the wedding

my favorite part of our wedding happened right before the ceremony and it was completely unplanned. we didn't have attendants, it was just the two of us and my kids. we ordered corsages for our mommies the week before and forgot to pick them up until about 20 minutes before the wedding (eek!). we were disappointed because everyone was already down at the wedding site and we couldn't think of a way to give them to them before the wedding. then I realized that there were three moms (my mom, Brian's mom and his stepmom) and three kids, and that it would be very sweet if the kids could hand the moms a corsage and give them a hug. luckily our minister was flexible and didn't mind the last minute change. the five of us and the minister walked down to the wedding site together and the children walked down to where the mommies were sitting and gave each of them a corsage. it was very touching.

my second favorite part of the wedding was when Casey was handing me Brian's ring. I handed Hannah my flowers and Casey got his ring out of her purse. as she was handing it to me, she dropped it and it rolled under my shoe! we couldn't find it at first and were all trying not to laugh. luckily not many people noticed because she was already really embarrassed about it. but it is on the videotape!

our ceremony only lasted about 15 minutes, which was exactly what we wanted. everything, except for the dropped ring, went perfectly and I still get teary-eyed thinking about it. we wrote our own vows, which made it even more perfect.

his:
I've been in love with you all my life, I just had to grow up and learn a few things before I found you. And now that we are together, I want to grow and and learn everything new with you.

I give you my heart, my soul, my body, my mind and my love. I will never forsake you, take you for granted or put you aside for any reason. I will be the best husband and stepfather that I can and I promise to never stop trying. I will never lose the respect and admiration I have for you and I will never, ever, leave you alone.

You have given me a family, you have given me hope & reason and today I give you everything. I love you and I always will.

mine:
As we stand here on our wedding day, I realize that we already have so many great memories. I will always remember our first date, the first time you said, "I love you.", the day we moved in together, the day you proposed. And I know I will always remember this day and how much I love you at this moment and how incredibly happy I am to become your wife.

I promise you laughter and companionship, comfort and smiles, understanding and respect, happiness and trust, family and patience, and most importantly, love for the rest of my life. I love you.