I know that loved ones from BOTH sides of the veil were in attendance. As I knelt across the altar, and looked in his eyes, I once again knew that I was right where I should be. Jason is an answer to prayers, my own prayers, and those of my loved ones that have wanted me to find happiness. Our crazy, chaotic life is perfect, in all the imperfections.
After the sealing, we went out for pictures with family and friends. The photographer wasn't there. She went to the wrong temple even though Jason had confirmed with her the day before. I forgot to leave my car key with my niece so she could bring my kids to the temple. When my kids and the photographer showed up, everybody else was so cold they didn't want to do many pictures. But it was perfect.
The luncheon was perfect, too. I forgot the video with our love story that we had wanted to play. I requested the DVD player and big TV be set up in our banquet room, and had nothing to play on it.
I got to the church for our reception at about 4:00. The ladies in the ward were wonderful helping to get everything set up, and help me provide the food. I realized I had forgotten to pick up the picture we had printed and matted for people to sign (instead of a guest book). I didn't plan logistics very well, and everybody was asking questions about who was driving whom and what time, and what jobs each person had for the reception. Yeah, it was pure chaos. Perfect chaos.
About 30 minutes before the reception was to begin, the photographer showed up. The girls were still getting their hair done. The photographer didn't get any of the shots I wanted and wouldn't listen to my requests. She took pictures without Karleah in them. The flowers didn't show up. Turned out the flower shop wrote "Saturday the 14th" on their paperwork instead of "Wednesday the 14th" so they didn't even have my flowers. They offered to bring some anyway, and dropped them off without saying a word. They were bright yellow and orange. My colors were turquoise, black, and white. They looked horrible. But it was still perfect.
I danced with my dad, to "I Loved Her First" and Jason danced with his mom to "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love" then Jason and I danced to "All of Me". We forgot most of the dance steps my niece and her boyfriend taught us. But it was perfect. We stared into each others eyes and mouthed the words "love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections." Everything was perfect in its imperfections.We danced and visited with friends and loved ones. The wonderful women of our ward helped with clean up when we left.
There was some confusion when we booked our cruise, and we didn't know where to go for our shuttle services. We didn't get to sit together on our flight. The person that was going to watch the puppy backed out at the last minute. But it was perfect. Perfect because I am sealed to my wonderful husband, and I get to be treated wonderfully.
My kids have more people in their lives to learn from, that love them. I have 5 more kids to love and spend time with. It's chaos, it's crowded, it's hard, and it's perfect.
