A beautiful occasion

March 13, 2011

                A whirlwind.  That might describe this weekend best!  It always seems that the things we are most excited for and anticipate for many months fly by the fastest.  Garett and Beth had a beautiful wedding, and I have a new beautiful cousin!  As predicted, I had a fabulous time with my cousins, mostly on the dance floor with some fabulous tunes!  I’m not sure about Garett and Beth, but I know that I took plenty of those “mental snapshots” and a few of them stand out the most.  To me, they’re most memorable when an emotion is attached to the “picture.”   

At the ceremony, as a bridesmaid, I had a direct look at my cousin, Garett’s face as he said his vows.   For my closest cousin, my brother, to look at my best friend with such love, adoration, and respect, with tears in his own eyes, moved me to tears as well.  I definitely have a snapshot of his handsome face full of love and pure, raw emotion.  When Beth said her vows, since I was standing behind and beside her, I could not see her face, but once again, could see Garett.  I thought how lucky I was to be standing beside such a great friend, while also getting to see my cousin’s reaction to my friend, his new wife.

At the reception, Ronnie and I, actually sitting out one dance, were watching Garett and Beth on the dance floor.  They were inseparable all night, enjoying their guests, the dancing, and the beauty of the occasion.  During this particular song, one which we could tell they both enjoyed, the two of them paused for a half-a-second and gave each other a sweet, blissful kiss.  Ronnie and I, both watching the moment, as if on cue, released an “AWWW!”  I first thought, “Oh darn!  Why didn’t someone catch that on camera?”  But then I turned to Ronnie and said, “THAT was a perfect mental snapshot moment!”  She agreed and I’m glad someone shares that adorable kiss, full of love and happiness “picture” with me!

And, as one of my not-so-sober cousins brought up more than once, “It’s nights like these when I realize just how great our family really is!”  Maybe I’m a little biased, but, Cousin, I agree!  We do have a fabulous family and I’m so excited for Beth to be a part of it!  Welcome to the family, beautiful friend.  Congratulations to the new Bride and Groom!