Monday, October 31, 2011 was Devin and my 4 year dating anniversary, now Halloween has even more significant then our dating anniversary and Devin's favorite holiday. Now it serves as the day we married. Yup, Devin and I decided to marry here locally for those who are unable to do the big shindig next Summer. We gathered with immediate family, and the wedding party at the Justice of the Peace and married at 12:00PM on Halloween day.
I wanted to write about it the day of so it was all fresh in my mind, but we went on a "mini-moon" for a week and time got away from me. We decided to marry early in early October - we wanted an opportunity for those who couldn't go to Jamaica to partake in this time with us as well, and as luck would have it our anniversary was coming up and we thought there would really be no other way to celebrate 4 years of utter happiness and bliss then to marry on the day of. We kept mum to everyone outside of immediate family and the wedding party - we figured at first we wouldn't ever let on and let the rest of the world assume that when June came around that was our one and only wedding, of course as the day got closer we realized that we couldn't keep that big of a thing a secret for that long, ok well I couldn't keep it anyways, so we settled on doing it privately and secretly and then announcing to the world afterwards that we had gotten married pretty much on a whim and kind of eloping.
It took an act of God for me to find a white dress, everywhere I went I couldn't find one - I bought one online and it fit horribly, I didn't want to wear my June wedding dress, so I finally found two dresses at a retailer and bought them both to decide at a later time which one I would wear. I set up for my hair and makeup to be done, I wanted this to be a special day even if it wasn't the "big one." The night before Devin stayed with his best man and I stayed at the apartment, surprisingly I slept quite well for the most part. My day started at 7AM, I took a shower and put my dress on, covering it with one of Devin's button downs. My girls Alex and Bekah met up with me to keep me company in the process of getting ready - I found a hairstylist that was willing to come in on a Monday and do my hair, followed by going to MAC at the mall to get the makeup done. I must say I barely recognized myself which it was done, I guess it wasn't too extravagant, I just don't wear a lot of makeup ever and on average my hair is either down or up in a ponytail. So to see it all put together AND I was in a dress and heels to top it off... it was weird at first.
Devin was at the JP early at around 11:20, I was there shortly after - He refused to look at me though and kept his head down in the car to prevent seeing me and to contemplate I guess. I spent some time outside saying hi to my boss, and his mother and sister and her kids who arrived. I then found my way inside and to the employee locked hallway so that Devin would feel comfortable coming in. I heard his laugh in the lobby and I remember it kind of sent flutters to my stomach. My ladies kept me company in the hallway, and I chatted with the judge who was marrying us. I teared up a little when my parents arrived - It was extremely emotional for me to have them there.Pretty much at 12 people made their way to the courtroom and I followed. I'm pretty sure I stunned Devin when he first saw me, he had never seen me that decked out in the entire time we've been together. We made our way to the judge and it began. I wish I could tell you about all that he said but I can't remember to save my life - the whole moment was surreal, I heard every word, agreed, said my vows, but walking away I couldn't repeat one thing he said - Luckily a good friend recorded it for us so I look forward to seeing that soon.The ceremony was short and was followed by pictures - lots, and lots, and lots of pictures. We then went to lunch at Chilis with those that were able to come and then Devin and I went home, he carried me through the doorway haha, and then we had a couple hours of quiet and time to take everything in before going to dinner with friends. The entire day was amazing and perfect, I had my reservations about going about it by way of JP in the beginning but it fit us absolutely to perfection. And I am even more lucky cause I get to do this all over again this Summer when we marry in the Caribbean.
Our "mini"moon was spent in San Antonio and then Dallas - I think it's the best trip we have had together to date. We did so much, saw so many things, met people, and visited family that was unable to come to Midland. All in all, last week was by far the best week of my entire life and I couldn't be happier.
