Glass Case of Emotion

Just in case you don't get the Anchorman reference:

I found myself in a similar situation as Mr. Ron Burgundy this past Saturday. 

As in, I was trapped in one large class case of emotion as my sister walked down the aisle. 

I ugly cried. 

Like big fat ugly tears, with a few gulps, and a stifled sob here and there. 

I must say, I was not expecting it. 

But the minute John strummed the first few chords of Skinny Love by Bon Iver, 

I lost it. 

I've decided there were a combination of factors to blame in this scenario. 

1) I got married just under a year ago and can call to mind quite easily just how amazing that moment is and I was so happy that my sister was getting to experience it. 

2) Pure joy. 

3) It was the most beautiful moment I have ever paid witness to. 

Lucky for all of you I had my sister's friend film the event. 

It doesn't even begin to do it justice. But this beauty has to be shared! 

The wind blowing her dress?!

That giant grin?!

Her hair/dress/veil/EVERYTHING. 

Oh my Jesus, it still chokes me up with it's beauty!!

So incredibly blessed with an amazing new brother.

So unbelievably happy and excited for my sister-

The newly minted Mrs. to her Mr.  

Show & Tell Monday

I have already done a post like this for one of Becky's link-ups but since I have some new readers now AND wedding is on the brain due to my sister's big day coming in TWO WEEKS... I thought this would be fun!  Are you married? If so when did you get married, and tell us about your special day. If not? How would you describe your dream wedding?  I am married :) John and I got married November 19, 2011. We had a pretty large wedding (about 185 guests) and were married in my FAVORITE church in my hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. Our reception was held at the golf course that my parents live on. We had an AMAZING band and there were barely any guests NOT dancing. It was pretty much the best party I have ever been to ;)

Show us some wedding pictures. Either yours or of some that you love.

How about the engagement? Tell us your story. If not engaged, what's your dream proposal?

John and I got engaged the Friday before Valentine's day. We were long distance at the time and only saw each other on the weekends. That weekend, he was SUPPOSEDLY staying at his house for an extra night before coming to see me. I was not pleased. I went out to eat with my roommate and when i came back my house was COVERED in roses and candles. John was in our living room and proposed. It was sweet and romantic and perfect :) 

Show us your wedding rings or an engagement photo! If not engaged/married ... show us your "dream" ring.

Tell us why you think marriage doesn't work out for so many? What can we do to make things last

I think a lot of people go into marriage thinking that their love or passion or both will carry them through life and that's all that they need. Marriage is a "next step" instead of a forever commitment. John and I both went into our marriage knowing that there were going to be good and bad times. That every day we were going to have to wake up and CHOOSE to love each other. Patience, understanding, communication... all of those things are so important in a marriage and are easy to overlook or get lazy about. John and I made a vow to each other to never get lazy about our marriage- so far so good :) 
All pictures in this post are by Emily Zoladz

Papa & Ethel 6/30/2012

As I mentioned a couple of times on this here blog, my Papa got married this past weekend in Indianapolis!

My mom has two sisters that also live in Indianapolis, so a trip there always means a lot of family,and a lot of fun.
We arrived to my Aunt Kathy's house Friday evening (Around 8 pm) after a 4.5 hour car ride. Bubba screamed the last 30 minutes so we were REALLY ready to be there.
There was lots of drinking, dancing, talking, and laughing.So much so that I didn't fall asleep until 4 am.NOTHING about that above sentence is okay. 
Saturday we were able to all hang out over coffee and enjoy the morning. 

In our family, we talk with our hands.
Bubba was passed from cousin to sibling, from aunt to uncle, and back again!He loved exploring my Aunt & Uncles house :)

The ceremony was great! My Great Uncle Johnny (my late Grandma's brother) is a priest. He married my Grandma & Papa.He married my parents & all of my aunt and uncles.He even married John & I.Well, he married my Papa to his new wife this past Saturday. It was really special!

Newlyweds.

All of Papa & Ethel's (present) grandchildren!

