The Day of Bliss

With a small voice from somewhere in my soul urging me, "Write it down. Write it while you still remember. Write while the smells are still vivid, the sounds are still clear and the emotions still raw. Write."

I can't imagine not remembering my special day. I can't imagine not loving every detail about that day of bliss. Some how, some way, time has a way of reaching into our memories and fading them until you can only remember certain things. Perhaps it is just the fact that we are constantly making new memories, encountering new phases in our lives that require certain memories to fade just so the new ones can glow.

But for now... my wedding day is a glowing memory, a burning brand that is marked on my heart forever even when it fades.

From the moment I woke up on December 31st, I was enthralled with the anticipation of what the day would bring. One of my best friends and roommate from college, Carolyn, stayed at my tiny apartment with me. We woke up in my bed, face to face. We smiled as I felt a giggle bubbled its way to surface. I was positively giddy even with morning breath, crusty eyes and bed hair.

We rolled out of bed since we had planned to meet up with everyone at the hotel around 8. The night before, despite my grumbling, Carolyn made me pack my bag for the day and for later that night. I am so thankful that she forced me to do it because it made my morning so carefree and fun.

(Kaiula Beach- where we tried in vain to catch some serious sun rays)

All I had to do was pull on shorts and a tank top, brush my teeth and I was out the door.

We slid into my little red car, Sally Jo. The sun was shining through palm trees and the breeze smelled of salty sunshine. We rolled down the windows and roared (Yes- roared, Sally Jo doesn't know the meaning of quiet.) out of my peaceful, calm neighborhood. I reached for the Ipod and search until I found the song I wanted.

Long, long time ago... The words floated out of the speakers. I looked at Carolyn and grinned. She smiled and started singing along. American Pie has been a favorite song of mine because of many things and because I love the fact that I can sing the whole thing by heart. It has a way of pumping me up and just for a moment, I can fit into the hearing world.

As we got nearer to the base, the song ended. I sighed with a smile and glanced at Carolyn. She smiled and reached for the Ipod and press replay and cranked up the volume. Once more, with our hands waving out the window and voices out of tune but loudly singing:

"Bye-bye, Miss American Pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin',
whiskey and rye.
And singin',
"This'll be the day that I die.
this'll be the day that I die."

I love that she wanted to replay it again. I loved that she sang with me. I loved that she cranked up the volume. I loved that she was with me on that morning.
I will continue with the rest of the story in another post. It will be long. It will be drawn out. I don't care how long it will take because it is my wedding story... my day of bliss.

My joy is sharing my joys with my best friend, Carolyn.

Going home...

On January 24th, I made a surprise visit home. It is just a quick visit, only 5 days.

Mom and I decided to just keep it between us and surprise everyone.

I landed in Grand Rapids at 9:30 in the morning, I was exhausted from jet lag, traveling all night and getting only 3-4 hours worth of sleep but through my fogginess, I was thrilled to see everyone again.

Mom and Lisa had planned to go to the bridal show in Grand Rapids to scour the area for some sweet wedding deals. Brittany, my cousin, decided to join in on the fun. As they were driving towards Grand Rapids, Mom told Lisa and Brittany that she needed to stop by Sam's Club first and do some other errands. When she pulled off the exit towards the airport, Lisa's suspicions grew. As Mom turned onto the road towards the airport, Lisa finally asked, "Mom, there aren't any businesses on this road except the airport. What are we picking up from the airport? Laura?"

Mom smiled.

When Mom pulled up at the airport, I stepped out into the frigged cold. I couldn't believe that I had already adapted to warm tropical weather so quickly that I forgot about the biting cold of the Midwest. Lisa and Brittany jumped out and gave me a wonderful welcome-back-home hugs.

We went to Sam's club to pick up supplies for the parties that night. One was the 2008 Beckman Christmas party celebrated in January of 2009. Most of the family was in Hawaii celebrating my wedding with me that they decided to postpone the traditional family get-together till everyone was home. The other party was Matthew's party. That day was the same day as Matthew's midwinter dance. He invited everyone over for pictures and they brought their parents. Our house was filled to the brim, I was just surprised not to see the floor fall out from our feet.

After Sam's Club,we went to the bridal show. I am just glad that I am not a bride anymore. Just dealing with the sales people was exhausting. However, it was fun just to go through it again and watch Lisa deal with them all. It was also fun to give Brittany my ring and pretend she was a bride so she can get free stuff.

Finally, we made our way home. My family was to bring the fruit platter. I brought home three fresh yummy pineapple from Hawaii. So I prepared the platter with delish fresh, melt-in-your-mouth-goodness fruits. Lisa and I left to head over to Mormor and Papa's for the Beckman Christmas.

I sent Lisa ahead to grab the camera and start taking pictures as I walked through the door. I wanted her to capture the emotions of my loved one's faces. She only snapped four... but it was enough.

Mitzi, my beloved aunt, gave me the best reaction. She just stood there with her mouth gaping open. Then she smiled and covered her mouth. I think she said "Oh my gosh" and started laughing. She was the first to notice me and to give me a wonderful hug.

