The day I waited for my whole life

Okay... here is the post I have been leading up to but I've been kind of stressed to start because I know its going to take a minute and I just don't know how to put this magical day into words. So... I woke up on May 10, 2011 at about 6:30a.m. You would think that I had woke up at that time to start getting ready but I actually woke up because I was about to throw up. Sure enough I ran into the bathroom and was puking my guts out. I started to panic. There was absolutely nothing and I mean NOTHING that was going to ruin this day for me. I ran upstairs to my parents room and got my Dad. I said, "Dad you have to give me a blessing RIGHT NOW." He of course agreed to this and I felt a little better but then nerves started to kick in. I started thinking in my head "what if Blake doesn't show up!!???" "What if he doesn't come?!?" haha don't ask me why this was going through my head but never-the-less, it was. My friend Courtney came over to my parents at the butt crack of dawn to do my hair. It turned out beautiful. I couldn't have been more happy with it. Blake came to pick my up at about 8:30 and we were on our way. We were suppose to be to the temple at 9 but on our way Blake said, "Oh yeah... I gotta get gas" haha at this moment I'm like "are you kidding me dude? you didn't think of that before?" haha oh well. Traffic didn't put up with us too well down town. There was a few detours, but we finally made it. They took us to go get ready. My mom went with me to help me get dressed. This was by far one of my most favorite parts of the day. I was able to get dressed in the beautiful brides room. Once I was all dressed they had me stand with my mom in this HUGE mirror and look at myself. This was such a tender moment for the both of us and I don't think I can ever forget the way I felt standing there. I cannot remember how long it had been since the last time that I had actually felt pretty, but at this moment... I felt beautiful. No one can ever take that away from me. This was such a special moment. After this I went to find my very soon to be husband. The temple workers took Blake and I into the celestial room where we were able to just sit for a few minutes. For me, I would say that these few minutes were some of the most special minutes that I have ever had with Blake. These few minutes are something that I will always treasure and keep sacred in my heart. It was such a beautiful thing. We then did a short veil and they took us in to be sealed for time and all eternity. When I walked in, I couldn't help but become emotional when I saw all of these people who are so close to me sitting in there. I became more emotional when I saw my 91 year old Grandma sitting in there. I knew that such a great sacrifice had been made for her to be there and I have never been more grateful. I was able to kneel with my incredible husband and make the most beautiful promises to him for eternity. I have never felt more complete or happy in my entire life. After we were sealed it was time for us to go out into the world as husband and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Blake Pando. It was so great to see the rest of my family and friends all outside supporting us. We took about a million pictures and then we went to the Lion House to have lunch with everyone. The food was absolutely delicious. We had some beautiful toasts from people and we were able to just sit back and soak in everything. After the luncheon we had to rush to Noah's (the reception center) in order to get everything ready and take all the pictures in time for the reception to start. It was definitely the most stressful part of the day but everything turned out so beautiful. It was exactly what I had pictured in my head and I am so grateful for the hundreds of hours that my mom put in in-order to make it absolutely perfect and exactly what I wanted. The reception was so great. I still cannot believe the support that we had. We had an incredible turn out and I am so grateful for everyone's love and support. After the reception Blake and I went to our new house to spend our first night there. It was so wonderful to be home and with my incredible husband. Our day was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about it. All my life I have looked forward to the reception and even when I was planning the wedding I thought that the reception would by far be the funnest part, but I learned different. Nothing in this world and I mean NOTHING can beat the temple. I will always remember the way I felt that morning and how happy I was. I am so thankful that I did it that way.