Going to the Chapel...

Today we are celebrating 15 wonderful year of marriage...

I don't remember as much about the morning getting ready as I probably should. I do remember the night before so vividly. My mother and I had flown out to California. Jay was a little slow on the uptake and apparently didn't realize he wanted to marry me when we visited my family in July. My parents, however, were partially expecting an announcement. I think everyone but him knew. LOL Being in the military and on the other side of the country did not afford him the opportunity to ask for my hand in marriage face-to-face. So he called and spoke with my father. They had agreed we would elope in November and then have a formal ceremony in February in Tennessee. I remember trying to sleep, filled with emotions, and being overwhelmed by them. I tossed and turned sorting through all my thoughts. There were no feelings of doubt...just an incredible since of responsibility. This was forever!

The morning finally came. I had borrowed a suit from a friend and my mother had bought me a flower. Even though this wasn't the official ceremony she wanted it to be special for me. Lauryn was excited too. She couldn't wait to put curlers in her hair and dress up. Two friends of Jay's met us at the house and the five of us traveled to the courthouse to say "I do" We filled out the paperwork and were led to a room in the back of the courthouse. We had a woman officiate the ceremony that reminded me of the priest in the movie "The Princess Bride." I don't know how we didn't crack up! Today we are celebrating 15 years of wedded bliss.