wedding day highlights

Kevin and I got married on March 3, 2012. That's 8 days ago! It was such a weird feeling to know that it was only a year and a half ago when he proposed, and that waiting felt like forever! It seemed like the wedding day would never come. But all of a sudden, there I was standing in front of him saying our vows; he was the same 14 year-old boy I had become close friends with, but he was also the man I had fallen in love with because of his love for Christ.

I'll go ahead and blog about the day itself, and the many highlights of what happened! Kevin and I had planned to get married around 2:30 pm, but many of my bridesmaids/wedding attendants decided to get ready with hair and make up around 9:30am in El Segundo at the pastor's home next to the church.

• Jamielyne and Zerah (my best friends and maids-of-honors) came over early and we rode over from La Mirada to El Segundo. Man oh man that was a wonderful way to start off the day. One minute we are just talking about Jamie's tan extravaganza and about Zerah joking that she had been bitten by bees, and then the next we were praying to God for blessing and crying all over each other HHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! So cute and so feminine. Put three girls together and estrogen's effects tend to strengthen! But it was so nice to hear them pray and just to reminisce on the days where we hung out and met and how God had taught us so much over the years! We really couldn't believe the day arrived!
• I got my nails done with Auntie Susie (the wife of the pastor who married us, who also happens to be the uncle of Kevin) early in the morning and we just shared stories and got to know each other better. If I ever want to become like a specific woman, and trust me, I have many great role models, she is definitely one of them! She is just a bundle of joy and love and always so encouraging. Also, her marriage to Uncle John is nothing short of amazing and romantic. Whenever I see them together, they are just overflowing with love for each other and I can see how they constantly look for ways to encourage one another. It's so refreshing! But anyways, I loved getting my nails done with her! 
• Arriving back to the home where we got ready, most of my bridesmaids were there and everyone was laughing and getting ready. We also started to listen to some music. Of course, like any other wedding day, a couple of things happen that were not planned. And there were a few things going on with all of our dresses! But as I got my hair and make up done, the bridesmaids gathered together in one room and tried to fix a few things, and I got to be alone with God. I was really overwhelmed with the reality of the day and kind of started to hyperventilate lol but I was silent and just thinking and praying. The woman doing my make up and hair was like, "Are you okay??" and I kept saying yes. Man what a feeling! I was going to get married!!!!
• After I was done with hair and make up, I walked around and saw my cousin Joan/Lourdes/Baon and started to cry because she is like a sister to me, and she was always there for me growing up. She instantly screamed "Your make up your make up!!" and cried too. hahahhaa oh man I'm such a girl and Auntie Susie came and was teary and gave me a kleenex! I was like, "Oh, I got it" and trained my tears to stay in my eyes lol 
• As I got ready to walk down the aisle, I started to cry again (what a surprise..NOT). I looked over to my left... and lo and behold, my dad was crying too!!!! That didn't help with my crying hahaha but it was sweet. I never expected him to cry or be emotional, he was always joking around and never really sentimental. Kevin later said when he saw my dad crying he was also taken aback. Another sweet moment of the night was dancing with my dad. He expressed regretting not being there for me for my childhood. I told him it was okay, that what really mattered to me was that he would come to know Jesus Christ! Then he laughed haha He was so sweet to me and really just present and there for me. During our Father Daughter dance we also had a sweet talk. While he wasn't the best father, I know he loves me. He shows it in weird ways but I know he cares and his actions toward me on that specific day really was a cherry on top of a great day.
• WALKING DOWN THE AISLE TOWARD KEVIN. Woooooooooooooooo!!!! I really wanted to look beautiful and perfect and pristine! hahahaha yah right. I was crying the entire way down the aisle! I was so touched by my father's sweetness, and then I saw Kevin and everything flew out the window. I couldn't believe I was getting closer to my soon to be husband!!!  Also, we had decided that the song to play while walking down the aisle was "Refiner's Fire." I always loved that song growing up, and what better song to play than one dealing with sanctification? God had sanctified us before, in order to bring us to one another, and He will continue to sanctify us, making us more in the image of His Son Jesus Christ through this marriage! Just so much symbolism there. I loved it! 
• The personal vows. I loved hearing Kevin do his vows!!!! Oh my goodness so sweet and I am so humbled to be loved by him. He is my best friend and love of my life!!!!
• The reception was great, but not gonna lie, after the ceremony I just wanted to leave and be with Kevin! HAHA! I had a lot of fun just seeing many friends and family there celebrating with us though! But there were a few things about the reception that truly stand out!
• The welcome speeches from my dad and mom! I love my parents! My mom was so nervous the whole day. Poor thing...she couldn't even make the rehearsal dinner the night before because she broke out into hives and swelling and vomited a lot! She just had an emotional breakdown that affected her physically :( but her speech was adorable and very genuine! and then my favorite line of my dad's speech: "There isn't a more happy man in this entire room." referring to himself, and that meant a lot. I'm a true Daddy's girl at heart. 
• The toasts! From Mike, my current brother-in-law, then Jamie, then Zerah, and then a surprise one from Joan!!!! They were all so great!!!! Mike's was very encouraging, and it really means a lot because I always wanted an older brother. Zerah was all the way at her table because she was so nervous. Jamie started bawling and had a few facebook stalker moments lol and Joan, my older cousin/sister's speech was amazing bc it was funny and heartfelt with many memories! Jamie and Zerah both mentioned how when they first met me I had a bandana/side way cap with hoop earrings and chains LOL!!! Oh 90's, you'll always have a special place in my heart!
• and last but not least.............KUYA NOLIE!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!! He was hilarious!!! Lots of people asked us if we hired him because he was so funny and entertaining! I don't know how he got away with dancing to the whole song of Macarena during the money dance, or how he could lead so many people during the dance party! Our DJ even made sure that Kuya Nolie couldn't get hold of a microphone! You could hear the DJ say "All right ...everyone onto the dance floor!" in his smooth voice, then a couple of seconds later: "OKAY EB'RYBAWDY COME PALLO ME!!! TO DA RIGHT TO DA RIGHT TO DA LEFT TO DA LEFT" and the DJ freaked out and was like "WHAT?!?!? HOW DID HE ?? I HAVE ALL MY MICS RIGHT HERE!!! OMG...DID HE ...NO WAY! HE BROUGHT HIS OWN MIC!!" HAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHHA Oh my gosh words cannot express...so good!
• At the end of the night, Kevin and I just walked out next door to the Maya hotel next to the restaurant, and it was just sweet to be alone with him. I couldn't really believe the day had ended! I was just so relieved and thankful that we were married. It was perfect weather too, looking over at the view of downtown Long Beach and the water! I am so in love with my husband!!!!

So that was my very long entry about my highlights of the wedding day! I'm probably missing a few more details but it's already getting late. I am so happy to be married to Kevin! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!