Sean. He was in tears. He said that Jake was not acting right and he feared he was very sick and was afraid he would not make it. Poor Jake was unable to walk without stumbling and kept falling into the wall. He also laid on my youngest son's bed and urinated as he laid and just stayed there. This was very unusual.
This is Sean and Jakey.
Anyhow, I went straight to the boys' apartment, and we rushed Jake to the vet on an emergency basis. After an exam, we were told that he was very sick and close to death, and that even if we did emergency treatment, the prognosis was poor. My heart wept for my son when he made the painful decision to end Jakey's suffering. I told him that he had given Jake a very good life and that this was the last good thing he could do for him.
I was there with both of my boys as we comforted Jake through his last moments. It was heartbreaking for all of us, but especially for Sean as Jake his been his "little buddy" for the last 14 1/2 years.
We are going to miss him so much!
See you on the Rainbow Bridge, Jake!
We love you.
