We have been moving forward recently in a brighter light and with a bit more purpose - even if we don't always know what the purpose is -we are moving. Baby Steps!
Recently a friend whom we really consider family got married to the love of her life! She is just a bit older than Rye, and he and she were like brother and sister. They took their time, and really it was wonderful!
Weddings have been hard for us since Rye passed, excruciating really, and I have passed on many a wedding that I thought might end in me being in a heap on the floor and not able to honor the couple the way it should be done. Even some of the closest of kids with us I was not strong enough to actually go and be joyful with them.
It was also pre-carpal surgery, so I was still getting around pretty well with all my parts in working order! I am healing now but still struggling with the slow healing of the nerves.
It was held at a farm in Palmer and was one of the only sunny, hot and beautiful days we had all summer! Got up to 80 degrees that day! It was fun to have a "dress up" day and spend with the kids too! I wore all my earrings, rings and even my dragonfly pin! It felt good to want to do that again.
There were many signs of Rye that day, from the memorial table as we walked in (I was not expecting that and it took my breath away for a minute), to the dragonfly that flitted around all day from me to the bride and to Reed and Key as well. If you look close at some of the photos you can see it photo bombing us in many of them! Your name was spoken and you were remembered that day in the sunshine with us.
There were many fun things at this wedding and this little digital camera was one of my favorites! You scan the code and it lets you take pictures that go right to the brige and grooms albums! You get lots of fun photos from all parts of the wedding and all the people who love you participate in your album!
I couldnt resist sending them a picture of Brix and Ike when I got home! Just for the laugh emoji's I knew would happen! The Newlyweds are DOG people!!
Brix and Ike sitting pretty for a photo for the couple!
And there was joy - real joy - for us and for them that we got to have some time together and see the love all around us and for each other! Keyona has the "selfie" taking down! I always seem to get mostly the hairy underside of my chin! WTF?
Another fun thing they did was when the Groomsmen were coming in they played a rock and roll song and passed out drinks to the wedding guests. It was hilarious and fun!
I didnt get a picture of it but when the ring bearer came out he was dressed to the nines and the mission impossible song was playing and he was wearing the sunglasses like Cruise and had a suitcase handcuffed to the his wrist with the rings locked in it! He was deadly serious and it was so much fun to watch!
I also got to have lots of hugs from my Reedo. I got to visit with friends I hadnt seen in a long time, including some of Ryes' hockey boys who were a big part of our lives all those years ago. Some so long that Reed didn't remember them since he was really little at the time! They remembered him - and his "rink rat" shenanigans!
They had a "charcuterie buffet" at the reception and (of course) I didn't get a picture of it but it was AMAZING! I have never seen that much meat, cheese, and pickled veg in all my life! In my defense I was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing, and trying really hard to make sure I was feeling the joy and not letting the loss sneak in - so pictures were secondary! Other than these ones! Haha!
There was an open bar and they had these really cute little plastic party cups that were purple with gold rims and I saved two of them from Reed and Key - you can see one in Keys hand above. I forgot to take pictures of them before I used them and I have broken both of them now, but they were also super cool.
Usually my hair is totally a caution, but even with the stiff breeze that was blowing (thank goodness or I would totally have had epic deoderant fail) I was able to keep the hair monster at bay with a hair clip and my Bose sunglasses! This one was taken as I was leaving the reception and Reed and Key walked me to my car. Photos courtesy mostly of Aimee Matteucci, dear friend and scrapbooker expert!
I hope that you have good friends, and good kids to go to hard but joyful places with, and I hope your invitations to the sunshine are plenty!
Blessed Be to you and to the New Couple! You know who you are!