It's a good day.
That's the day my sister, Emily, married her eternal companion, James. They were sealed for ever and eternity in the Nauvoo Temple, among friends, family, and the spirit of the Lord.
I didn't get to go (of course), but I hear it was lovely.
There was PLENTY of sun for pictures...probably too much sun, actually...but the photographer got a lot of good pictures, I think.
After photographs, we got to go the luncheon at the art gallery under the Historic Nauvoo Mercantile. They kind of actually forgot we were coming, but it worked out. We all needed a break, so the guests got to indulge in the spirit of chocolate upstairs while Emily practiced her silly bride poses. Now that she's married, I think she's ready to go into bridal magazine modelling full-time!
The luncheon eventually came and it was heavenly...well worth the wait! Dad and Brother Duncan gave lovely toasts, and I do think that was the best (not to mention the first) apricot chicken I've ever had. I sat at Oma and Opa's table, which was really fun to catch up with them. I guess I haven't seen them in too long, because last night all the female characters in my dreams sounded like Oma and all the gentlemen had Opa's voice. It was a very interesting and very German experience to sleep through.
I can't forget the dessert! As a "we're super sorry" gift for their forgetfulness, the Mercantile supplied their ~finest~ of desserts. I think we can all attest that the spirit of chocolate was very much present...though I wouldn't have minded a full course of rolls!
I drove home with Oma, Opa, and Celeste...though most of the time was spent reading my first book for English. Celeste and I also entertained ourselves with her poorly-edited Presidential Fact Book. Did you know that Presidents Bush and W. Bush both served from 1989-1993? And that in order to practice writing presidential last names, it's best to write "Hoover" under "Roosevelt"? Unfortunately, Oma and Opa (ever-famous for their plentiful treats for whomever is with them) packed a bag full of kisses and other Hershey delights. Yet, the spirit of chocolate does not reside in trunks going cross-country into Illinois humidity.
Saturday we prepared for their outdoor reception...and heavens! It was BEAUTIFUL! I hope Erin (our photographer) got plenty of shots, and I think she did, because it felt like a floral fairy-world except not that tacky. And can I mention my dress! Geez! Mom and I once found this beaaaautiful 1920's dress on etsy that would have looked lovely on me, but it was for an itty bitty lady with a 14-inch waist. That's not me. So she MADE me the most vintage, beautiful, perfect dress in my closet. I got to wear it with my pearls and one of my favorite pair of goodwill shoes. PLUS I had just cut my hair, and with Emily's help and Mom's flower headband (to look bridesmaid-y), it was doubly perfect.
It was a dessert reception, and there were exactly 100 brownies (cut in the shape of hearts, topped with your choice of whipped cream, chocolate sauce, carmel sauce, raspberry sauce, rainbow sprinkles, pralines, chocolate sprinkles, and nuts). Not to mention Michelle's AMAZING beautiful and delicious cake (white and chocolate tiered), lemon bars, coconut no-bakes, and plentiful cookies. Oh yes. The spirit of chocolate abounds.
About half-way through, the clouds opened up and, feeling left out for not being invited, gave James and Emily some rain. A wedding shower, mind you. (I'm allowed a pun now and again, okay? :P) The food was moved under a tarp and the guests were moved under the tent, which assisted in mass socialization and eating. The purpose of wedding receptions, methinks! Since my job before the rain was to keep candles lit, it was basically nullified. I sort of unwittingly became the source of entertainment for Brynlee, Truman, Valerie, and Anja.
Don't get me wrong, Brynlee is one little girl who KNOWS how awesome it is to be a Hendricks and she lives up to her awesome level. Truman is the coolest 6-year old I know (as I tell pretty much everyone), Baby V is in our group of beehives that I think may be the BEST group of beehives the world has ever seen, and Anja is cool for a chick I never really met before yesterday. Plus, all my commonly-aged friends were at a dance. I think dancing in the rain and running around being as helpful as we could, we may have had just as much fun as those teenagers in Chicago. It helped that the little ones had indulged in the spirit of chocolate beforehand.
The cousins and siblings tastefully got their car ready for departure as well, in shifts, with stick-on "Just Married" letters, diet Pepsi cans, white balloons, and rose petals. It was lovely when we sent them off with our sparklers and they drove, top-down, in the ends of the sprinkling shower.
The cousins and siblings tastefully got their car ready for departure as well, in shifts, with stick-on "Just Married" letters, diet Pepsi cans, white balloons, and rose petals. It was lovely when we sent them off with our sparklers and they drove, top-down, in the ends of the sprinkling shower.
The theme seemed to be that the unexpected works out just fine...which could bode well for their marriage. Better that the wait for the luncheon was a nice, calming break than a hectic stress picnic. Better that the car shuffles to get home worked out to be fun for everyone than panic and frustration. Better that the tarp got over the food and everyone socialized under the tent than having someone leave the cake out in the rain. Better that Jim, Julie, and family found a mechanic who works was closed but still present than forced to stay in Illinois another night. Better that the spirit of chocolate was present than no food at all.
"It only Takes a Moment" can be found in Hello, Dolly!
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