And they finally said I Do

The newlyweds - my SIL, Christy, and my new BIL, Matt


Oceanside ceremony - the bridesmaids and junior bridesmaids

Why yes, I would like to wear my hair this way!




My SIL and me

The "old" newlyweds

Well, ya'll, it was quite the crazy weekend. My SIL and her love are now eternally joined, for better or for worse and it really was a beautiful wedding. I took my duties as bridesmaid very seriously - meaning that I had a glass of the cheapest champagne available from the Litchfield Beach Bi-Lo available at all times. I think I drank most of it on my own and amused myself by popping the corks and having the people across the waterway ask me (actually yell at me from their dock) if I was shooting a gun. Because that's what we Southern girls do - shoot guns at wedding receptions in our bridesmaid's dresses. Classy.

This wedding was the first one since my own, a mere 7 months ago - dear Lord, I HAVE to get those thank you notes out. Tacky is my middle name. It was weird to be a married person doing the wedding party thing. Before, when I was a bridesmaid, I stood in awe of the whole spectacle of the dress, the cake, etc. Now, as a bona fide married person, I stand in awe of the vows and the whole covenant before God. Funny how time and experience changes you that way. My eyes met Chad's while their uncle, John, recited the words they were to say to each other. Uncle John also married Chad and me. It was like taking a step back to that day in September when both of our lives changed completely. I look back on the girl that I was that day and laugh a little bit. Oh little did I know that I knew so little!

It was also a weekend of firsts for me - well, just one first, really. I saw a real live alligator - just moseying around, not in a zoo or in captivity. He (she?) was hanging out in the water by the beach house. Now, I am an animal lover and get a little overwhelmed by nature at times and this time was no exception. I completely freaked out when I saw this thing. I thought it was unbelievably cool and was proud to point out the fact that me, myself, and I had spotted Mr. Gator sunning himself. I nicknamed him Bob. I had had a couple of glasses of champagne at this point. Luckily I didn't try and pull a Steve Erwin and catch the dang thing. It may have been a wedding weekend minus a limb.

On a more serious note, please keep SIL and BIL in your prayers as they start their lives together. Also, please keep Angie at Bring the Rain in your prayers, too. I don't know Angie personally, but I have been following her blog over the past year. Her story is amazing.