Slow Down!

My best friend got married a couple months ago, and though we were at his wedding, we barely had a chance to see him all night. So a couple weeks ago, we met up with him and his new wife for dinner and drinks. The first thing they said to us about their wedding day - "It goes by so quickly!" That's what we've been hearing from absolutely everyone. Liz told me that she basically remembers saying I do, messing up the end of her vows, waiting to come into the reception, and their first dance. Otherwise, the whole day is a total blur.

Seems to be a pretty common thing. Months and months of planning, thousands of dollars, and it's all over in the blink of an eye.

So I'm making a vow - right here, right now - to try to mentally (and photographically) document every single moment of the day.

I want to remember what I feel like while I'm sitting in the chair at the salon, getting my hair done, surrounded by the 6 most important women in my life (my mom and my bridal party).

I want to remember how I feel the first time I step into my dress, pick up my bouquet, and look in the mirror - finally, actually, really a bride.

I want to remember the emotion of standing in the back of the church with my dad, waiting to walk down the aisle and see Matt standing at the front, waiting to become husband and wife.

I want to remember seeing Matt for the first time, all handsome in his tux.

I want to hold on forever to the feeling of kissing my husband for the first time and being announced as Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Iacavone.

I want to never forget swaying on the dance floor to our song, "Chasing Cars," feeling like we're the only two people in the whole wide world.

I want to remember dancing with my father, knowing that even though I'm not his little girl anymore, I'll always be his daughter, and there is nothing more special than that in the world.

I want to savor the moment of dancing with my girls to our special song, reveling in the fact that these girls have been with me through the best and worse times of my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I want to take a moment and look around at all the people there to celebrate with us and remember how loved we are.

Every single moment, every single smile, every single tear... I want to remember all of it. I have been looking forward to this day for months, if not years, and I refuse to let it just slip through my fingers. I will hold on to anything and everything, and I will lock it all away in a corner of my brain that I can run to when times get tough and I need a pick-me-up. Because what better pick-me-up could possibly exist than looking back at the happiest day of your life?