Scenes from the Weekend...

We had a fantastic anniversary weekend celebrating year one.  B & I took a 'stay-cation' here in town and enjoyed a day at the Hotel San Jose on South Congress.  

It was really fun to feel like we were on a true getaway.  We walked by a few shops up and down SoCo and then enjoyed the pool and patio with a few adult beverages while we chatted, soaked up the rays and caught up on some reading.    Yum sangria.   

That evening we dressed up a bit and headed to Vespaio for some delicious Italian food.  Mmmmm....rich and savory goodness.  My favorite part of our time together was recapping our year and talking about what we have learned, what areas we are hoping to grow in this year and our favorite memories of our wedding and the past year.  I am so grateful for that conversation.

We came back to our very simplistic, modern, chic room to enjoy some of our wedding cake to wind down our evening.  We didn't get a cake topper since we were living in AZ at the time, so we ordered the same yummy tiramisu cake from our wedding day baker.  It. was. so. good.

The next morning we woke up and had coffee, cinnamon rolls and breakfast tacos at Jo's, right next door.  We headed out for a walk around Town Lake.  We kept enjoying the beautiful day by sitting pool side, coffee in hand, and just talking.  It was lovely.

We had to check out around lunch time and headed back home away from our stay-cation bliss.  Back to reality.  I think I'd like to make this a tradition :)

things i've learned.

we certainly don't have it all figured out, but i've sure learned a lot about me, about B and about us this year. i am loving the painfully worth-it sanctifying process of marriage.  praise HIM for creating it.  here's what i am learning.....

my resistance in receiving grace.

how selfish i can be. 

how my recharge time and alone time feels fuller with B around.

sticking to a budget is really a huge accomplishment.

adopting each other's hobbies can be just as fun as doing my own.

spending time solo and with girlfriends and finding that balance can be challenging, yet so important.

i married a patient, servant-hearted man. 

i feel safe in the confines of the intimacy of our marriage. 

i truly am married to my very best friend.

we are truly blessed in the blending of two families.

looking back and reflecting on where we have been is such a good discipline and shows God's providence. 

trust is vital.

teamwork is essential.

i like control.  it's an idol in my heart that i want to surrender but continue to stumble over again and again.

having a sous chef is much more fun when making dinner.  a good-lookin dish washer doesn't hurt either. 

a year full of change can be unifying instead of devisive

checking in on where we are "at" regularly is a great practice to stay connected and ensure we aren't skimming over important feelings or concerns.

leaving friends and family to move to a new city is much easier with 2 than all by yourself. 

sometimes you just need to get away.

a date night out, sitting across the table from one another is so much better for us than staying in.

this takes work.  and we're up for the challenge.

we must absoultely love God first before we can truly love one another.

one.

one year ago....

two became one.

The man said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:23-24

Wedding Rewind: The Big Day (Part III: The Reception)

After walking down the aisle, with our family and friends beaming back at us, we headed out of sight and had a couple of moments alone before our wedding party and photographer caught up with us.  It was a sweet time to just take it in, see the new rings on our hands and just kiss and hug in our near unbelief and overwhelming joy.  Our loving wedding party circled around us and cheered for us.  We did it! We were actually and officially married! Ecstatic. 

Before we headed inside we spent a little while with the insanely talented Kathryn Kruger to for some bride and groom shots on our own.  We were glad we had a warm up with our engagement photo shoot in Arizona, to get a little bit more comfortable behind the camera.  It was hard not to just hug and kiss and do nothing else just because we were so so excited.  She captured some great emotions that seemed to be just naturally pouring out.  I loved the backdrop the beautiful wildflower laden field and the stone tower, what a gorgeous, natural setting! The beautiful photos now are hung all over our house and are perfect reminders of our special day.  Memories. 

We sealed the deal with the signing of our marriage certificate with Pastor Heath.  Our parents watched us with Lemon Kiss Martinis in hand.  I loved that they were all 4 standing there watching us make it official.  We hugged and embraced them as they shared in our joy.  I think we were also just all relieved to have made it through the ceremony without a drop of rain.  We were all breathing a little easier at this point! Release. 

