Stacie's Wedding

Anyone that knows me well, knows I had one best friend all through high school and post high school. Stacie Stevens has been my closest friend since 8th grade. We went to college together, ran the river together for a few summers, and spent every second we possibly could together in our younger years. I got married rather young, about nine years ago. So our lives have gone two different ways since then. Although we've gone two separate ways, I've still always considered her my best friend. She has made such an incredible effort to be part of my life and my family's life over these past nine years, so we have remained close. I know that she has so many friends in her life...TONS! I'm sure there are many, many people that say "oh yeah, she's one of my best friends!" but let me tell you all, that she is my best friend. I know she has lots of others, but she is the one person in my life that I have all my favorite memories with, I went to college with her, I told her EVERYTHING and still do! She knows me inside and out. She makes me laugh harder than anyone in this world. I honestly love her to pieces. So yes, she has lots of best friends, but she is mine! So I was so excited to be able to go to her wedding in San Diego. This was the highlight of the trip for me. My favorite conversations I'd have with Stacie pre-marriage is when she'd say "I met someone..." I'd get so excited and want every detail of their meeting, how, when, what...etc. I'd always make her dish out all the goods. When it didn't work out, she'd always say "sorry to get you excited about nothing." I always told her I want every detail regardless. I couldn't WAIT for her to say "I think this might be it." When she met JJ, she was so excited and told me right away something was different about him. I wouldn't leave her alone and was constantly asking her how things were going. It was so fun to meet him and see their connection. He is such a great guy. Stacie deserves nothing but the best. JJ is seriously so dang cool. I'll explain more later...

They honestly are so happy! They were both beaming.

She is such a beautiful bride!! Everything about her hair, dress, flowers, jewelry, it all was perfect.

Here is her cute family (minus Mitch, on a mission in Germany). I spent so many hours at their house when I was younger. I seriously considered them my second family. In the picture, Jake and his wife Lindsay, Gary, JJ, Stacie, Margaret, Scott and Nate.

Ashley, Brianne, Stacie and me
Ashley and Dave came from North Carolina for the wedding. It was so fun to spend the day with them too. I realized how much I miss them! They are so much fun, and made the day so fun too. We were able to spend a little bit of time with them on Thursday at Disneyland as well.

Me and Matt

for more wedding (professional) pictures, check out her photographer's blog:

http://michellesallayphotography.blogspot.com/

So it was awesome. Hands down fantastic! I was able to say a few words at the dinner that night. It was something I stressed about because I knew I could go on and on about her, but I knew that'd make her a little awkward and her family bored! They already know how great she is, and they'd rather have funny stuff said! So I was reading through all my journals to try and get a few stories I could share about her. I have the worst memory so I was hoping my journals would pull through. I had so much fun reading about our lives together. She is seriously so funny. After only a couple months of us first hanging out, I read that I had peed my pants from laughing so hard. That was the first, but most definitely not the last. With in a few more months, I had peed again. We went to Lake Powell in 9th grade together, and yes, again I wet my pants from laughing so hard. She can get me laughing like no one else. I had story after story of funny things she said or did. I realized quickly though, what a good friend she always has been. I am amazed she gave me so many chances. I read story after story of me me me and all they boys I liked or didn't like. I was selfish and so darn boy crazy. How could she even handle that? She really is an amazing person, who is so forgiving. I am so grateful for her, and for her friendship. I can't wait to get to know JJ better. After the SLC reception, I went to her parent's house after and hung out a bit. I was laughing so hysterically at them. They are so cute, so in love, and so dang funny. I just love JJ for Stacie. What a great pair they make! As I said earlier, she truly deserves the best. Many of the people that spoke about JJ at the dinner had such great things to say. It shed a little more light on the type of person JJ is. I know he will make her so happy, and will work so hard, and is a loyal guy. Stacie is a lucky gal, and he is a lucky guy. They really are so perfect for each other!

Matt and I both had such a great time, both at the San Diego and SLC reception. The Stevens know how to party, and Stacie knows how to dance! I have always told Matt that Stacie has good moves. He believed me, but didn't realize how good of moves I was talking about! After we left the dinner in San Diego, Matt said "you always told me Stacie could bust a move, but man that girl can dance!" It's true, I wish I would have caught it on my camera and posted it on here. She is amazing!