Eight years ago today, I married my man of my dreams.

The weather that October was spectacular, similar to what we are experiencing now. However on Saturday October 22, 2005, it was wet and rainy. With my best friend by my side, we started the day early, but not excruciatingly so. The hair dresser was at my house by 9:00 and the make-up artist was there by 10:00. All maids were in line and dressed, flowers delivered and my dad was in pure joking spirits during the pictures. In fact, he didn’t stop talking through all of them (a trend he continued through to our father-daughter dance). It was trickling rain, but nothing significant yet so we were able to sneak in a few pictures outside.

We worked hard on all the details. I made everything I could; the invitations, programs, table cards, menus, party favours and thank you cards. Everything had that touch of fall that I love so much. I was disappointed it was raining, because it meant that my dreams of the autumnal themed outdoor pictures weren’t going to happen, but the girls were decked out in burnt orange and their bouquets were to die for.

We arrived early to the church, something D and I were very particular about. We needed the wedding to start on time at exactly two o’clock, because we wanted all the time we could get afterwards for pictures.

I remember everyone telling me to “put myself in the moment”, or I wouldn’t remember anything. I recall telling myself often to ‘remember this’ or ‘remember that’.

I remember that the throw I wore to the church, had a faux fur trim, which ended up all over my father’s suit. I remember asking the assistant at the church to find some tape, so we could clean it off. And I remember dancing with my maid of honour in the church gym, to relieve some of my nervous energy moments before going down the aisle.

The only thing I don’t remember is hearing the organ music. This was a source of contention for us in our planning as the organist was very hard to get a hold of, cost $160 and took us about 10 minutes to pick the music. Then on my big day, he was a no-show! D said about two minutes before I was to walk down the aisle, a replacement came racing into the church and started playing.

I didn’t know anything about this until later. And again, I don’t remember the music anyway.

I do remember walking down the aisle, looking only at D, trying not to cry and feeling my father squeeze my hand. I remember my dad not wanting to let go of my hand, before he put my hand in my soon-to-be husband’s. I remember holding back tears as I started my vows, but was able to pull it together and get through them with only a shaky voice. I remember when going to sign the marriage certificate that my aunt walked right up onto the alter to take a picture, and the Priest stopping to watch her as she did that. (She needed a picture!) I remember walking down the aisle and we were now officially married!

Because of the rain, outdoor pictures were officially off the agenda, so we went to the hall for plan B and had a blast with our wedding party, laughing and joking and having a good time. You can tell on the wedding DVD how much fun we had.

We greeted our guests, took some family pictures and then we all made our way into the hall for introductions and our first dance. I gave my DJ explicit instructions that all the items we had to do, such as father-daughter dance/mother-son dance, speeches, bouquet toss/garter toss, etc., needed to be done by the time dessert was served. Then, we were going to party!

And party we did. D, who isn’t much of a dancer, boogied on the hardwood with me, our bridal party and 220 of our closest friends and family. Some of the highlights included a Soul Train line, the worm, Greek dancing, Russian Rasputin kicking, a conga line and even the windmill (a breakdancing move where someone spins on their back in a circle).

Yup, that all happened!

And we had a blast. And I wouldn’t change one thing about that day. Not even the rain.

There is an Italian wedding saying; “Sposa Bagnata, Sposa Fortunata.” When translated, it means “wet bride, lucky bride.”

I’d say I was the lucky one, for sure!

Today’s Music Monday song (on a Tuesday) wasn’t our wedding song, but is appropriate as to how I feel about my husband, our relationship and our love.

Happy Anniversary babe! Cheers to many more!

You make me feel brand new

By: Simply Red

My love
I’ll never find the words, my love
To tell you how I feel, my love
Mere words could not explain
Precious love
You held my life within your hands
Created everything I am
Taught me how to live again

Only you
Cared when I needed a friend
Believed in me through thick and thin
This song is for you
Filled with gratitude and love

God bless you
You make me feel brand new
For God blessed me with you
You make me feel brand new
I sing this song ’cause you
Make me feel brand new

My love
Whenever I was insecure
You built me up and made me sure
You gave my pride back to me
Precious friend
With you I’ll always have a friend
You’re someone who I can depend
To walk a path that sometimes bends
Without you
My life has no meaning or rhyme
Like notes to a song out of time
How can I repay
You for having faith in me