11.19.2012

One.

On this day one year ago...

I woke up early, before anyone else. It was still dark outside.
I nursed Jack in the quiet silence in my parents living room.

It wasn't long before my mom came padding out of her bedroom,
whispering "goodmorning" and kissing the top of my head.

I felt so calm. I didn't expect to.
I also didn't expect the perfect & peaceful night sleep I had,
and was grateful for the rested feeling that had settled into my bones.

I handed Jack over to his grandma and slipped downstairs for a quick shower.
My sisters came busting into the bathroom mid leg-shave singing loudly,
"We're going to the chapel and we're gonna get marrrrrrrried!"

The day was here.

After many hours at the salon, nibbling on fruit, laughing with all of my favorite girls,
getting beautiful,
I sat as still as possible as my cousin created my dream wedding hair and perfected my lipstick.

I'll never forget the moment my veil was placed carefully on top of my head.
"Holy shit - I'm a bride!" was what ran through my head.
and we all started laughing to stop the tears that threatened to ruin my perfect mascara!
I arrived home with my sister ahead of everyone else.
I took a quiet moment to pump (so glamorous)
& rest for 20 minutes before the rest of the day came cascading down on me.

The early afternoon was a bustle of bridesmaids getting dressed
and anxiety building as my mom took 100 YEARS to get ready/come help me get my dress on.
I. was. ready.
We ended up in the storage room in my parents basement.
That is where we had been hiding the dress & for whatever reason we just stayed there.
It's a hilarious backdrop to one of the most precious moments shared between my mother & I.
I kissed Jack goodbye & snapped a quick picture with my daddy
before boarding the trolly waiting outside of the house.
I was excited, nervous, ready to go!!!
We waited outside of the church, a few family members coming in and out.
I had to ask everyone I saw how John was.
Was he nervous? Calm? Sweating like crazy???
I couldn't wait to see him!
When it was time to go in my stomach was in knots of anticipation.
The smile on my face was a permanent tattoo of bliss.
 
My dad kept taking off for some fresh air and a quick sob,
my aunt happily ushered off each bridesmaid, one by one.
I crouched behind a staircase and listened to the beautiful music serenading the perfection.

It was time.

My daddy took my arm and we made our way to the end of the aisle.

There may have been 150+ people staring at me, but all I saw was John.
The face I had pictured in my dreams.
The dreams I had had of my wedding day for as long as I can remember.
The vows - I will never forget.
I have never been more in a moment,
I have never felt the impact of my words resound so deeply into my being.
Each promise was a brand on my heart,
bonding me to the man I couldn't see one second of my life without.
The rest of the day was truly celebration.
I have never felt more blessed or alive.

One year later these memories are still so vibrant. 
I know that as each year passes they will become more fuzzy, 
less real and more dreamlike. 

I couldn't feel more blessed in my marriage. 
How lucky am I?
We are growing, we are learning, I hope we always will!

Honey, thank you for being there every morning and every night. Thank you for being my constant. I love you more than I did one year ago. Happy anniversary!
Photobucket
Pictures in this post are a combination of the Keck Family Photography/Emily Zoladz

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

You made a beautiful bride. Happy Anniversary!!!

Karla said...

Gosh, your dress was gorgeous!!
Happy One Year! =)

Nikki said...

So gorgeous! Happy Anniversary!

Tara said...

I know I am about to see you in like a half hour but this post brought tears to my eyes! So beautiful! Yay! One year down, many more to go!!

Ashley said...

Oh wow you are gorgeous! I love love love your dress!

Congrats on the anniversary!

I wish you many many more happy years!!

K said...

Happy Anniversary! You were absolutely STUNNING! Love the dress!

Natalie said...

Happy anniversary!

Unknown said...

I almost teared up at your post! Such a great memory and such GORGEOUS pictures!

Neely said...

GORGEOUS pictures! Happy Anniversary!

Nikki said...

Happy Anniversary!

Lauren said...

You were such a beautiful bride! So happy for you. Happy, happy anniversary, love! :)

Unknown said...

Happy anniversary Kay!
You look Beautiful!!!
Love your dress!

Shannon said...

Happy Anniversary! Beautiful pictures!

Ashley said...

Happy Anniversary! Your dress was breathtaking! :)

Kasey said...

awwwe Happy Anniversary girly! these pictures are absolutely beautiful, you were a gorgeous bride :) Happy 1 year! and to many more to come!!

Happy Thanksgiving week :)


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woman in a man's world said...

This made me tear up! Happy anniversary!

Andrea said...

Gorgeous! The whole day, your dress, your description of it, your beautiful smile! What a perfect day!

Dara @ Not In Jersey said...

so beautiful! happy anniversary!

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

Lovely post! Happy anniversary. The photo of you on the trolley is perfect - you can feel your anticipation.

la petite lulu said...

Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! You were a gorgeous bride, the dress is stunning.

Helene said...

how incredibly beautiful!!!! love these pictures, happy anniversary

Megan L. said...

So beautiful! Happy Anniversary!

Allie said...

What a beautiful post!!!! Congrats!!!

Elle Hattan said...

This is so sweet! And what beautiful pictures!

Christi said...

I absolutely LOVE this post!!

Christi said...

I absolutely LOVE this post!!

Katie said...

Gorgeous!!! Happy Anniversary!! :)