< by Jill >
I woke up at 7 a.m. on August 18, 2013 and thought: TODAY IS MY WEDDING DAY!!!!
But I had to double-check, so I scrubbed my eyes and refreshed the phone screen. It confirmed: August 18, 2013. In T-minus eight hours, I’d be hitched. Married. Yoked to a one Nathaniel Norbert Carey, and him to me.
The next several hours moved slowly. It was too early to get dressed, to early to go to the venue. The rabble of butterflies in my stomach ruled out breakfast, so I punched 2-4-3 into the hotel telephone and woke up my parents. They came for a visit, followed by my sister and her two little ones. We sat in the dim light of the hotel room and contemplated the hours ahead.
“It’s a beautiful day.” “You’re getting married today, Jilly!” “Don’t forget to eat something.”
And then all of a sudden I was in the passenger’s seat of my best friend’s car, cruising by barns and pastures on our way to the venue. The next several hours compressed into a single moment; one beautiful flash of light and laughter and jingling bells.
Certain moments come to mind with crystal clarity:
– The moment I crossed the threshold into the ceremony room, giving my dad’s arm an extra squeeze
– The moment when Nate’s eyes welled up and, for a second, he lost his words
– The moment Nate and I exited the ceremony room, arm-in-arm, and I let go of the breath I’d been holding for several minutes (hours?)
I’ve never felt more loved in my life. Not only by Nate—who committed his whole life to me!—but by the family and friends who joined us in celebration.
These days, when I wake up, I think: I’m the luckiest woman alive!
> click an image to begin slideshow!
a breakfast serial 
part of my last name is Karry –beautiful pics of a wonderful day!