No 7 Year Itch Here

My wedding was a beautiful day. I love reflecting on it each year on this day. My dress was one of my most favorite things about the day. I still want to put it on and twirl in it but it won't zip, of course. The dress was fun, simple, comfortable, elegant and had the best story that went with it. Julie and I bought that dress one day while having a little mourning shopping trip in LR after my grandmother died in late Winter 2002. Randall and I had been dating for almost 3 months. No one knew we were trying on dresses and no one would have ever dreamed we were for real going to buy one until we called mother from the store to get her permission. I think Kathy had a mild heart attack and I think everyone in the west and central part of the state heard her yell at me over the phone. She made us fax her a picture of the dress from the store for approval. She then told me (all by phone) that it was my dress. I had to wear it no matter who I married. She then told Julie to take it home with her and that I was not to take it back to my apt in Conway because she feared I would model it for all my girls (She was smart). I then had to take the pictures and the catalog home to FS the next day after class and show it to her. I remember I got stopped on the highway for speeding and I told the man I was newly engaged and was taking my ring and dress home to my mom (I was wearing my recently passed grandmother's wedding ring on my hand). He let me go and told me congrats. I am such a liar and should be ashamed, I know! By the way...this was all in March and we did not get engaged until September. Crazy stuff and a super fun sister memory.

I cherished having all those closest to us in our wedding. I also loved the bridesmaid dresses. Those have quiet the story too, but I will spare you and save it for another year. Our wedding party was as follows (from back, left to right): Tim (RWL's uncle), Sarah (AJL cousin), Ben (RWL dad), Julie, me, Randall, Melissa (BFF), Rick (RWL uncle), Lindsey (AJL forever friend), Zach (AJL cousin), Hollye (AJL cousin), Caly (AJL cousin), Samuel (Julie's oldest) and Matthew (AJL cousin- Hollye's husband)

These sweet people made my ceremony extra special. (Left to right) Gini played the piano (longtime family friend), Melissa attended my book (Theta Big), Ashlea read the Irish Blessing (B-day twin and college bud), me, Randall, Paige played and sang "Thank You Lord How Could I Ask For More" (college bud), Jenny read Bride to Be (college bud) and Keith sang the beautiful and infamous Geoff Moore wedding song (minister of music from my home church where I got married).

And finally, the happy couple. What a journey these past 7 years have been. I could write a book that would make you both laugh and cry. I love that God gave me Randall and saved my heart for my sweet man, and his heart for me. I cherish the sweet love we have for each other and can't wait to watch it grow more and more as the years go by. This year I am especially smitten with our little "love child". He is the best anniversary gift, ever!

Abby