Weddings sure make you miss your spouse that much more

Saturday was my friend Stacy's wedding. Our friends have been a little worried about how the events would go that evening, due to the groom's past of drinking himself under the table at weddings and acting like a complete fool. Thankfully none of that happened from the groom. Other than a butt load of PDA from the couple (I think there is a line when it comes to the newly married couple's PDA at the wedding, and they crossed it BIG time), it was a beautiful wedding.

This is me before I left for the wedding. I wanted a picture before I got all messed up from being out on the beach and dancing all night. I think it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. Although this picture did point out the lovely lines I'm starting to get around my eyes, reminding me about the big birthday coming up in November. Ugh! We'll save that for another day.

The wedding took place on the beach. I picked up two of my friends and headed over there. It was a beautiful, sunny day.

Here comes the bride

I had ran into the bridal party at the hair salon earlier that afternoon. I had made a hair appointment to get my highlights re-done and didn't realize that I had made the appointment for the same day as the wedding. I thought it worked out pretty nice, and it was great getting to see my friend get all dolled up for her big day. The ceremony was sweet but a little on the strange side. Her father was the officiant, but the beginning of the ceremony was, to me, a little strange. He was talking about how God made woman from the side of man because everything else came in twos, etc. I just thought it was strange, but it's probably just me. :) The bride and groom wrote their own vows and they were super sweet. Then they poured colored sand into a vase and included the groom's son. I thought that was super cute.


The beautiful bride and her parents



The wedding party



The sand as a new family

Husband and wife

 After the ceremony it was off across the street to the Yacht Club where the reception was taking place. It was a beautiful room with a beautiful view.

My "date" Marla and I

My "date" was my friend Marla. Seeing as my husband couldn't attend, it was nice to have someone to go with and not be the only one at the table without a date. I had a really good time with my friends. I was able to see some girls that I haven't seen in a long time, nor do I get to see often, so that was a major bonus. Plus I danced pretty much the whole night. I only sat out on the slow songs, dancing by yourself to those just isn't fun.

The Glenallen crew (who I taught with my first year teaching)

I have attended weddings with M before, actually him and I have only attended one wedding together and I've been to I think 3 without him, and it's been sad that he hasn't been there but it never really affected me. Let me tell you.....adding a deployment, and the end of a deployment at that to a wedding and you're bound for disaster. I cannot tell you how many times I had to catch myself from breaking down into tears. Watching everyone with their spouse really made me aware that M wasn't here to share this evening with. It also didn't help that some people were asking a lot of questions about M. I appreciate their concern for him and his safety and I don't see these people very often, so I assumed they would have questions. But nothing prepares you for the wide eye shock when you tell them what he actually does. I love talking about my husband, but tonight it just made me more aware he wasn't sitting next to me, and wouldn't be for awhile.
I cannot wait until we have an event that we can get all dressed up for, have a few drinks and go dancing. I really want to do that with him. I know he doesn't miss attending weddings with me, but it sure is nice to go to a wedding with your husband. Maybe one day we will get to go to another one together. Although I'm running out of friends who aren't married.
My mom watched the kids that night for us. It was nice to get some sleep. I still didn't log more hours than normal, but it was SOOO nice being able to wake up on my own and not have to jump out of bed the second I woke up. It was nice to just lay there, and of course fall back asleep for a minute. Sunday morning, when I finally got up I cleaned our house, went grocery shopping, talked to M and then went to my mom's to get the kids. I hung out there most of the day. Once Little L woke up from his nap, we took them to the beach. It is awesome to be at the beach around 5 or 6 in the evenings. It was a bittersweet weekend that of course went too fast.

Little L playing in the sand

Baby E on the beach