I have to be honest and say that my least favorite part of my wedding day was taking the obligatory portraits. (I'm a realist, as you probably know by now).  I decided I wanted to go through with it because it was so important to me to have a few family shots but it was like herding cats to get everyone in line.  Those Lossmans were ready to get to the party!  Isn't it like that at every wedding though?   We were all happy to be done with the family and group shots and Blake and I got a few last pictures as the sun was setting.  In between shots my trusty bridesmaids and M-O-H bustled my dress, changed out my accessories and helped me put in a new veil and flowers in my hair.  Everything was happening so fast! Everyone tells you it will, but I didn't really believe them.  I thought I would be able to soak in each moment and just take the evening at a relaxing, enjoyable, slow pace.  Before we knew it, we were lining up to go inside to start the party!  Celebrate!

Our band announced us after our wedding party had be introduced and we then made our way to the dance floor for our first dance  We danced to Dave Barnes', "I Have and I Always Will."  I remember thinking that everyone was around us and everyone was watching and being somewhat overwhelmed by that kind of attention.  My sweet Blake, without saying anything at all, reminded me it really was our moment to have with each other.  The early signs of his incredible leadership in our relationship.  We did a few spins and a few small dips but mostly smiled at each other, kissed and took it all in.  I was dancing with my husband.  Unbelievable.

Darling, we're both scared

But where love is, fear won't tread

All of these friends here agree

We're right where we should be

Underneath all your white

My Lady, My Love, My Bride

In your darkest hours

Will I love you still

I have and I always will

I guess it's because I just do

Following heaven's clues

This is a big mystery

How I found, you found me

And you are changing now

Your part of me somehow

And I will never be alone

In your darkest hours

Well I love you still

I have and I always will

I have and I always will

My parents welcomed all of our guests with a few extremely kind and thoughtful words. With my mom by his side, my dad blessed us both with his generous sentiments and proud smile.  With my dad always being a crier in the past, I thought that there was no way he would be able to get through his speech.  He did wonderfully and his kinds words will stick with me and Blake for a long time.  They certainly threw an amazing party.  I can't say thank you enough to them for all they did to make our day incredible down to every small detail! Grateful.

Because of drizzle all day long, we decided to go with the rain backup plan for seating.  Unfortunately this meant that all of our guests were not seated together as planned, but they were spread out in the gallery and also in the library for dinner. We had a plate brought to us full of our yummy dinners, we quickly ate and then said started around the rooms to say hello to our guests.  Food was delicious!  I was so pleased with how great it turned out.  I'd highly recommend Circle C Catering for both the taste and value of the food.  I was too excited to eat very much, but it sure was tasty.  With the band starting to play in the background, it was so fun to float around the rooms and see everyone.  I loved catching up with each guest, getting hugs and feeling so so loved by each of them.  I showed off my new wedding band, took pictures with our guests and thanked them for so generously coming to celebrate us.  It was so fun to see co-workers, college friends, high school friends, family friends and family from near and far.  I still can't believe how many people would travel to Austin to celebrate with us! Appreciative. 

We nearly missed the toasts from our Best Man & Maid of honor since we were in the Library visiting with guests. The band had introduced them, but there was no bride and groom in sight! Paul welcomed me into the family and gave Blake a bit of a tease in the process, like any big brother should. We were honored to have him raise his glass to us.  McKenna gave an always-so-eloquent yet witty speech with a Sugar Plum Fairy theme. So fitting for me and my dancer past and our sisterly history of (extremely) lengthy dance/fashion/theatre shows when we were kids.  Not sure I will be able to give one like she did when that day comes,  she did an incredible job!  Maybe one of the best MOH speeches I've ever heard!  Overflowing. 

It was then my turn to dance with my dad to John Mayer's "Daughters".  I let Dad pick the song and it was a great choice. We had so much fun dancing.  It felt light and not too sappy.  We laughed and reflected about the wonderful night we were having so far and how everything had fallen into place.  He had really been such a great rock for us during the whole planning process and it was fun to celebrate that moment with him. Blake danced with his mom to "Forever Young."  A sweet moment with the two of them.  Blake is so close to his mom and I'm sure it wasn't easy for her watching her baby boy "fly coup."  Sentimental. 

