This weekend I drove up to Salt Lake to celebrate my cousin Otto's wedding. I had a great time being with cousins and my little brother, Tanner. I, unfortunately, was not able to see the actual ceremony, but the luncheon was quite tasty and the reception superb. Let me just say, you can't go wrong with chocolate fondue.
Here are some snap shots from the event:
Otto & Emily
Dear cousin Otto. I can't remember how many times I've called or Facebook messaged Otto seeking advice on resume and interviewing tips. This guy is a genius.
All my single ladies :-) Love these girls.
My cousins are beautiful people. Holy cow...I'm so totally and completely jealous :-)
I think one of my favorite parts about this weekend was the chance to see my little brother, Tanner. He's leaving on his mission April 28th for Verecruz, Mexico. I can't believe he's that old!Overall, I thought the whole event was very well put together. The colors looked vibrant, the people were happy, and the food was delicious, to say the least. I was attracted to the small crowd, the quaintness of it all. My brother and I discussed how both he and I think we will prefer smaller receptions. And when considering the fact that our family is just a little...(what's the right word) crazy, a small family-exclusive reception might be the best for humanity's sake. Those who know my dad will understand what I'm referring to.
One of my other favorite parts of the evening was watching Otto and Emily (the bride and groom) take their first dance. Just in observing them you could sense the joy of the event. As they twirled an step-towed to "At the Beginning" Otto was singing the lyrics to a very happy, beaming bride. The majesty of the moment couldn't be broken, not even by a parade of little kids running through the dance floor.
But such joy didn't come without patience and enduring on both Otto and Emily's side of their love story. Otto and Emily have led incredible lives on an individual basis up to this point. Both graduated from universities, pursued careers and continued to serve the people they loved despite the fact that their fate didn't resemble that of their family friends (marriage soon after high school). I don't know the specifics of their individual journeys, but it sure gives hope to me to know that we all have individual callings to fulfill in this life. And the blessings will come at the right time. Especially the blessing of marriage. How sweet it must be to know when you've found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, the person God wants you to spend the rest of your life with.
I'm suddenly reminded of how fun life really can be, if we let it be that way. I'm internalizing the fact that happiness doesn't come through comparisons, and joy doesn't sprout from desperation. I get gloomy sometimes when I think about how "supposedly" far behind I am from the friends I grew up with (I know, I'm only 20 [almost 21]....so young! But my friends from back home are already having babies!!!), but then I have to remember that I'm just....different. My journey has a separate plot from theirs. I've been blessed with the opportunity to pursue my education at my own pace, and in just a few months, I'll have to step into the real world and taste of the professional life--which will be an adventure all on its own. I feel as though my mind has been tainted in some ways by the single adult mindset. You know, that sense of desperation so many people feel regarding their future eternal companion. I'm embarrassed to admit that I did get caught up in the whirlwind of it all. But I'm learning. I know that someday I'll get to take my first dance just as Otto and Emily did. And all the years of wanting and dating and breaking up and being hopeful (again...I know! I'm still sooo young!) will make that moment on the dance floor priceless. Imagining the future scares me to a point of paralysis when I over analyze it all, but I think if I consistently remind myself that "life is a road and I wanna keep goin'...." I'll be OK.
Thanks to Otto and Emily, I suddenly want to make new goals. Seek new ambitions I never thought I could. The future is bright! So, so bright. I can't wait.
Happy Saturday!
Oh...and just for kicks and giggles....
One of my other favorite parts of the evening was watching Otto and Emily (the bride and groom) take their first dance. Just in observing them you could sense the joy of the event. As they twirled an step-towed to "At the Beginning" Otto was singing the lyrics to a very happy, beaming bride. The majesty of the moment couldn't be broken, not even by a parade of little kids running through the dance floor.
But such joy didn't come without patience and enduring on both Otto and Emily's side of their love story. Otto and Emily have led incredible lives on an individual basis up to this point. Both graduated from universities, pursued careers and continued to serve the people they loved despite the fact that their fate didn't resemble that of their family friends (marriage soon after high school). I don't know the specifics of their individual journeys, but it sure gives hope to me to know that we all have individual callings to fulfill in this life. And the blessings will come at the right time. Especially the blessing of marriage. How sweet it must be to know when you've found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, the person God wants you to spend the rest of your life with.
I'm suddenly reminded of how fun life really can be, if we let it be that way. I'm internalizing the fact that happiness doesn't come through comparisons, and joy doesn't sprout from desperation. I get gloomy sometimes when I think about how "supposedly" far behind I am from the friends I grew up with (I know, I'm only 20 [almost 21]....so young! But my friends from back home are already having babies!!!), but then I have to remember that I'm just....different. My journey has a separate plot from theirs. I've been blessed with the opportunity to pursue my education at my own pace, and in just a few months, I'll have to step into the real world and taste of the professional life--which will be an adventure all on its own. I feel as though my mind has been tainted in some ways by the single adult mindset. You know, that sense of desperation so many people feel regarding their future eternal companion. I'm embarrassed to admit that I did get caught up in the whirlwind of it all. But I'm learning. I know that someday I'll get to take my first dance just as Otto and Emily did. And all the years of wanting and dating and breaking up and being hopeful (again...I know! I'm still sooo young!) will make that moment on the dance floor priceless. Imagining the future scares me to a point of paralysis when I over analyze it all, but I think if I consistently remind myself that "life is a road and I wanna keep goin'...." I'll be OK.
Thanks to Otto and Emily, I suddenly want to make new goals. Seek new ambitions I never thought I could. The future is bright! So, so bright. I can't wait.
Happy Saturday!
Oh...and just for kicks and giggles....
Wow Katie, I just stumbled across this when looking at your post from today... what a gem for me to find! What a beautiful tribute this is, to us and even more importantly to you! Thank you for writing this! I'm glad you've taken the road less traveled like I did... it makes that first dance more amazing than it ever could have been otherwise. I'm excited to watch where your journey leads! You are amazing and your life will be amazing as well! Love you!
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