And Then They Were One...

Sometimes those days and moments come along where you get to experience such wonderful things you feel as though you could burst with joy and pride. They are usually as follows...seeing your children come into your life, finding the "one", incredibly special family events, etc. sometimes the stars even align and more than one happens at once. 2 weekends ago this happened when my brother and his sweet bride became husband and wife!

It was a very intimate ceremony with just a handful of family present which was refreshing and sweet. The wedding was in Asheville, NC which was sort of neutral ground since Sarah had family coming in from all over. John, Ellie and I had the shortest drive by far at just an hour away. The others were 6+ hours away I believe so we all spent the weekend there. Friday night we got in late and had dinner with my parents just across from the hotel.

On Saturday, my dad, brother and I ate breakfast together (at Waffle House which my dad swears by and it was very good!). I couldn't tell you the last time the 3 of us spent time together like this so it was really nice. Ellie stayed back with John so she could nap and I just brought them back food-Ellie is obsessed with breakfast food. My mom got her hair did at that time with the bride and her mom.

Not our hotel but still memorable!

Finally the time to depart came and we loaded up in the party bus! This was really, really nice because :

1. no one wants to drive up the mountain (although it was a little unnerving chugging along in that bus on steep mountain side)
2. there was celebration booze and no one should be driving back
3. the excitement is even more contagious when you can all ride together and the groom was with us!

We drove right up to the vineyard and the view was stunning!! The heart of fall settling into the mountains and looking as lovely as ever. There wasn't a wedding party save for Ellie and Sarah's niece and nephew being flower girls and ring bearer. Ellie was on the job! She took her basket and took off down the aisle never stopping to throw a single petal! But hey at least she walked to my brother so John could then go get her. Not bad for a 1 1/2 year old!

After Man and Wife were proclaimed, Jeremy, Sarah and the family took lots of pictures. We then settled into a cozy, covered area (complete with heaters!) for a wonderful meal. The vineyard supplied the wine for a nice time. When it was time to go, we were all tired and excited still. Ellie just couldn't wait to get back on the bus. She kept saying "ride the bus?".

Sunday we checked out and went into downtown Asheville to have breakfast with my grandma and parents before we all had to depart. Ellie was crying so hard to leave her grandparent and me-ma but she missing my mom extra hard. She and grammie just were stuck at the hip the whole weekend so it was a little extra sad to leave. Good thing the holidays are coming though.

So here's to love, may it be long, forfilling and everlasting!!