I experienced a miracle today. I woke up with minimal nausea.
Earlier, I had pleaded with Heavenly Father to bless me
to feel well, so I could
set up Claire's wedding as we had planned months ago,
and enjoy it. I really wanted to be present for it, and not just
wander around in the "pregnancy haze".
You know what I mean?
I wanted to be able to do the decorating,
designing, and putting everything together.
And today, I felt good and had energy. It was truly a gift from God.
Jenna, our florist, came all the way from Georgia to do Claire's flowers.
She did a beautiful, breathtaking, magical job!
We picked up Claire's cake from the bakery and drove home at 20 mph under the
speed limit, the cake made it home in one piece.
At home, we started setting everything up, including putting together
the fruit platters. Jane is a master and did all of that.
It was fun working side-by-side with my girls for this wonderful occasion.
It was a beautiful evening with perfect weather!
We ate dinner, mingled with friends, and had a darling little program
where each sibling of Claire & Nate shared a little tribute.
Jane expressed her love for Claire and gave her a beautiful portrait
of two herons (Claire's spirit animal). Jane's friend, Hannah, painted it for her.
It was a beautiful tribute.
Oliver gave Claire a DoorDash gift card and shared a little story about
when they used to deliver for DoorDash together during COVID.
Gigs gave Claire a pack of wet wipes and a super adorable photo
of the two of them when they were younger. Claire used to wipe Gigs after
he'd go to the bathroom when I couldn't. Great memories!
Lottie was very emotional as she shared her tribute to her oldest and biggest sister.
She gave Claire a T-shirt (she had a matching one) and a
Woody doll, since she often refers to Nate as Woody.
(They kinda do look similar!)
Then Nate's family did the same for him.
Brazilian tradition gave the first piece to the person they
love the most. They gave it to little 5-year-old Henry.
Then the boys disappeared to the field behind the house to light up
the sky with some pretty incredible fireworks.
It was the perfect way to end the dinner.
After everyone had gone home, our little family just sat around
listening to music while the candles dripped down to stubs.
It will be my favorite memory of this whole marriage, I'm sure.
It was just perfect and magical, and it was just my
children (and future son-in-law).
I'll never forget it.
Another I'll never forget is that Justin Hackworth flew from Utah to be with us.
It was only fitting that he be here for this beautiful event.
He's photographed some of the most epic moments of our family's life.
I can't wait to post some of his photographs.
They will have really captured the essence of the evening
including Claire's bridal photographs.
I never, never EVER NEVER thought in a million years that I'd
be pregnant at Claire's wedding.
I mean, come on!
I feel like Father of the Bride Part 2 over here!