Then Mormor and Papa saw me and were just shocked. They couldn't believe their eyes. I was in Kauai with them for two weeks. During that time they had expressed that they really wish that I could come home for the party. When I left them at the airport, they expressed their sorrow that I wasn't able to join the fun festivities. I just gave them a sympathetic pat on the back and fake a sad face, declaring, "Oh me too."

Now with a grin on my face, I approached them. Mormor just stood there shaking her wet fingers at me, saying" You. You. You." I laughed and was enveloped into her arms.

As Papa hugged me, family started pouring into the kitchen. I have to say this is one of my favorite pictures. Just peeking over Papa's shoulder, I saw my beloved cousins' faces. Each one of them priceless.

For the rest of the night, we swamped stories, shared laughter, opened presents and ate a feast of delicious foods. We ended the night with no other pictures. Just warm memories that are stored into the deepest parts of my heart.

My joy is remembering priceless memories.

A brief glimpse...

On New Year's eve, I married my one true love.



It was wonderful...

Intimate...

Beautiful...

Special...



I was surrounded by loved ones. Loved ones who put together a ceremony too marvelous for words. Loved ones who loved on me all day and made me feel like a lovely, precious bride. Loved ones who made me feel so blessed.

So. Very. Blessed.

The whole day was wonderful. From the moment, I woke up till the time I walked away with my man, my husband.

*I will be recounting the moments of that day as soon as I have more pictures.


My joy is marrying my man, my marine, my love.

Engagement

Yes, I am hitched now.
I PROMISE to post about the wedding but first, I need to tell of my engagement story.


Every year on October 31st, I celebrate two things, my birthday and Halloween. This year for my 24th birthday, I was in Hawaii. James had to work all day so I decided just to keep myself busy.

I had been recieving birthday messages from friends and family throughout the day. It brighten my day but it simply was not the same as celebrating and seeing them in person. The only person on the whole island that knew it was my birthday was James.

After texting James once, asking, "Did you forget to tell me something?"

To which he replied, "What? What do you mean? Happy Halloween?"

I decided that I wasn't going to beg. I would just let him tell me when he finally remembered. When I went to pick him up from work, I said, "Hey, why don't we go to the Cheesecake Factory for supper and then meet up with friends after that?"

He made a face like he really did NOT want to do that plan. After a moment, he answered, "Why don't we go to the Cheesecake Factory and then we will see what happens after that?"

Letting his attitude affect me, I shrugged, "Fine. Whatever."

We had to go back to his barrack so he could change clothes. By the time he came back down to the car, I had decided that I was tired and didn't care to go to the Cheesecake Factory anymore. I told him how I was feeling.

"What? No. We ARE going to the Cheesecake Factory." was his huffy reply. By this time, I was thinking that he really has had a long week and was acting strange.

So off to the Cheesecake Factory we went. When we reached the hostess' stand, we were told that it was a 60 to 90 minute wait. James happily exclaimed, "Great!"

Okay, honestly, who in the right frame of mind would be happy about an hour and half wait? The typical responds is a groan and/or ask whoever they are with if they want to wait that long. Right?

By this time, I knew something was up. I decided to just roll with the punches. James suggested that we head behind the Cheesecake Factory to walk on the Waikiki beach. After walking a little ways, I asked if we could just sit and talk. He looked around and said, "No, not here. Let's walk a little bit more."

"How about here?"

"No, not here." And on we would walk. Finally, after glancing over his shoulders, he motioned that we could sit. I noticed that it was in a spot where the lighting was good so I could easily see his face. (Sweet guy.)

We watched as the waves crashed on shore in the dim starlight and streetlight beach. There was a gentle breeze floating from the sea, reaching up and tickling our hair. After soaking in the peaceful setting, we talked of our day. At one point in the conversation, I looked at him and said, "It is really bothering me that you won't say something to me. I know that you know what day today is. And you still acted like you didn't care. That you forgot that it was my birthday."

Swinging his body around and pinning me with a pointed stare, he answered, "I knew it was your birthday. I did not forget it was your birthday. In fact, I have something for you."

He got on one knee, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet black box. Opening the case, he asked,"Happy birthday. Will you be my wife?"

"Are you serious? You are kidding me." was my shocked reply.

He rolled his eyes and asked again, "Laura, I am serious. Now, will you be my bride?"

To which I answered with a choked laugh and a hand to my throat, "Yes. Yes, of course."

Just moments after he popped the quesiton.

After a kiss and hug, we grinned at each other. Then the questions and comments came rolling out of me. "So this is why you were acting so strange all day?? Did you ask my dad? I kind of knew that you were going to ask sometime because Mom kind of let the cat out of the bag. I have got to call my family. No wait, I can't. They are sleeping." And on and on I went. He sweetly answered my questions.

He had planned to act standoffish all day and take me for a walk on a private beach. Then he was going to pretend to see something on the ground, get on one knee and ask. Unbeknowst to me, I kept messing up his plans so he had to improvise.

Of course, he asked my dad. He told me how nervous he was and how the conversation went.

Finally, we went up to the Cheesecake Factory and had a celebration of sorts.

My birthday, Halloween and now, our engagement.

The next day.

My joy is surprises.