Speechless

It's not often that you catch me at a loss for words. Seeing Erin in her wedding dress was one of those times. Watching the look on Matthew's face when he saw her for the first time as she walked down the aisle. It happened a lot today, actually.

Best. Wedding. EVER.

I have to say, I wish I had girlfriends like these bridesmaids. What an incredible group of intelligent, mature, sane, hysterically funny and pretty darn attractive chicks! I'm seriously thinking about trying to keep in touch with them. The groomsmen were great, too - Moira took a shine to Michael immediately, for which I don't blame her. George warmed up into an amazing sweetie, and Evan and his new wife were adorable. I heard that the three or them at one point were singing Harvard fight songs - George is evidently a piano virtuoso, and they were doing 3 part harmonies - I would have LOVED to be there for that! It was even great fun hanging out with Dustin again - as J says, he's a great guy; J can only take him in small doses. I can understand that. :) Catherine was there - I've gotta spend more time with her when we get back to Tally. And Sarah! Geez; I wish I'd spent more time with her in high school!

I've never been so honored to be a part of something. The preacher was awesome; J & I are sad he's all the way up here in St. Louis! So hard to find a preacher you like, you know? The church was GORGEOUS, and the place where the reception was held was incredible. The entire bridal party rode to the reception in a limo! That was great fun. A whole weekend of firsts for me! First time in St. Louis, first time as a bridesmaid, first time in a limo, first time at a head table... no snow, but I'm actually okay with that. There will be other opportunities.

The kids were awesome. Charmed the pants off just about everybody. Incredibly patient and laid back. And fucking adorable, if I do say so myself. The evening was a little more complicated with them, but everybody was very generous and accommodating and so it wasn't a gigantic issue. At the end of it all, though, I was so exhausted that it took me a while to walk to the car in the parking lot when we left. J was an enormous help with the kids; I am so lucky to have such a good partner.

I can't wait to see the pictures. We're probably taking the kids to the zoo here tomorrow (they've got some really nifty stuff here it sounds like!) and then we're heading back to Tennessee. Flying would have been less complicated, but then we wouldn't have been able to see J's grandparents, which is wonderful. It's really nice to be able to spend time with them when it's not Christmas and there aren't 30 people there. :)

It's 8am my time (so 7am here) and I'm going to try to go back to sleep. I'm still pretty exhausted. I would have loved to get together with Catherine et al when they got back to the hotel, but I was having trouble standing upright, I was that tired.

Oh, and BTW - J looked incredibly handsome in his tux. I wasn't too bad either, I'm told.