TEAM Hardison: Wedding Whirlwind

It was wedding weekend last weekend for the Smith side of the family as Matthew and I headed to Cincinnati for my cousin Katherine's wedding. I have already discussed how my professor wouldn't let me miss class to make it to all the pre-wedding festivities, so Matthew and I had to get flights instead in order to make it to the wedding on time.

Unfortunately, a direct flight to Cinci is about as expensive as small flat screen TV. Thankfully, my benefactor of a father gave us his Southwest miles to use, but unfortunately, Southwest doesn't fly into Cinci, so we had to fly into Louisville instead. Matthew's parents wonderfully agreed to meet us in Louisville to give us a car that we could drive to Cinci, so that after the wedding we could drive back to Lexington Saturday night, wake up early Sunday morning for his parents to drive us back to the Louisville airport to catch our flight... Whirlwind. These are the places we were in a 40 hour time span... Birmingham, Louisville, Cinci, Lexington, Louisville, Birmingham. This is why I feel like my head is about to explode. I am exhausted.

Back to the wedding. It was absolutely beautiful. Katherine made the most gorgeous bride. She had the most amazing all lace dress, which is nothing like she thought she would get for her wedding dress. 6 months ago she wanted a full princess gown... it's funny how a lot of girls end up with something completely different than they thought! Her sweet dad, Uncle Grady, did the ceremony (he is the minister at the Northeast COC in Cinci), and he did a wonderful job. Here is something I wrote for Katherine for her rehearsal dinner in case they had people stand up to say something. I wanted to post it, because it never got read, and I think it accurately describes how much Katherine means to me....

Katherine,

There are so many things that I can say about you. I have known you since you were born, and I have had the joy of growing up with you as “cousins”. My childhood would have definitely been a lot more boring had it not been for growing up with you and Andrew, and I’m so glad that our parents have been best friends for so many years. One of my favorite memories is playing forts with Ashley and Andrew, and how they would gang up on us and always pick to be together so that they could always win! Or, how you and I are the ones that actually put the sheet under that infamous lamp, but Andrew is technically the one that broke it and had to pay. Or staying up late over Thanksgiving to sing Alanis Morisette songs while keeping Ashley up until all hours of the night…. There are many more, but they all just remind me of how thankful I am for you in my life.

Katherine you are so vibrant and full of life. I’m so jealous of how you view life as such an adventure as though you have never lived a dull moment. I hope that you will keep this same spirit as you continue on in your life with Ben, because marriage should be an adventure too.

You are a greatest listener. I always loved spending the night with you and sharing our deepest, darkest secrets. You always knew that I just needed to get things off my chest, and would let me rant and rave for hours.

You are sweet and kind. You would do anything for anybody, even if it meant giving the shirt of your own back. You would always call me just to see how my week was going or to check in…and it always seemed to be on a day when I needed somebody to ask.

My prayer for you and Ben is this (since I’m such an expert on marriage): That you will be in prayer daily together, because there is nothing better for a relationship than praying with your spouse. That you will be supportive of one another through everything…even when you don’t feel like it. And that you will just have fun, because marriage should be fun, and you should wake up every morning looking forward to what that day is going to bring.

I love you so much. I am so happy for you, and you will always be in my prayers.

Ann

She was so beautiful! Her something borrowed were the earrings I wore at our wedding.

Thankfully I got to walk with Andrew.

Back to the wedding... The reception was a blast. There was a head table where the whole wedding party sat. I had never been in a wedding where this was the case, and I for sure felt awkward eating knowing people were looking at me. Uncle Grady and Andrew got out on the dance floor to show off their amazing dance skills...while my own father displayed his spot on version of the White Man's Overbite. Katherine was very frugal and ordered her flowers from Costco and had family put together the arrangements, and they looked fantastic, and they saved LOTS of money. She was completely laid back, kept her cool, and just seemed to enjoy the day, which is what every bride should do! Regardless of the fact that she had lost at least 5 pounds the week of because she forgot to eat... I am also guilty of this. It wasn't on purpose...you are just busy!

Ashley and Keela trying to avoid the bouquet toss.

The Five kids!

Keela.. one of my new favorite people. LOVE HER!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time there, as short as it was. After the reception we drove back to Lexington to Matthew's parents house to enjoy a fabulous home cooked meal and laid back hangout time... while enjoying some Stephen Colbert clips from his show the Colbert Report. So funny. Wish we could have had more time in Lextown, looking forward to seeing D and S for an extended time this fall... maybe for the UK- AL football game perhaps?!

We are now back from the beach... I will post about our trip either tomorrow or Monday. Matthew is experiencing some PVSD (Post Vacation Stress Disorder). I took him out to get Mexican tonight to smooth over the transition of being back in the "real world". Let's all hope he feels like getting up for work Monday!

Lexi is super glad that momma and daddy are back home, and she no longer has to stay at her version of Motel 6... the boarders. Ok. Maybe her momma is more glad that she is safely home where she belongs. I will admit that I made Matthew call the vet to make sure she was doing well while we were gone. I'm just a concerned parent!