I know, I know...I'm a little delayed on posting anything about the wedding but you must understand; I have no computer, and well, I've been a little busy.
Honeymoon. Right?
It is official. I now have a husband. Much to Lorin's dads dismay there was no leg wrestling matches or anything that included fighting over my hand in marriage. It came as no surprise to me, no-one that had read our announcement in the local newspapers came forward to protest this union (paying one off handsomely works!...).
Thus upon our return in the death-defying chicken bus from La ciudad de Guatemala I rushed off to do those typical bride duties. Retrieve my dress from it's secret location (Dad and Jeanne's room), pick up bunches of flowers from the local mercado (my negotiating skills had much improved as only $15.00 USD got me loads of Gerber daises, eucalyptus and some other local pretty little flowers) and final take a shower and prepare myself.
This really just meant me trying to rub off all my peeling skin so I didn't look THAT bad in my strapless dress.
Once I had done that I settled down with Jeanne (my stand in maid of honor) with a glass of wine and waited.
However, as we were settling down we suddenly heard the noise that no bride wants to hear; the cracking of thunder followed by a sky full of lightening. And, as you can imagine all followed by pounding rain. I'm SURE that sheets of rain an hour before your wedding is good luck. I think I've told a bride or two that before (Rachel Hoff, am I right?)
(jardine, before the rains)
So I looked out the beautiful wood adorned window and saw the men dressed in their Mayan outfits running around to move all the covered chairs, tables, candles and whatever else was out in the jardine (garden) to safety. Above me I heard the big tables that had been set up so beautifully on the roof-top terrace being drug into what I would assume would be a dry environment. A few seconds later came the ringing phone, "Seniorita, una pregunta..." she said...I knew what her question was to be, could we move the wedding. Without hesitation, I said, "yes, I understand...I hear/see the rain". After all, I too did not want to be sitting in the pouring rain saying my Spanish vows. Thus, our beautiful garden/roof-top terrace wedding was moved into the "salon".
Shortly thereafter came the knock at the door; it was Lorin asking Jeanne, in a somewhat shaky voice, "How is she (Heidi) doing?". I'm sure his thought was the rain had pushed me over the edge. But, for whatever reason I was as calm as calm could be. What rain I said? And, continued to drink my wine.
If that was the worst that could happen, what could I really be upset about?
So, about 20 minutes later I was walking through the courtyard and into the Salon to marry my husband.
I could hear what seemed like 8000 camera's clicking which was funny since there was only 15 of us. But, apparently someone was rather camera happy?
As I walked in, I saw the biggest smile that all of you could only imagine emerge from Lorin's face. In part I'm sure relief that I made it and didn't steal a burro to run off, and in part because a little make-up, a little sun and a pretty dress can make any guy smile.
And together we sat down, behind the required desk. And above us in full regala stood Astrid (the lawyer) speaking to us in Spanish about commitment, and love, and rules of marriage (read from the Guatemalan book on marriage). Then she said, "you may kiss the bride". Confusion set in for both of us, kiss the bride...? We had not even said our vows? Apparently in Guatemala you get to kiss before the vows and rings are exchanged (which she slightly explained under her breath). So we kissed, somewhat awkwardly and with some serious concerns plaguing our minds whether this was the end. But it wasn't. She continued in Spanish and then asked us to read our Spanish lines to each other, and again in English so those who only knew English could hear what we were saying. The rings were exchanged and viola...more kissing. Then she asked for a witness to sign our documents and then the most beautiful thing happened. Everyone came forward and signed as a witness. Apparently as many witness as you want can sign, and everyone in our group did so...although I did turn to Isais and say, "you better get up here and sign this thing". And so he did (my motherly voice comes in handy at times).
(the rings before giving them away)
(us exchanging vows and rings)
We were so happy to see that everyone with us so eagerly to support this union. And with such strong emotions.
Then we were presented to all.
We followed up with an amazing dinner with drinks, and dessert. And shared toasts with all, re-stepping our last week with everyone and all of us so glad that the journey had allowed us to meet one another and share this occasion together.
Then after the good-bye's and good lucks in walked five other fellow volunteers to take us out for a night cap and a show of congratulations. A perfect ending to a perfect marriage.
Thankfully my now husband enjoyed himself so much that he is willing to do it all over again, May 8th. In his words, "I'd marry you as many times as you want". In my words, "does that mean I get fancy dress, fancy room and a trip to Guatemala?".
So yes, it did happen. And although it wasn't quite the same as I had had it pictured in my head, it was still the best day of my life. Lest all of you. As much as I would have loved to have so many of you there, by my side, I still luckily enough had my best friend next to my side.
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