We were on board for most of the traditional traditions like a bouquet toss and garter toss.  I wasn't much of a bouquet tosser though.  I threw my flowers straight up in the air and they came down right behind me.  I think I was afraid to throw it too hard and hit something or someone!  My sweet friend Catherine and my cousin Sarah duked it out for the bouquet.  Sarah took the win, ironically Catherine got married next.  :) The Garter toss was hilarious.  My dad decided it would be funny if he pulled up a chair to watch Blake take my garter off.  I think Blake was sweating having him sit there and eye him.  Hey it was legal now! Blake got to pull of not one, but two garters!  One was the garter that my mom made me from a part of her wedding dress and the other one was a surprise Aggie garter just for B.  After the big toss our friend Steve caught the garter and paraded victoriously around with his new accessories.    Merriment. 

We cut our cake with a little bit of style.  We didn't really want to start our new marriage with the slamming cake in each others faces but playfully fed each other the very yummy cake.  I loved how the cakes turned out.  Our tiramisu wedding cake was almost to pretty to cut into!  Blake's groom's cake was in the shape of Camelback Mountain with us (as hikers) up on top.  The chocolate hazelnut flavor was pretty rich and delicious as well!  Sweet. 

We danced hard. Really hard.  Sweating and feet throbbing hard.  The band was phenomenal and people stayed on the dance floor all evening long!  Mac did a great job finding this band from another wedding she had been to.  We didn't even hear them live before we hired them.  They were awesome! I loved dancing with the my bridesmaids and all of the girls crowded around me.  I spent a good part of the night dancing with my groom too.  I loved dancing with cousins, the Taylor girls, Aunts and Uncles.  We both had a fabulous time floating around the room with all of our guests.  "We Are Family" got everyone up forming a family circle.  This tends to be a tradition at all of our family weddings.  We even got to witness what we could call a "lap dance" by my Grandma.  It was an awesome moment with grandma sitting on my grandpa's lap in his wheelchair while we spun her around with the whole family surrounding them. I was just so grateful to have so many grandparents there!  I think everyone was having a fantastic time!  The amount of people and sweaty bodies on the dance floor seemed like evidence of that! Loving every moment. 

We ended the the night dancing to "Let's Get it On" as our last song.  Yes, I realize, not the most traditional choice of last songs.  Originally we had planned for this to be our exit as we ran to the get away car.  It turned out to be a hilarious and memorable ending to our evening.  All of our friends and family were circled up around us.  It might have been a little TMI for some our our guests, but we just laughed and winked at each other.  Red in the face. 

Paul announced the Rudy's breakfast tacos being served outside as our guests lined up to wish us goodbye.  I couldn't believe how many people stayed late to send us off.  Ruth made beautiful yellow, white and blue streamers for everyone to wave as we headed to the car.  We climbed in and waved goodbye as we headed off to our evening at the Driskel downtown.  It still hadn't all set in that this was reality! Even more, I couldn't believe it was all over! Incredible. 

That's the end of our wedding story.  I'd like to think it ends, "and they lived happily ever after".....

One year later we are still living happily ever after and working hard at it.  That said, we are learning a lot, loving a lot and asking for grace and forgiveness when we fall short.   Keep reading next week to hear all about it.  :)

If you want to catch up you can start by reading about:

....the week before

....the rehearsal

....the rehearsal dinner

....getting ready

....and the ceremony. 

Thanks for reading!

Wedding Rewind: The Big Day (Part II: The Ceremony)

I walked up the stairs and followed in line behind a beautiful line of bridesmaids in their yellow and blue.  I really had no idea it was already time to start until I was putting on my last layer of lip gloss and having my train carried up the stairs.  Our wedding coordinator was no where in sight until we met her upstairs, but that's a whole other story.  I heard the string quartet playing and the girls walked out one by one.  I had butterflies in my stomach.  I felt like I was on the edge of the high dive, about to jump off.  So so excited!  I couldn't wait to see Blake. Giddy. 

I peeked out from the main building and recognized all of the faces that had come near and (mostly) far to support us and watch us make the biggest commitment of our lives.  It was truly humbling to see that many people there on our behalf.  Grateful.

My most adorable flower girls and ring bearer took off down the aisle.  They overshot the center aisle and my cousin Mindy went chasing after them.  It was the perfect comic relief I needed, just in that moment, to break the tension and nerves that I was feeling.  God has a wonderful sense of humor, with perfect timing!  Plus one of my favorite pictures was captured with my dad in that moment!  :)  Release. 

