Something Old, Something New

Today is Monday, right?  I think it is.  I'm not really sure, of course, because I have been in a perpetual state of panic and/or an adrenaline-induced stupor since Wednesday.  And now that all of the festivities are over, I can step back and say that all of the effort was completely worthwhile.

When my sister Amy first got married, I was eleven years old and as equipped to be her maid of honor as Cael would be to dole out tax advice.  When it was time for my toast, I stared out at the crowd and froze up, managing only to repeat a few words that Amy herself was feeding me from the head table.

Come to think of it, maybe Cael would have been a better choice. 

So when the opportunity presented itself for me to take a more active role in her second wedding, I jumped at the chance.  Since it was a very small, private ceremony and there was no "bridal party", I didn't have to worry about speeches or bridesmaid's dresses or the which-groomsman-did-I-get-stuck-with fear.  Instead, I offered my services wherever possible, agreeing to make the programs, cook several of the menu items, help to decorate the sweet cupcakes that she'd selected rather than a full wedding cake, and most importantly, try my very best to take good photos and not make either Amy and Gabriel look like they were ten years late for the senior prom.
She didn't wear a wrist corsage, so I was already ahead.

My anxiety level didn't really get out of hand until Wednesday night, when I found myself compulsively making lists.  Things to Do, Don't Forget to Buy, Foods to Prepare, Bring to the Lodge, Food Cook Times, Supply Lists, etc.  I managed to maintain a pretty impressive work speed for several hours until midnight came and passed, when my older sister Sarah and I wrapped green bean bundles in bacon and bonded over our mutual love of making to-do lists of things we've already done just so that we can cross them off.  It's a sickness.

When the last beans were bundled, I thanked her for all of her help.

"Thanks so much.  It's amazing how much faster the work goes when you have two hands."

"You're welcome, but we had four."

I should have put "remember to sleep" on the to-do list.  I'd love to cross that off.

Finally, Thursday was upon us.  We spent the day getting Amy's hair done and preparing the beautiful park lodge for the big day, stringing up Christmas lights and placing candles to create a romantic atmosphere without risking a Cael or Graham-induced forest fire.

There were a few mishaps, of course, like when I completely forgot to bring the coffee maker, but it was made better by the fact that my Dad completely forgot to bring the coffee.  I guess his lists got less accurate after midnight, too.

But when my sister stepped out in her dress, the coffee didn't matter.  Or the green beans.

What mattered was that I was able to be a part of their special day.  Not only were Gabi and Amy joined, but Ethan and Keaton both received rings as well and we all applauded this new happy family.  No one remembered that there was supposed to be coffee.

The ceremony was beautiful, with soft music and candlelight and the laughter of family.  And at the end of the night, as we sent the happy couple off for a surprise night away, I threw myself down in a chair and finally exhaled.  It all went off without a hitch, and I could finally relax.

Until, that is, I realized that Graham's birthday was in two days, and I had no cake, no gifts wrapped and no clue what I'd be making for his party.

Gabriel and Amy were married, but Graham might have to stay two years old for another year...

Congratulations to Gabi and Amy!