The story of Bob and I is the cornerstone for the story of our whole family. On a snowy day in January I married the man of my dreams but even on that day there was no way that I could imagine how we would grow and change and fall more in love. I would have never guessed there would be five children in our home or even that we would have a beautiful home filled with love and laughter. All of the blessings that came from that day were in God's time and in God's way. The things Bob and I prayed for on that day are very different from the things that we were blessed with and at times it felt like God was taking his own sweet time with us. Thank you, God, for taking your sweet time with us! We needed it!
On the morning of our wedding Molly wanted nothing to do with anything but her beautiful white dress and her loud shoes. I couldn't do her hair or even wipe he nose. It was perfect - she smiled and walked all through the church clomping in her shoes!
Peter was the man of the house until Bob came along. He loved Bob from the moment he met him. On the day we got engaged Peter piped up from the backseat of the car, "Can everyone know he is my daddy now?" It wasn't a matter of getting the kids used to the idea - it was just when we could tell everyone else knew. Bob was Peter's Daddy from the moment he met him - he knew before I did!
Meg and I have always been extraordinarily close so when it came time for my wedding we came up with a new title for her - My Bridesmaid Extraordinairre. She was responsible for getting Peter and Molly down the aisle - they all looked beautiful!
KK found the bridesmaid dresses at the Gap for $11. They were exactly what I wanted and completed the vision of my wedding perfectly. Kk had to go to 10 stores and collect reciepts and get sizes. It was crazy but she did it lovingly and without complaint - at least to me! Mrs. Holleran made the shawls at the last minute when we realizes how cold it was going to be.
Our "Family Candle". Auntie Ann wrote a special prayer and got us this beautiful candle to represent our coming together as a family forever!
My sunshine between two aunties!
Uncle Pat was my Best Man. There was no one else that I wanted to stand up for me - he is my brother, my friend and one of the best people that I know!
My gorgeous bridesmaids - They all looked so beautiful!
Bob and I - finally husband and wife. Bob and I decided to memorize our vows so that we could just say them to each other without having to repeat them. I remember every word of them.
I, Kathleen Mary Harding, take you, Robert Allan Wheeler to be my husband. I will love you and honor you in good times and bad, in sickness and health, forsaking all others for as long as we both shall live.
On this day I remember thinking that there was no way that Bob could possibly know what he was getting himself into. He knew, he was ready and he has been amazing! You can't really see it but 18 inches of snow were falling behind us!
I danced with my dad to "You raised me up!" Everyone assumed that my dad and I would be weeping messes when we danced. Anyone who knows us knows how close we are but on my wedding day I guess there was nothing sad in that dance with my dad - only happiness and love. Some women probably think that they are leaving their dad's in a way but for me I had complete confidence in my realtionship with my dad and how strong it was. I knew that we were only moving to another level and I just reveled in his love for me and his support of my life! My parents have been wonderful examples of love for Bob and I as we have built our family - they love us unconditionally and with a generosity that is unending. We are so lucky to have them!
The kids could not wait for the cake part - the whole day was coming to an end and they were getting tired but they had a wonderful time and Bob and I loved how much a part of the wedding they were!
Dancing with Peter. Bob and I took a few days by ourselves in Newport Rhode Island after the wedding and then we picked up the kids and spent another few days as a family in newport. I happened to catch the flu the day after our wedding and was as miserable as I have ever been in my whole entire life. As I started feeling better the kids started getting colds - it was quite a honeymoon but no less eventful than you would expect from our family!
The last dance! I remember thinking that I was the luckiest person in the world while we danced! I had a beautiful wedding, healthy kids, family that loved me and I now never had to live anothe day without Bob! Now that is perfection!
GNM - ILY!