It was my turn.  I then began walking down the aisle arm and arm with my dad.  I felt emotions coming on but I really tried to hold them back in order to experience and take it all in.   I made eye contact with a couple people here and there, but then I saw my groom standing at the end of the aisle waiting for me.  Seeing his face gave me all the peace in the world.  A sense of relief flooded in.  I was then again reminded what all this preparation, decoration, and gathering was all for.  There was deep purpose and it was right in front of me.  Reality. 

My mom joined us at the front of the aisle.  It was really perfect having her there by my side, just as much as it was having my dad there with me.  She has always been my champion and my dear friend.  I wouldn't have had it any other way then having both of my parents stand up with me and give me away.   Heath welcomed the crowd and then prayed over the next 45 or so minutes, head bowed with my parents on either side of me.  It was time for my dad to give me away.  I couldn't believe it that he made it all the way down the aisle without any tears.  He proudly said, "Her mother and I."  Bittersweet. 

I made it up the steps without tripping (phew!) and stood face to face with Blake.  He literally did not take his eyes off of me the entire time.  They were glued on to me - it was pretty magical.  At that moment, the sun peaked itself out of the clouds and shone on our faces.  I couldn't even believe it.  It felt like a made-for-the-movies moment.  I laughed and smiled with a sigh of relief.  I think the entire group of guests just relaxed as the sun came out.  Surreal. 

We had written our vows and had worked hard to capture the extent of the commitment we were making to one another in the words we recited in front of our dear friends and family.  Heath guided us through the ceremony, putting God as the center of the evening, giving Him the honor and praise.  Our vows were pretty lengthy too, at one point I stumbled over a few words, getting tongue tied as I said them out loud.  Blake never flinched, nor did he take his eyes off me the entire time.  Committed. 

With this ring I give myself to you. All that I am, all that I hope to be. I will lovingly commit myself to you. To love you for who you are. I will love you as Jesus Christ loves the church and gave Himself up for her. I will love you as I love my own body. I will love you until my death. I will honor you as a joint heir of the Grace of God all my life.

Liz sang 'How Great is Our God' as a true worship to Him.  It's impossible to think about not having Him as the center of the day.  He deserves all of the credit and worship for what He has done in our lives and the creative, patient way he crafted us into who we are to make us right for one another.  He is so Great.  His plan is bigger and greater than we can grasp.  Our best response is to simply worship and honor him with our voices.  Humbled. 

While Liz continued to lead our guests, Blake and I had communion on our own.  It was such a special thing to enjoy our first meal together as husband and wife as the sanctifying meal that Christ provides for us in communion.  It was a sacred time for us be alone and step away from the crowd that was watching us and have a moment of our own with our God.  This was the only time that I showed outward emotion throughout the whole ceremony.  I remember Blake and I both praying for us as a newly married couple, for our new journey and adventure, for our roles as husband as wife, for our future children and merging of two families.  The journey was just starting here today.  Makes me so excited to see what will unfold for our lives together.  Honored. 

We were finally announced us as husband and wife, the moment we had been waiting for! We practiced our kiss so many times, I think it was pretty perfect. :)  It sounded so crazy to hear my name next to Blake's name officially as Mrs. Parrish.  That was for sure going to take some getting used to after being a Lossman my whole life!  Something in me decided to give Blake another kiss on the cheek as we turned to face the crowd.  It was sort of an awkward fumble, but a memorable and personal moment as well.  Thrilled!

It was an overwhelming moment looking out at all of our friends and family and completely feeling struck with awe and joy.  All of their faces radiated that back to us completely.  We paused at the top of the steps and took it in before we nearly skipped back down the aisle full of excitement! Joyful.

To be continued....

If you want to catch up you can start by reading about

....the week before

....the rehearsal

....the rehearsal dinner

....and getting ready.

Anniversary Week

I cannot even believe that it's already been a year since B and I tied the knot!  It truly feels like our wedding was just a few weeks or months ago.  To countdown to the 16th, I thought I would post a few posts reflecting on our wedding week, rehearsal and wedding day.  I started this concept of 'Wedding Rewind' SEVERAL months ago and never got around to finishing it.  Now feels like the perfect time. 

If you want to catch up you can start by reading about

....the week before

....the rehearsal

....and the rehearsal dinner. 

So sorry to leave you hanging so many months ago!

Stay tuned this week for more posts about our wedding day and all of the thoughts, feelings and emotions leading up to it!  I promise, I'm going to finish telling you this story.  

And many, many, many more years full of them!