Our day.

I woke up too early. But really, it's completely excusable taking into account what day it was. Just my wedding day, no big deal. No wait, very big deal. Biggest deal of my life to date.

I stared at the ceiling. It was already light out and the sun cast cool shadows from the lacy curtains on the ceiling and wall. I didn't really think about anything--just basked in knowing what was coming so soon. It was a surface basking. Nothing had still quite sunk in yet. I wasn't used to Brian and I being in the same country yet, so the fact we were actually finally getting married today certainly hadn't sunk in. But time moves on whether you're ready or not.

Ellen didn't have to do too much to my hair again except pin it back up. The natural-toned makeup was quickly and lightly applied, and the fake eyelashes once again glued on. I felt exactly the way I dreamed of feeling on my wedding day: beautiful.

We drove to Boston, me and Mom and Corinne and Dulce and Brian. Given the earliness of the hour, most people caught a little shut eye. I just held Brian's hand.

Brian and I got to sit for awhile in the celestial room. Awhile is relative; I have no idea how long it actually was, but I felt like it had been the perfect amount of time when we were asked if we were ready to go to the sealing room.

From here on out, I admit, details are a bit fleeting. Walking into the sealing room, I saw Ellen and Ashley, which triggered the tears that turned into a continuous stream until I returned the the bridal room after the ceremony. Ellen had forgotten her temple recommend (same as me at her wedding!) and Ashley had been really sick the day before, so to see them both there, along with my other sisters and parents and extended family and Brian's family, was really emotional. This was my eternal family in this room! I didn't need to believe the plan of salvation was true; in that moment, in that sealing room, I knew it. I knew I could be with my family forever. I knew that Brian and I could be together forever if we kept the covenants we were about to make. The tears in Brian's eyes signaled to me that he felt it, too. And so I cried, fairly hard, during my grandfather's words that bound us together, while I said, "Yes," and especially while my family and his family walked by and hugged us on their way out.

I had the bridal room to myself. Mom helped me into my dress, Ellen fixed me up again (thank goodness), and Grandma positioned Brian at the end of the hall so he could see me right when I walked out. Of course, he couldn't just watch me walk down the hall to him; he quickly came by my side and escorted me out of the temple, where cheers and camera flashes awaited our first official kiss as husband and wife.

And the rest is history. After a lot of pictures and subway at the luncheon and final goodbyes to loved ones, we got dropped off as husband and wife at the cruise terminal. I'm not sure when it will sink in that I'm finally married to Brian. It's been three months, and I still get sad every morning when he leaves at 7:30 and excited every night around 7 anticipating his return from school. I even catch myself admiring my ring like I just got engaged. I suppose I thought eventually I would be accustomed to being Brian's wife. It's the status quo now, and I usually adjust quickly. But not this time, and I don't mind a bit! While every day isn't roses and gumdrops, every day is an opportunity to serve and love my other half, and I can't imagine being happier. Except maybe if we had a kitchen table and chairs.