Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004 - 12:27 a.m.
I got into TN Thursday morning at 9:30 am after waking at 3:30 in the morning, a few days early for my sister's wedding, just in time to try to get some key things done.
The first thing we did Thursday was go to get my hair cut. My hairdresser, Tara, is excellent and I wish teleporters existed so that I could always get my hair cut by her. So, she fixed my color up (making sure it wouldn't clash with my sister's wedding colors - see you gotta love someone like that) and cut my hair like I like it, but not too short so it wouldn't look fresh cut in photos.
We met up with Denver and I stopped at my old comic shop (now owned by one of the former, very nice, customers) and said hi, as well as the tattoo parlor to say hi and give an acquaintance a gift.
Then me and Heather headed off to try and find shoes (which we failed at but did find some cool clothes at a thrift store) and get Heather a manicure and pedicure.
That night, even though I was exhausted, I headed with Denver to go see a band, Rollo Greb. They are actually a band made up of all the members of a personal favorite of mine, Page 80, plus the drummer's brother as singer. They were excellent. Unique sound, insane amount of talent on one stage. And once again I missed the access to live music that Murfreesboro gave me.
And then, bedtime.
The next morning we got up really early again and headed out to try and find shoes for me again. This took forever, was mostly my fault, and made me feel really bad. All I wanted was to get it done quick so my poor sister could get some rest, but that didn't happen.
So instead after we found some clear heals, we headed back to the hairdressers to get started on my sister and mother's hair. It was put up in curls the night before to make the next morning a little earlier.
After that we decorated the gazebo for the next day. This turned out to be the most stressful thing we'd done. There was a wedding going on (which they had not been told of) and everyone was tired and it got tense. Another late night.
The next morning, Saturday, was the big event. And the big event starts early!
We were up at 5:30, showered, dressed and dragging everything out the door by 6:15. At the hairdressers again by 7.
There my sister and mother finished getting their hair done. My mom left to go set up while they started my make up, finished Heather's hair, and did her makeup.
Tara did all she could to make us look great and to be sweet. She took pictures when we left and gave us extra hairspray and lipstick. Heather's hair was excellent, in an updo with curly wispies around her face.
And then we got there and started getting ready. Most of that was no big deal.
The wedding was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
We walked through the grass (and some gravel - thought I'd trip) to the gazebo. It was decorated with white drapes and flowers. Heather looked like something out of a story book.
The ceremony was wonderful. The priest talked about them and how they were. Then they exchanged vows they'd written themselves. Both sets were wonderful and sweet, but Heather got choked up and then so did many of the rest of us. It was short ceremony but it was beautiful and heartfelt and celebrated by friends and family. And then we took photos.
After that there were a few hours until the reception. I spent it at my mom's house where most of her family ended up congregated. That was nice except that my grandfather holed himself up in a room.
Then everyone walked down the road much like a parade to Matt's parents' house for the reception.
There was so much food! Enough to feed more than twice the amount of people that showed up, but it was all yummy. And it was also really nice and lots of fun. But by the end of the night I was ready to crash hard. And I would've slept really well if not for Heather and Matt's codependant cats sleeping on my chest and throat.
But I was rested enough Sunday morning to have breakfast with Dudley before he left.
Then I headed to my mom's and spent some time and went through my things. I miss my things sometimes and feel weird about keeping stuff that I don't even have near me to use.
After that I spent the evening with Denver and Tillman before packing and getting some sleep.
Monday I headed home.
It was a whirlwind trip and I didn't get to see as many people as I would have wanted to ideally, but it was great to be there for this.
