I was nervous about my nephew being late to the temple since he was going to be Levi's escort. Slim texted me to tell me that he was already there while we were about 8 minutes away. That made me even more anxious. I was doing my very best to be calm. Levi just wanted to make sure we got there on time but I knew that since it was a Thursday, it wouldn't be busy at the temple. PLUS, it's not like they could start without us.
We pulled into the parking lot and found a great parking spot. Close to the entrance and close to the front of the temple where we would be taking a lot of photos afterwards. As we started to walk away from the truck, I wanted to take a photo of us.
I wanted to send a photo to my parents so they could feel like they were included in every step. I was excited and was also trying to take in every single moment of the day. It was quiet on the temple grounds, barely anybody in sight. MAYBE there were 2 other people on the grounds. It was quiet and peaceful, unlike the usual hustle and bustle of a Saturday. This was another reason why I'd always wanted to be married/sealed on a Thursday.
We walked in and there was my nephew and his wife. My nephew's wife didn't have her temple recommend w/ her, so she could only hug us at the reception desk and had to wait for us during the ceremony.
The temple seemed different that day. I felt like I was looking at it through new eyes. I went into rooms that I had only been in once or twice before. We first walked into the waiting room and my old roommate, Sestra, was there. I gave her a huge hug and I got choked up hugging her. I haven't seen Sestra in about 7 years, and we were roommates over 12 years ago. Sestra was the best roommates I could have ever had (upon moving out for the first time). She is kind, sincere and genuinely goodhearted! I think I squeezed her so tight because she I was over the moon to have her here, in person, celebrating this beautiful experience. Also because I never knew if I would ever get to this point in my life; being married & sealed. I wish I could have spent all afternoon just catching up with her.
Reed was next to Sestra and she would be my escort for the day. Unfortunately, my sister's recommend also expired without realizing it til that day, so I needed someone I was close to; Reed. I love Reed just as much as I love my sister. I've known Reed since the day I returned home from my mission I love her children and couldn't be more grateful to consider her family. More and more of our guests were showing up, Auntie Sue, Mike & Julie, Buzz...all our dear loved ones. My heart could just burst at the seams.
We needed to go over paperwork stuff, so they took us to a side room. I could see more of our guests walking in and I just wanted to greet them all! We were sitting in a room about 20 feet away just watching them all. They were all there for us. I had to fight back the tears many, MANY times.
We went over paperwork stuff, and then the temple president called us into his office. My heart just wanted explode! I wanted to cry because this was all becoming a reality. He explained what was going to take place and my heart was full of love for the man next to me. He learned about this gospel and joined this religion so that we could be a forever family and it was all coming together. I wanted to just slow down a bit, and sit there on that couch a bit longer because I wanted to take it all in. Plus it was so dang hot and I was tired of being a hot sweaty mess!
We went back to the waiting room and more guests had arrived. Our missionaries (technically Levi's missionaries), Jordan & Travis came all the way from Idaho. I wanted to just cry. I love these two return missionaries. We were then ushered to go upstairs to change. Slim walked over w/ Levi to rent some clothes and I had my brand new temple dress in my bag. We headed up the stairs and over to the bridal room.
I hadn't been in the bridal room since I was endowed 15 years ago. It was nice to be back. It was just as beautiful as I remember and today I was to be the bride. I was sad that my sister wasn't there with me, but I was grateful for Reed. Can I just say that I LOVE my dress?!?! It is so comfy and soft and ooooooh so pretty! I got all dressed and I felt so beautiful. This was it. I was going to be sealed, to my sweetheart, for time and all eternity. We walked up the stairs together and everything seemed to look different. It wasn't the temple I had known all my life (since I was 12). It just felt different that day. Good different, but almost foreign. I don't know why, but I was alright.
There were beautiful parts of the ceremony that are seared in my heart, forever.
We were able to sit in the Celestial Room for a tiny bit, which gave me time to teach my first name to the temple sealer. Of all the things I wanted that day, I wanted someone who could pronounce my name. After about 10 minutes of talking with him, it was time. I was friggin' hot and sweaty, so was my poor Levi. It was just so dang hot and humid that day!!! Wearing layers upon layers of clothes doesn't help a situation. Then it was time.
I tried to remember every single word spoken in the ceremony. Although I can't discuss it all, I remember how I felt. My sweetheart was going to be mine, forever. I wanted to cry. I was happy and over the moon about it. I wished with all my heart that my parents could have been there with us. I wish my sister was sitting by me. I wished my Kuku & Tutu could have had front row seats for it all. But that's ok, the most important thing was that we were being sealed for time, and all eternity.
It was the most exquisite and most serene ceremony I had ever been a part of.
Afterwards we were able to hug everyone that came. I absolutely LOVED that part! I loved embracing everyone who came. I wish I could have had at least 5 minutes with each person because they all meant so much to me, and to us.
After we hugged everyone, we were talking with our witnesses, Jordan & Travis. I expressed to them, with all the love in my heart, how truly grateful I was for their missions. I will forever be grateful for their missionary service because they helped give me eternity with my sweetheart. Their eyes were wet and there was just so much love in that sealing room. My heart was full.
And just like that, it was over. It happened so quickly. I wish I took a moment longer to really look at everyone in our company that day. I know I didn't because I was already so close to crying so many, MANY times and I was trying hard NOT to be a bawling, bumbling mess that day. As for our actual wedding day, 3 years prior, I was a mess. I was crying from the second I walked down the aisle to the second I walked out of there. I was a nervous, anxious mess. I promised Levi that I would do better this time around and I think I did him proud. Nonetheless, thank heavens for water-proof mascara!
Wow, it was over in about 20 minutes. Something so lovely, and grand and just awesome was over before I knew it. My heart wanted to just stay in the sealing room. Eternity was given to us and I just wanted to relish in the wonder of it all.
My beautiful, selfless best friend of a husband was and is mine for eternity. My cup runneth o'er.
