an uncaged heart: July 2018

My wedding! It's finally here! I couldn't believe it. The day I had been waiting my whole life for. To marry the man of my dreams, my best friend. Seriously, 31 years of waiting.

I had gone the day before to Love is in the Air's shop to see my flowers. My reaction wasn't quite what I thought it would be. There they sat in a refrigerator. Just a refrigerator, I could feel it coming, I started sobbing. (Over flowers? Yep.) All my favorite flowers in all my favorite colors in a bouquet just for me, for me to carry down the aisle. Not only that - there were two boutonnieres for my soon-to-be-husband and my soon-to-be-stepson. Then....then there were two little bouquets with matching flower crowns for my soon-to-be-stepdaughters. OHHH THE TEARS... It was perfect. So perfect. I got myself together. Then I saw the cake. It was a plain cake with regular white icing.... I could feel it coming back, the tears - it was for me and my husband on our day. OHHH it was perfect, it couldn't be more perfect. Then I saw three little matching cakes... ok, you're killing me here... I cried and cried. I'm crying now just thinking about it. Every little detail thought out and perfected. It may not seem like a big deal to most people, but it is to me. See, I am a maker - a maker of things for people - I love watching the expressions on people's face when they see the thought that went into it and how they "just can't believe how perfect it is"...that's usually me. This time, I wasn't the giver, I was the getter. The getting of something that had been made just for ME - each piece thought through carefully of something that I would want and be in love with the second I saw it. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and love for all that went into making this day the perfect one. My wedding has been planned by people who love me and know me for a lot longer than I've actually been engaged, you see. By people who know how much I love love. Thank you Mama, Mary, & Linda from the very bottom of my heart. (And Kenneth even kicked in, too<3)

I could go on and on about how thankful I am, but there really just aren't enough words. I am thankful for those who celebrated with us, who made this day happen, who helped with everything, who coordinated the Judge and the photographer (Dad & Susan).

Special thanks to:
Love is in the Air - Cake, Flowers, Decor, Magic
Chantay - Make up
Judge White - Offficiating
Cindy Watson - Photography

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The Morning Of

I had my alarm set, but I woke up to someone who was just as excited as I was.

My mom came over to do my hair and the girls' hair. Mary also helped!

Make-up done by Chantay at In Your Face Make Up Art. (She did a great job and comes HIGHLY recommended!) https://www.inyourfacemakeupart.com/

(PSA: After having your make up done, then taking it off... you'll look like yoda in all your selfies)

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The Decor

The cake, flowers, and decor all by Love is in the Air

https://www.loveisintheairevents.com/

There was not one detail unaccounted for. Everything was absolutely perfect. More perfect than I could have even imagined or dreamed up.

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Something Old, Something New...

My grandmother (my dad's mom) used to always keep a tissue tucked in her watch. This is her watch, and the tissue came in handy... I also wore the wedding bands of both sets of grandparents and my parents on my right hand.

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Getting Ready

My mother, my back bone, my friend.

Three generations of strong-willed beauty and love.

After a mother, a girl needs a best friend the most.

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The Wedding Party

Noah Lee Mahaffey

Lover of Fortnight, Youtube, and chicken nuggets. He keeps his heart inside his sleeve so you can't see it, but it's there and he accidentally lets it show sometimes. He hugs you and holds your hand, but only when you least expect it. He's the smartest in his class and dreams of being a famous youtuber or video game maker. He never goes anywhere without his camo hat and his sunglasses.

Autumn Rain Mahaffey

Lover of shopkins, roblox, and strawberries with whipped cream. Seriously the sweetest girl on the planet. She wears her heart on her sleeve, though she is quiet, she is mighty. She loves hugs and kisses and snuggling. She loves puppies and kittens and anything that looks cute. She likes pink and curling her hair and getting dirty and playing with the boys. She's a friend to all and a lover of everything. She wants to be a horse-rider when she grows up.

Kaleigh Faith Mahaffey

Lover of babies, people, and ice cream. All the personality of a sassy 25 year old woman in one tiny punch. She has the gift of making people laugh and telling them what to do. She loves other people's babies, anything that will pretend like they're her baby, and baby dolls. She wears her heart on both sleeves and loves everyone and everything, but if she doesn't she'll be the first to let you know. She wants to be a doctor or a teacher when she grows up.

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The Ceremony

The girls waiting on their cue...

When a girl just loves her daddy...

One of my favorite pictures. I love her so.

In the movie Steel Magnolias one of my favorite lines is "My favorite emotion is laughter through the tears." After the emotion, we discovered we were too fat to fit down the hall together side by side. 😂😂