Thirteen Years

It's been thirteen years since I married little twenty-three year old Damien Michael Swendsen. 

Thirteen years since:

• I almost wore a watch on my wedding day until it was deemed a little un-fancy. 
• I donned a Revlon lipstick shade named, Rum Raisin. 
• Lani played a prank on us when she pretended that her bridesmaid dress didn't fit.  She actually found a really similar dress which was way too small for her.  She walked out and I about died.  It wouldn't zip up the back at all.  All I remember was Marlene saying, "We can just put a big piece of lace back there."  Then the laughter burst out from each and every one of Damien's family members.  They got us good!  It took me a while to find it funny.
• Damien's friends tried to capture him on the eve of our wedding and throw him into Lake Washington.  They asked my Mom for a flat sheet and duct tape.
• I cried myself to sleep worrying about Damien's friends' antics and wondering if Damien was going to survive to see me at the altar the following day. 
• Gina tried to calm me down and ended up singing me to sleep.  True story.
• I went to the hair salon with my Mom and sisters and prepped for the big day!  Mom even brought enough bagels, cream cheese, and juice to feed an army!
• I had to put a can of cold Coke on each eye at the salon to reduce swelling on my eyes from the crying fest the night before.
• My sisters, friends, Mom, and cousins sang Going to the Chapel in harmony as we got into the limo in my parent's driveway.
• I received a dozen roses, a new watch (that I didn't wear), and a beautiful card from my husband-to-be.
• Damien and his brother Mark, recreated an amazing picture from my parent's wedding where my Dad and his best man (John Gordon) pointed to John's watch like they were late for the wedding.  Classic.
• I got ready with all of my favorite girls in the back of the church.  There was a lot of laughter and the best overall feeling back there. 
• My mom made Laura and Natalie's junior bridesmaid dresses.  She is so ridiculously talented.  And no, she did not do Natalie's hair that day.  Natalie went to the Star Wars convention down the street to get the Princess Leia special.
• Trying not to laugh when the photographer suggested that all of my bridesmaids put their flowers around my face to make a flower frame.  It's sooo not a good picture but it's too funny not to share (below).
• Hearing the congregation laughing hysterically at our ring bearers Courtland and Seamus.  I couldn't see anything but I could hear the laughter.  Now watching the video, these two little guys were arguing which way to hold the ring pillows while loving the attention!
• The doors to the back of the church opened and I lost my breath.  It was such an overwhelming experience to see Damien at the end of the aisle and all of our friends and family looking back at me.  I promised myself I would remain calm but when I rewatch the video, I am taking deep breaths over and over like I just ran wind sprints. 
• My Dad whispered to Damien at the end of the aisle to 'Go out there and make them remember who you are' which is a special thing my Dad used to always say to me before big games. 
• We had to remind Fr. Art and our Eucharistic Ministers that we hadn't received communion.  They gave it to the whole church but somehow- we were forgotten.  We did get it but phew, that was close!
• When we were taking pictures after the wedding, someone joked that the bridesmaids should put a flower frame around Damien's face.  I've yet to see him turn down a dare!
• We rode in a limousine to our reception and my new husband told me about thirty times how beautiful I looked.  My heart was so full and I was so happy!
• We arrived at the reception to the loudest hoots and hollers from our family and friends.  What a great party!
• We noticed that the reception coordinator put out a sheet cake on our wedding cake table.  Our plan was to get a pretty cake and then supplement the cake for our 190 guests with a sheet cake that was to stay in the back.  Nothing says classy like a sheet cake on a cake table at a wedding.  At least the florist had the wherewithal to put a few roses on it. 
• I danced with my Dad to Unforgettable (which was my parents' first dance song) and we both whispered half way through, 'This song is too long!' 
• I was overwhelmed by the amazing toasts that Mark (best man), Jill (maid of honor), Uncle Bob Hard (in Italian), and Damien's Grandfather Carl gave (EVO!).  They were all so beautiful.
• Leaving the reception as all of our guests came out front to watch us drive away and wish us well. 
• Waking up the next morning next to my husband!
• Meeting my Dad in the lobby in the morning.  He came there to drive us back to their house for brunch and to open gifts.  As Damien settled the bill at the front desk, I stood back with my Dad (who had my wedding dress draped over his arms) and reflected on the previous night. He looked at me and said, "Last night was absolutely amazing."  I thought that what he said was sweet but the person next to me did not.  I think they thought that my Dad and I got married.  He guy flinched when my Dad said that to me.  It was so classic!
• We arrived at Seatac airport, giddy with anticipation and ready for our flight to Maui, Hawaii!  What a surprise it was to see Damien's family one gate away flying back to the Bay Area! 
• We flew to Hawaii with the biggest smiles on our faces.  Married, at last . . . at the ripe age of twenty-three.  We were so young, just babies (some would say).  But I really believe that when you meet the right person, you just know.  83, 53, 23 years old . . . when you know you know.

Happy 13th Anniversary to the man of my dreams, to my best friend, my personal comedian, and my one and only.  Thirteen years was a breeze.  Fun times, difficult times, but my love for you has never wavered.  I am so blessed to have found you and thank God everyday that I can share my life with you.  Happy Anniversary, Damien!  And a special thank you to all of you who were there on our wedding day or have supported us along the way.  We truly value the support and love we feel from you on a daily basis. 

***Editorial Note:  I am bitter that I got married before the digital age.  We have wedding pictures and the negatives.  That is all!  These pictures were taken with my cell phone because frankly, I am too lazy to scan them.  Enjoy all these pictures of two little kids getting married!