Five years ago...

Five years ago today….
I woke up VERY early (like before 4:00 AM early) and could not fall back asleep. I tossed and turned, both anxious and excited about the day ahead. Around 6:00 AM I finally got up, showered, and went upstairs to the breakfast room of the B&B I had stayed in. I was shaking and felt like I was either going to start crying, or pass out from all of the emotions running through my body. I ran into the mother of one of Tim's friends from growing up, introduced myself as "The Bride" (we had never met) and she sat with me while I drank coffee and ate an English muffin. Without even knowing it, she calmed me more than I can ever thank her for, just by sitting with me and engaging in small talk. I think I later told her she saved the wedding because she was able to relax me.
I went back to my room where my two best and oldest friends - Shelley and Julie - were starting to stir, they had spent the night with me after the rehearsal dinner. Soon the hair and makeup people arrived, along with my mom, my mother in law and the wedding party. We sat and had our hair done, I had my make up done. We chatted and laughed. I heard the rain outside but chose to ignore it. At one point I said "How bad IS it out there?" and my friend Katie just brushed it off and said "Not bad at all." Thanks Katie for your perpetual optimism and being my most laid back friend. Unfortunately it WAS that bad out there! My mom called in a panic about where we would take pictures, with the weather the way it was. I told her it would all work out. I was surprisingly calm.
My friend Emily arrived to take picture of us getting ready. I can't thank her enough for this, as these are some of my favorite images of the day. The flowers arrived. The photographer arrived. We posed for more pictures. We chatted and laughed some more. We prepared to board the trolley. I saw how bad it WAS outside. Surprisingly, I remained calm as my Dad led me to the trolley, shielding me with an umbrella.

We pulled up in front of the church. I had a last minute moment of panic - What if the buses never arrived to bring the guests from their hotels to the church? What if no one was in the church? My uncle hopped onto the bus and, without knowing my fear, said "The church is full." I will never forget that moment. I got chills when he said that and still do when I remember it. Everyone was there, everything was ready.
I honestly don't remember walking down the aisle. The service was beautiful, the priest was upbeat and comforting and emotional and exactly how we hoped he would be. Tim cried during his vows. I smiled throughout. I have never smiled so much in my life. Our Grandmothers brought up the gifts together, a memory I will cherish forever, that they were still both physically able to do so, and to do it together.
We had a receiving aisle after the ceremony at the church, during which we hugged and kissed so many people who are so important to us - friends and family who had come from both near and far. I vaguely remember the church coordinator trying to get us to leave but we were not leaving until we had greeted each person and taken our pictures. Our best man, Emil, firmly told her this so we did not have to. Thanks Emil :)

We boarded the trolley as man and wife, again led by umbrellas. The wedding party drank champagne as we drove through the fog and rain to the reception. The beautiful scenery that had influenced why we chose that location for our wedding reception location did not matter because no one was about to enjoy it or see it! The outdoor cocktail hour was abandoned for an indoor cocktail hour. We skipped our pictures to join cocktail hour with our guests. They cheered when we entered the tent. A bird flew in and out and people laughed. There was so much joy in the tent that day, the rain really continued not to bother me. The rain broke and we were able to take some outside pictures.

We were announced as Mr and Mrs Tim Doody and danced our first dance to "Babylon". We laughed and cried through the most amazing speeches - by both Emil and my Godfather and Uncle, Rich. We ate dinner, we drank wine, we danced. We cut the cake. And then we danced some more. And some more! I danced with my Dad to "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder, a song he chose when I was born and a wedding seemed a million years away. Tim danced with his mom to "The Rainbow Connection," sung by Kermit the Frog. I surprised Tim with a coffee/cappuchino service after dinner. We surprised our parents with a dance to "Through the Years" dedicated to them. We surprised our Baltimore friends with "Thank God I'm a Country boy," dedicated to them. We circled up and sang along to "America" by Neil Diamond, a tradition in Tim's family at all parties and celebrations. We danced the Anniversary Dance and hugged my Great Aunt Louise and Great Uncle Louie, who won as the couple married the longest. We watched my grandparents dance together for what I know now was the last time, as my grandmother suffered a stroke shortly after the wedding. We watched my Grandmother dance some more with my uncle, and even more, just sitting in her seat enjoying the music. We danced our last dance to "I can't Smile without You" in the middle of a circle of our guests. The circle embraced us. We embraced each other. We all boarded the buses to downtown Portsmouth to continue the celebration. After several more hours, we walked down an empty street in Portsmouth to the B&B, me in my wedding dress and Tim in his tux. Cars honked and yelled Congratulations. We were married!

The memories of this day 5 years ago will live with me forever. On this milestone anniversary I wanted to relive them. Thanks to all of our family and friends who shared the day with us, as it was one of the best days of our lives and we were so lucky to be surrounded by so much love. Happy Anniversary Tim. I knew what kind of man you were when I married you but you continue to amaze me with your love, honesty, commitment and support. Having a child together has only shown me more of the amazing person you are. I love you so much and here's to many more years together! In his speech, my Uncle Rich said "May you live to dance at your great grand children's wedding" and I hope he is right.