What a wedding rollercoaster I am on! It has twists and turns, ups and downs, slows and fasts, but this rollercoaster never stops!
I seriously doubt that anyone will check this before the big day Saturday but just in case I thought I'd write another quick post. It's funny how I thought I'd be all organized and prepared and have plenty of time to write a post each week. I laugh at myself for even thinking I'd come close to that. Between moving, church things, traveling, planning, troubleshooting and trying to rest somewhere among all that-not to mention spend quality time with Z-I have barely had a moment to breathe.
We got semi-settled into our new luxury (i.e. brushed silver fixtures, spacious, granite-like countertops, 11 x 14 bedroom, limited cabinet space) apartment and I like it-surprisingly. I was so afraid of getting in and finding out we don't have enough space or could hear our neighbors or had to worry for safety. But I'm finding that if we sell the stuff we don't need, keep our corner unit (which is a blessing even in spite of the traffic), and are friendly to our neighbors-we should have it made. We have everything set up except for decorations and even though the 2nd bedroom FULL of boxes to go through, I really think we'll be happy there. Another youth pastor Z knows lives upstairs with his wife and we are in a GREAT location. Add to that a very nice swimming pool and a great clubhouse for youth parties, and I think we'll be very happy. I just can't wait to get home and 'womanize' it-make it pretty. Then it will be even more like home.
The wedding plans are coming together a little slowly now but well. I flew into NC Saturday morning and what a trip that was. We left Tyler at 3:30am which should have been plenty of time to make it to the DFW airport. However, I didn't anticipate feeling extremely nauseous on the way so we stopped and got breakfast. When we were almost at the airport, I began looking for my flight confirmation so I could know which terminal we needed (DFW has 5) but couldn't find it ANYWHERE. I knew I was flying either United or US Air so we stopped at United at 6:05am (keep in mind you must check in more than 45 minutes in advance) and it was the WRONG ONE. So as I swiped my debit card to check in with US Air at 6:17!!! I was informed that I would need to be booked for the next flight. And so I was booked on the 8:30 direct flight to Charlotte and my bag was processed.
As Z and I took a seat (and I'm bawling because HELLO!?!?!? I have to be in Eden at a bridal shower for myself by 2pm and my flight would not land in Charlotte until 12pm and it's a 2 hour drive to Eden from there) I noticed that my boarding pass had an incorrect name-it showed P. Nacido as the passenger. Now I'm not up to date on all FAA regulations but I was pretty sure I'd never make it through security without having a boarding pass to match my driver's license. So Z went back to the counter to inquire about it. As he returned, he motioned for me to come. I was very confused but he explained that the desk rep told him the 8:30 flight was having maintenance issues and so he was letting me go on the 7am flight. I didn't understand it but Z just explained that 'God showed me favor'. At 6:31am I got in a security line that weaved itself 4 lines deep and had serious doubts that I would make the flight. But somehow, I was waiting to board at 6:50 and they had just started the boarding process. I had made my flight.
But my luggage did not. I landed in Charlotte 15 minutes late and upon inquiring about my luggage at the US Air desk, discovered that the 8:30 flight had been cancelled-God had surely answered a prayer. For the 2.5 hours of the flight, I contemplated what I would do if my luggage didn't make it. I was wearing gauchos and a t shirt and NO makeup-there was no way I was going to a shower in my honor looking like that. When I arrived, my nightmare was true but I was informed that it was very likely I would receive my bag within the next several hours. Positive about that possibility, we left on our VERY FAST trek to Eden where I stopped in Wal-Mart & Cato to grab the essentials-toothbrush/paste, mascara, blush, a dress, shoes, earrings and a bracelet (an entire outfit which cost me $36.00) and off we went to the shower.
And what a shower it was! I saw faces I hadn't seen in YEARS-former church members, old friends from church & school, and even a former teacher whom I have really grown to respect and admire! It was absolutely a fabulous party-and I didn't even care that I didn't look my 'best'. I got SO many compliments on the dress pictured here (me and some of my FAVORITE friends):
The shower really was a blast! I so enjoyed catching up with old friends and loving on people I miss so much in my life. It really felt like a reunion and honestly, I wish people got married more often so those kinds of reunions could happen more often. The food was YUMMY (all homemade except for the Biscuitville biscuits-which I had been craving) and the fellowship was incomparable. I am sooo blessed to have such loving and caring people in my life-I couldn't be more humbled by their generosity and acts of kindness. Thank you Ginny for being the brain behind such a fun celebration! YOU are the woman! (And sure enough, in the middle of the shower the airline called with news that they would deliver my bag to our house near Hickory...and I sang the Hallelujah Chorus!)
After the shower, we attended the wedding of a childhood church friend that Dad performed. He did a great job and despite the heat, there were lots of laughs and lots of good memories made. And after making a couple stops at my parents' friends houses and a slight delay by one of NC's finest state troopers, we arrived at home around 12:40am. Since I was pretty awake at that point (even though I'd slept maybe 20 minutes in almost 24 hours), I opened several wedding gifts that Mom and Dad had kept for me. That was exciting and so afterwards, I finally crashed. Having to be up at 9am the day after such a trek (and in singing condition by 10) proved a challenge but I survived and was in decent singing voice for my 2 songs. After homemade lunch and a quick nap, Mom and I set off to run wedding errands which we've also done yesterday and today. I finally got some good rest last night and am feeling the best I have all week.
We've hit it pretty hard but have gotten a lot done. So far we've purchased ribbon, picture frames, bridal portraits, sign supplies, gifts, and groceries (to feed the masses).There's still a lot left to do (pick up my dress, finalize programs, wrap gifts, assemble guest book, etc., etc., etc.) but I know that it will all come together. (At least that's what everyone keeps telling me.) Our wedding company starts arriving tomorrow and I'm getting more and more excited. Freak out mode hasn't set in yet although I'm sure it will pretty soon. But in all honesty, I can't wait! A lot of thought, a lot of tears, a lot of laughs and a lot of prayers have gone into the preparation for this special day and I am trusting God to bless our day and our marriage that we may be a portrait of His love for us, directing others to Him with our love.
For all our guests, when you arrive Saturday, just ask the gate guard for a map and watch for the hot pink signs for the Pearce-Parker Wedding. Parking will be available in the east lot next to Mountain Laurel (the hotel) and a shuttle service will be provided to the ceremony location-Rutland Chapel. Afterwards, please join us for the reception in the Holly Ballroom in the newly constructed Johnson Springs conference center. Our special day will be so enhanced by the presence of our friends and family and I cannot wait to share it all with you!
May each of you have a blessed rest of the week and I look forward to seeing you Friday and Saturday!
Blessings,
Bethany
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