Now that my head has stopped spinning, the last big event is over, the guests are gone, and we're almost ready for Mozambique. . .I can sit and blog.
First of all, our wedding was amazing. I probably only say it that way because it was my own wedding. Kind of the way a mother would say that her baby is the most beautiful that she has ever seen. But an outsider. .well, an outsider may have pointed out that it rained on and off all day, that my hair was nothing extraordinary (because after a disastrous visit to a local salon, I resorted to doing it myself), the weather was cold enough so that we couldn't use the tents and chairs that we had worked so hard to set up- with icicle lights dangling in the corners and handmade centerpieces at each table, and top it all off- the clasp on the back of my dress broke.
But if you ask me or Colin, or a member of our families how everything went, we would all agree that it was simply beautiful. And that it was beautiful because it was simple.
As I walked down the aisle, the sun was out, but it was raining just a little bit. My dad calmly told me that it was "just a sun shower" when were standing out of sight, waiting to go down the aisle. When I reached the deck, where Colin, the pastor, and the rest of the wedding party was waiting, it was raining a little bit harder. We kept going with the service, and I felt relieved when I looked out towards our guests and saw them putting away umbrellas. The sun had come back out to shine lightly on our faces as Colin and I recited our own vows. After we said our heartfelt and handwritten vows of love, faithfulness and a life of adventures for Jesus, Colin grabbed a black guitar and cowboy hat to sing "Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash. His performance was quirky, sweet, and cute- everything that Colin is. Our guests absolutely loved it and I think that it made the ceremony very memorable. At the end of the ceremony, Colin and I prayed before our guests and then proceeded into a receiving line so that we can warmly welcome all of our friends and family.
After this, we jumped into our decorated cars and went through the town honking our horns, until we reached the Nut Point Campground to take pictures on the rocks. Unfortunately it started to rain again- but our photographer was so prepared! She brought umbrellas and a big tarp to keep us from getting wet. After we got all of the important shots with the wedding party, we decided that Colin and I would do the rest of our photo session after our honeymoon- when it wasn't raining outside. It was during that photo session that we poised in a white canoe with fishing rods, ran down scenic trails, and strolled across the beach off of Lac La Ronge.
When we returned to the Jackson household, I wasn't surprised to see that Anita (Colin's mom) thought that it would be best to hold the reception inside the house rather than under our big tent in the backyard. I really didn't mind this one bit. I honestly never really liked the idea of having to sit at a head table and be the center of attention. I felt more comfortable mingling around the house among our guests while we feasted on a completely homemade meal, cooked by Grandma Tassie. After Colin and I cut the wedding cake (a beautiful carrot cake that Anita made, complete with the white bells wedding topper from her and George's wedding), we made our toasts. Jenny did such an amazing job- painting a picture to our guests of funny moments between her and I, along with how Colin and I met when I picked something out of his teeth at Bible College. There were so many funny stories and heartfelt words, and it felt so cozy and special with everyone gathered around the kitchen table. My dad also said a great speech, and I was looking forward to it because he loves public speaking. And towards the end, Colin shared our vision- that we would be going to Mozambique in about a month to attend missionary school, and then continue to do gospel work for the rest of our lives. He presented Jesus as he really is: our gracious Saviour, not a religious figure who condemns.
Anyway, it was a beautiful evening and I don't think that I would have changed a thing about it. I love the fact that Colin and I handmade our guestbook, wedding favours (oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on a stick), and money box. And I have always wanted to get married in a backyard, and Anita has always dreamed of one of her three sons getting married in the backyard, as well.
People say that a woman can never be fully prepared for her big day, and yet it's the most memorable day of her life. But I hope that this just marks the beginning of a memorable life for Colin and I.
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