Last month (August 19 & 20th) I took a little trip up to SLC area to attend my mission companions wedding. To be more specific she was my trainer, aka: my mission "mom". I love her!!! I left early early early Thursday morning (like 6:30am) to drive up and made it in good time. Spent the night and drove back first thing the next morning to make it back in time to drive Aaron to the shuttle to catch his flight in Vegas going to Nashville. Whew! I was a tiny bit nervous because I had never traveled that far with Porter alone in a car but it was as smooth of a trip you could ever ask for. Now back to the purpose of the trip. Shannon Fleischel married Craig Middlemas in the Draper Temple and it was one of the best sealings I have ever attended. The sealer was wonderful and as soon as it was over I ran to the car to take notes and write things down he said as he counseled the happy couple. As for the weather, the night before we had a big storm down in St. G and I wondered what it would be like for her wedding day. The drive up was perfect (Porter is a dream traveler) and beautiful sunny weather. When I got to the temple it got really cloudy but it was still nice out. We go sit in the sealing room waiting for the bride and groom to come in and we hear it down pour outside. It was windy, rainy, and kind of cold! But by the luncheon and reception it was once again perfect outside. I had a lot of help from Shannon's family and her cousins were kind enough to babysit Porter for me while I attended the sealing and the luncheon afterward. (Of course when I dropped him off he screamed bloody murder for about 10 seconds according to the girls, but when I arrived to pick him up and leave, he cried and cried. Guess he had too much fun there.) I am sooooooo glad I was invited (to the sealing, luncheon, and reception!) and able to be there on that important day. Mission companions are meaningful and will always be special. Shannon was GORGEOUS!!! (And I still have to practice self-restraint and make a conscious effort not to call her "Fleischel" even though that was what I knew her as for 18 months.) She looked amazing. The beautiful dress, gorgeous curly hair in a perfect up-do (she did herself; people would kill for that hair/curl), and glowing/happy countenance. She was so happy that day and you could see it inside and out.
The Draper Temple was up in the mountains and it was one of the most beautiful temples (inside) I have ever seen, and I've seen a hand full. It was such a wonderful experience to be there and attend such a wonderful sealing. I was also lucky to have a LOT of help from Shannon's family. They were so kind and wonderful and helped me get from place to place with directions. They even treated me like a family friend when really I was a stranger to them. Her siblings and parents were all so kind and Craig's family as well. I only knew one person there at every event (the bride obviously) yet I felt like I was among my own friends and family. I have decided to adopt them or make them adopt me. =P So consider me an honorary member of the Fleischel family; self invited. That's one thing I love about the gospel. You're already connected to each other and care about one another without previous association.One thing I absolutely loved was all the color coordination. The wedding colors were yellow and blue and everything tied into those colors. The invitations had blue, her luncheon dress was blue, everything at the luncheon had the colors (tables, napkins, candy), the reception tables had blue tablecloths and yellow ribbons on the chairs, all of the family members on both sides wore the colors, the cake of course matched...it was so fun! I love how it all coordinated. Another aspect of the reception I loved was Shannon chose to have it catered by Cold Stone Creamery. Brilliant!!! The line for the ice cream never went down. What a fabulous idea. Speaking of lines I never got to go through the wedding line or watch the slide show due to toddler chasing, but it all worked.
This picture in the middle was funny: I gave Porter a sucker because he was way past nap time and I knew it would make him happy. He feel asleep with it in his mouth! I drove to the South Jordan Temple planning to get him out and walk around to take pictures but I pulled into the parking lot to see him in sweet slumber. I couldn't disrupt that or leave him so no pictures. Have to go back now.
Porter was such a stud at the reception and so good to say "cheese" when I wanted to take a picture. The reception was at Le Jardin Reception Center in Sandy and it was amazing! An indoor garden heaven with a maze of greenery and fountains, but it was a nightmare with a toddler who didn't want to hold still. I lost him every two seconds even with my best attempt to stay on his heels. At one point I actually lost him but someone thankfully recognized him and knew he was mine (believe it was one of Shannon's sister-in-laws) and she saved him from escaping too far outside but he was heading for the parking lot. Talk about heart pounding moment. I thought of how nice it would have been to have the husband there to watch him so I could talk to the bride and family. Oh well; he was as good of a toddler I could ask for. He was really cute smelling the flowers outside and loved to splash in the fountains.
I am so grateful for such a smooth trip and to be apart of Shannon's special day. It was a perfectly fun and pleasant experience and I'm so grateful for her! Congratulations Middlemas newlyweds!!! =D
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