CHAPTER 19 - THE LUCKIEST

There are many kind people who shared their greatest "married" advice with me while we were engaged. One I remember the most vividly was about the wedding day. She explained that the best way to remember the details and special moments is to pause and take a mental picture in my mind through out the day. Remember the surroundings, the people, the smiles, the glistening eyes, the feelings, and confirmation of goodness in my heart... 

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Early that Wednesday morning I easily woke up and got out of bed. My hair dresser was to arrive in an hour and I wanted some quiet time for myself. I took a loooooong hot shower, prepped my skin and face for the day, added the product to my hair as I was instructed weeks before, and blew it dry. She came and curled it in the long beautiful ringlets that I had imaged for months.

(I attempted to do my hair in ringlets for my bridals, but that ended up in a disaster. So after two different hair dresser's attempts and major tears, we pulled it up. I ended up really liking it pulled up after all...)

I finished my makeup and put on my brown skirt, celadon green undershirt, and white blazer. We gathered up my dress, slips, accessories, temple attire, and extra hairspray and make up.

Pretty soon, there was a knock on the front door. I opened it to see the biggest smile and brightest blue eyes. Our day had come and there stood my very-soon-to-be husband. My heart pounded wildly. I smiled and backed up to let him in the door.

As we had previously arranged, Thomas would drive us and my mom to the temple. She was my escort and we needed to be there earlier than the wedding party, so we carpooled. I took shot gun while he drove. For some reason I found it strange that my mom was there in the back seat during that drive, but looking back it was so sweet to have her be a part of so much of my day. She had worked so hard to make it special and I wanted her to feel loved. I was so grateful to have her by my side as my escort then, and a week before at the Ogden temple where I received my own endowments. Just another moment captured in my mind to keep.

Temple matrons are always so kind, but they truly made me feel like royalty that day. My mom and I split off from Thomas soon after entering so we could prepare for the ceremony. I slipped on my beautiful, new, white temple dress, touched up my hair and tried to calm my excited nerves and heart. I was led to a waiting area where I met my grandfather and Thomas. (My grandpa Rulon Judd had been set apart as a temple sealer previously.) I felt so privileged to be married by someone I looked up to for strength, courage, humility, and truth. We sat and talked and smiled until someone rushed over to us and asked if everything was okay. We said it was and he sighed with relief. My grandfather's watch had ironically stopped and we were just enjoying the time together not realizing that we were late to the party.

We were led into a room full of those loved: parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors and mission companions. Before the ceremony, my grandfather shared some wise words that I will forever treasure in my heart.

Although there were so many emotions going through my heart in that room, I tried my very best to take it all in, to capture every face, smile, twinkle, reflection, and feeling. I specifically wanted to remember the face that I knelt across and freeze that moment for time and all eternity. I knew in that moment that what I was doing was not just for me and Thomas, but for everyone in that room, for everyone waiting outside the doors, for those at home too sick to make it, for our friends coming to our reception that evening, for those who we would meet in the years to come, and especially for those who would join our new, little family and make us parents. We were all linked together for time and all eternity.

Remembering the advice to specifically capture the moment when we knelt together and looked into each other's eyes, I gazed with wonder and excitement for this new adventure with my best friend. I never wanted to forget that feeling of incredible peace with his hands in mine. I wanted to use that feeling and memory for strength, forgiveness, perspective, and peace in the future when trials and life might feel a little less certain. I knew that getting married to this incredible person, in the right place, and at the right time would only propel us into great things as a new family.


With full hearts, we kissed each other as husband and wife. Each member who had witnessed our sealing came and individually congratulated our marriage before they left the room. I was so full of love and contentment…I just could not wipe that smile off my face, nor could Thomas.

We were escorted back to our separate dressing rooms to change into our traditional wedding attire: a big white wedding dress and a handsome, sleek tuxedo. Once the finishing touches were made on my hair, make up, dress, veil, and shoes, I was led out to meet my new husband for our grand entrance out the temple doors for all those waiting outside. I was prepped with an absolutely beautiful bouquet of calla lilies and Thomas was pinned with a matching boutonniere. (I gave my full trust to Thomas’ sister Veronica to put my flowers together and she did an incredible job!) Hand in hand we turned the corner and walked through the beautiful temple doors that were being held open by our fathers. A big cheer of congratulations came from the crowd! We were both smiling and squinting in the hot July sun as we walked down the stairs to embrace our family and friends.

As a group we made our way to the steps in front of the Idaho Falls temple for pictures. My cousin Chris was our awesome videographer and Veronica, again, did our pictures. I couldn’t thank them enough for the great job that they both did, at no cost to us.

We smiled and kissed a lot in that July sun, but were so happy we hardly noticed the sweat running down our backs as we took picture after picture. Capturing our happiness and love on picture and video around the temple grounds that early afternoon will never be forgotten. I was blissfully happy!

We eventually changed and quickly made our way to the luncheon that was being held at the First Ward building in Blackfoot. The Parks did a wonderful job feeding the whole crew and making us feel special.

The next hours were busy spent prepping for the reception that was being held at the Groveland church. Thankfully most of the decorating had already been done, but the pictures, flowers, food, and everything in between had to be finalized. 

We waited too late to take family pictures before people started coming. Since we were both from Blackfoot, we had a reception line out the door the entire time we had allotted for. People came from many different states to say hello and congratulations. We felt so loved and wished we could say the many thanks that we felt.

Eventually we made our way to the cake which we kindly smeared all over each other’s faces, much to our grandmothers and mothers dismay.

I then danced with my dad (and Thomas with his mom) to “Butterfly Kisses”. (I sometimes still tear up to that song when I think about my dad giving away his little girl…) Thomas took over for my dad and we danced together for the first time as husband and wife.

After the traditional parent's dance, we turned up the music and got people moving, dancing, and laughing...

...and we can't forget the awesome, videos that Thomas' mom put together, showing our growing up years, meeting, mission, engagement, etc... ENJOY!




>> For a good laugh, and memory's sake, here is our wedding soundtrack:

1.  Butterfly Kisses
2. Now and Forever
3. Everything I Do
4. Dancing in the Moonlight
5. Merry Christmas Darling (it was supposed to be some other Carpenter's song my mom requested, haha oops!)
6. Baby It's Fact
7. Ugyanugy Soul
8. Breaking Free
9. The Luckiest
10. Twist and Shout
11. I'll Be
12. Out of My League
13. At the Beginning
14. Danny's Song
15. Forever Young
16. Look After You
17. She's Got a Way
18. Waiting on an Angel
19. Sympathy 

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It has been seven years since that amazing day, but I just wanted to say thank you again to all of those who made it so great. To my mom for putting up with me during those nine long weeks of engagement when I became impatient and insensitive. To our family and friends who came from different states to show their love and support. And to all of those who never received their thank you cards that we totally and completely meant to send…THANK YOU!