 

The O'Connor kids and their spouses

Can you spot the Tebow?

Cutest of all was the small reception held at a local reception hall.This little shindig was complete with cute old couples swing dancing.Yes, I'm serious.

First dance.

Toasts & Cake cutting.

Did I mention the open bar?

Aren't my cousins cute?!I cannot believe Miss Colleen (far right) is going to COLLEGE in the fall!

Those hip seniors, Papa & Ethel, hired a DJ.

And we dance.

Even Bubba.

All those classic wedding songs?

Cha Cha Slide, Shout, Cupid Shuffle?! Yeah, we requested them all!

I'm pretty sure it was the liveliest wedding reception any 78 year old has ever had. 

Afterwards (the reception was from 4-7...) 

We had pizza at my Aunt Reenee's.

I was so dead tired I thought I could cry. 

But just hanging out all together was wonderful.

Isn't that sign my cousins made my Aunt ADORABLE?!

On Sunday we had a brunch, complete with family mass said by Uncle Johnny. 

We all said our goodbyes and headed home.

It wasn't a sad goodbye - because we will all be together again soon...

SEPTEMBER to be exact. 

Man, oh man, do I LOVE weddings :)

Friday's Letters

Dear Readers, Remember when I asked you to help me choose an outfit for my Papa's wedding?! The majority voted for the green dress. Well, when I went to buy the shoes they were SOLD OUT. I felt like the shoes made the outfit. I started working with Sarah for alternative options, and, well... I went AGAINST the majority vote and chose the white/silver dress. I know I was scolded for considering wearing GASP white to a wedding. But the majority of the dress ISN'T white and since the bride is in her late 70's, I was giving the green light to wear the white. We styled it differently than the original idea and I am pretty excited about my coral pumps/mint accessories :)

Dear Papa, I can't believe you are getting married this weekend! It feels a little strange since I have never met your soon-to-be wife, but everyone tells me Ethel is really nice. I am excited to be able to celebrate with you!Dear O'Connor Cousiesss, Cannot wait to get our Irish on all weekend long. Seriously, our family has the BEST time when we all get together and I know that this weekend will NOT disappoint! Can't wait for some MAAAAAJOR cousin love!Dear Indianapolis, I do not appreciate your HOT hot forecast for this weekend. I love you and I love to visit you, but I do not love 100 degree temps. No bueno. Dear Bubba, I hope you have not grown out of your phenomenal car travelling skills. It's been a couple of months since our D.C. trip- but I am thinking if you can handle 10 hours in the car you can handle 5 hours... right?! 

O'Connor cousins at the last family wedding.. which was John & I's. Excited for this weekend?! Understatement of the century.
Happy Weekend!!

Friday's Letters: Fashion Edition

Dear Papa, I cannot believe you are getting married in 3 WEEKS! I am happy that you found Ethel! I cannot wait to mee her! It seems like much shorter than 3.5 years since Grandma has been gone, and even though I miss her A LOT, I am happy that you will have someone to share your life with again!

Dear Closet, Why are you full of dresses and making my husband adamant about me wearing one of them to Papa's wedding instead of getting a new one?!


Dear Dresses, I have no clue how to accessorize you in order to make you cute/fashion forward.


Dear Sarah, Thanks for being my "go-to" fashionista friend and coming up with TWO amazing looks from dresses I already have!! A $40 budget for accessories and shoes and you nailed it!!

Dear Readers, I cannot choose between these two fantastic looks!! Please leave me a comment telling me which you vote for!! Could you also pay a visit to Sarah's BRAND NEW fashion blog?!

Show her some love, cause you're awesome like that :)

**Sidenote on the second look. Please do not question my taste level by considering wearing WHITE to a wedding (gasp). The couple getting married is 78, have been happily married previously, and are in no ways "blushing". The white rule is kind of null in this sense and the skirt of the dress is a DARKER silver than it appears in the picture, I promise!

Aren't they both AMAZING?! Girlfriend's got talent...

Can't wait to see what you choose!! 

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!