Friday December 30th, we got up early and got dressed up to go to the Mesa Temple for my brother Sam’s wedding to Kristen Dever. We arrived at the stake center to drop off our kids at the family nursery at about 8:35am, then hustled across the street to the temple for the 9am ceremony.
Our former Stake President, AJ Busby, performed the sealing and it was really lovely. He talked a lot about the role of Jesus Christ in a marriage and family, and how a family fits into the Big Picture. As I mentioned before, Kris looked so pretty, I cried a little when she walked in. They really look great together. I think there is a special kind of magic at a wedding where everyone knows there is a good match being made and the union has been anticipated. I like to think it was that way at our wedding (although the celebration in no way rivaled that bash thrown by Kristen’s parents) because it seemed like people were just having fun and truly celebrating.
There was a luncheon at Matta’s just down the street form the temple in the barrio. Bad neighborhood but cute restaurant and great food. That was a good time. I think the highlight of the luncheon was my nephew Jake’s kilt-and-tam combo made by his mom. Sam is a Scotch/Irish-o-phile, and Jake looked like his little mascot.
I also talked about the nice reception at the Reflections place—the dinner, dancing, cake, décor, music, etc. was all wonderful and the new couple still looked great. Kristen’s bridesmaids greeted guests at the door and took digital pictures of them, which were quickly printed and put into a scrap-guest book in which you signed your picture as you left. That was a great idea and a really nice keepsake (and a security measure, too!).
I just wanted to write about two moments from the wedding day that still choke me up. The first was at Matta’s waiting for lunch. I was sitting across the room from Kristen’s mother, Susan, who was wrangling her granddaughter, Kyla. Kyla started touching some decorations and Susan started to reprimand her, “No, no—don’t touch, Krissy….,” and then she caught herself. “Oh, wait—you’re not Krissy! Krissy’s all grown up, silly grandma….” She picked up Kyla and her eyes welled up with tears. “Krissy’s all grown up and married….” She sort of rocked Kyla on her lap wistfully and wiped her tears and it made me cry, too. I think my grandma was sitting next to her, and Susan said to Gram, “They really do grow up too fast (sniffle)—thank heaven we get grandchildren!” Really, such a sweet little moment.
Let me preface the second moment by telling you that Sam does not dance. All his life he has made fun of people dancing. He would go to dances at the Institute in college to socialize, but he would sit in the back and mock people. Sam abhors dancing and board games as “stupid.” So I know he really, truly loves Kris because he danced with her at the reception! And not only did they look adorable out on the dance floor (well, Sam looked the whole day as if he were in a bit of a barbituate haze--mellow and happy), but Sam chose a beautiful, perfect song for her—“And I Love Her” by the Beatles. When the music began, the whole day and all the emotion caught up with me and I totally cried. And I don’t mean tear-and-sniffle-cry---it was turning into Ugly Cry. They were darling and dreamy out on the dance floor, and if I were Kristen, I would feel like a princess hearing those lyrics.
Our former Stake President, AJ Busby, performed the sealing and it was really lovely. He talked a lot about the role of Jesus Christ in a marriage and family, and how a family fits into the Big Picture. As I mentioned before, Kris looked so pretty, I cried a little when she walked in. They really look great together. I think there is a special kind of magic at a wedding where everyone knows there is a good match being made and the union has been anticipated. I like to think it was that way at our wedding (although the celebration in no way rivaled that bash thrown by Kristen’s parents) because it seemed like people were just having fun and truly celebrating.
There was a luncheon at Matta’s just down the street form the temple in the barrio. Bad neighborhood but cute restaurant and great food. That was a good time. I think the highlight of the luncheon was my nephew Jake’s kilt-and-tam combo made by his mom. Sam is a Scotch/Irish-o-phile, and Jake looked like his little mascot.
I also talked about the nice reception at the Reflections place—the dinner, dancing, cake, décor, music, etc. was all wonderful and the new couple still looked great. Kristen’s bridesmaids greeted guests at the door and took digital pictures of them, which were quickly printed and put into a scrap-guest book in which you signed your picture as you left. That was a great idea and a really nice keepsake (and a security measure, too!).
I just wanted to write about two moments from the wedding day that still choke me up. The first was at Matta’s waiting for lunch. I was sitting across the room from Kristen’s mother, Susan, who was wrangling her granddaughter, Kyla. Kyla started touching some decorations and Susan started to reprimand her, “No, no—don’t touch, Krissy….,” and then she caught herself. “Oh, wait—you’re not Krissy! Krissy’s all grown up, silly grandma….” She picked up Kyla and her eyes welled up with tears. “Krissy’s all grown up and married….” She sort of rocked Kyla on her lap wistfully and wiped her tears and it made me cry, too. I think my grandma was sitting next to her, and Susan said to Gram, “They really do grow up too fast (sniffle)—thank heaven we get grandchildren!” Really, such a sweet little moment.
Let me preface the second moment by telling you that Sam does not dance. All his life he has made fun of people dancing. He would go to dances at the Institute in college to socialize, but he would sit in the back and mock people. Sam abhors dancing and board games as “stupid.” So I know he really, truly loves Kris because he danced with her at the reception! And not only did they look adorable out on the dance floor (well, Sam looked the whole day as if he were in a bit of a barbituate haze--mellow and happy), but Sam chose a beautiful, perfect song for her—“And I Love Her” by the Beatles. When the music began, the whole day and all the emotion caught up with me and I totally cried. And I don’t mean tear-and-sniffle-cry---it was turning into Ugly Cry. They were darling and dreamy out on the dance floor, and if I were Kristen, I would feel like a princess hearing those lyrics.
I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her too
I love her
She gives me everything
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her
A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her
A beautiful song, a beautiful night, and –hopefully- the beginning of a really beautiful life. Congratulations, again, Sam & Kristen. I am really proud of you for finally taking the plunge, Sammy, and wish you both every blessing.
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