This is the story of my trip to Camarillo for Daniel and Victoria's wedding festivities.
Although I am comfortable around most new people, outgoing and willing to converse, this was a weekend I was nervous about. An entire weekend with my boyfriend's extended family? Talk about my nightmare. I am one of those people who get extraordinarily nervous and self-conscious about how my boyfriend's family likes me and sees me. Nerve-wracking is the only word that comes to mind.
But the chance to attend a wedding? Count me in! A mini-weekend vacation with my boyfriend? Yes please! His immediate family that are so cute and funny? Of course!
The awkward rehearsal dinner with yummy bread rolls, picking up a present in the morning with Jake and all his siblings in the car bickering, I might add, and running through the rain to the store and back in a dress and heels I might add were all worth it for the big day. Up early because it was a morning wedding, I hopped in the shower. Man, is it hard sharing a bathroom with six other people! A new special dress from Gap, new heels, new jewelry - I had to look my spiffiest! The boys got all dressed up in their dress shirts and slacks, though Jake's younger sister is a tough one to convince to wear a dress or skirt, so she sported cute white skinny jeans. The whole family looked great! This is when I learned something new: People of the Nazarene sect of Protestantism don't dance. I was a bit saddened because I had imagined Jake and I dancing the night away but an afternoon of chatting with family and good food would suffice.
Cue the church. It took us a little bit to find us - kept ending up at a Mormon church instead! However, after a few phone calls and a few turns backtracking - we made it! The first words out of my mouth: "He's cheating! He shouldn't be seeing her before the wedding day!" Jake's younger brother took this wrong however, and started asking repeatedly if the groom was cheating! We had to make him promise not to say those words before getting out of the car or else there could be some trouble! We got out of the car and watched as the groom and bride happily took their couples pictures outside the church on this cool, cloudy (the rain was on and off) day.
Cue the ceremony: After signing the guestbook, we took our seats inside the cute little church. You better take me down to the little white church played in my head while we waited. All of a sudden, here comes the groom with his family. As the bridesmaids descended down the aisle along with the mother of the bride, I suddenly found myself beginning to cry. It was too beautiful. The entire process of getting married is too beautiful. I was crying because I was imagining my own daughter walking down the aisle and how much joy would be consuming me at that very moment. I also realized that if I'm ever in one of my best friends' weddings as a bridesmaid, I will be bawling. No ifs, ands, or butts about it. Traditional ceremony, no custom vows, but I enjoyed the prayers throughout - only to find myself tearing up. At least Jake's mother commented that she should have brought some tissues - weddings are always so joyful.
Cue the reception: Cutest little backyard set up I had ever seen. Snacks table with the best chocolate croissants and fruit, old fashioned glass soda bottles, and pretty teal paper lanterns decorating the yard. The lunch buffet of sandwiches and snacks was mmm delicious! Along with the cake (three different options)! Although there was no dancing, I enjoyed spending time with Jake and his family. And if I hadn't, the food would have probably been enough to sell me on the idea.
Cue funny family tradition: For the first half of the reception, Jake's dad was no where to be seen. Turns out there's a little wedding tradition in Jake's family. It is customary for a few of the father figures to sneak off during the reception to the bride and groom's home and rearrange all the furniture. And by rearrange, I mean, bed's in the family room, tables are upside down, all that craziness. At least we have a warning. Jake's mother: "If you two get married, don't let ANYONE take your keys that day!"
Cue relaxation time: Since it was a morning/early afternoon wedding we had the rest of the day to relax. Final four games were on and the boys were playing their Pokemon games. I relaxed on Jake's great uncle's couch and just learned about basketball. Later we went on a walk way out in the old orange orchards that their family used to own, tossed around a little football, and got caught in the rain. Except for the loss of a pair of ballet flats, it was perfect.
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| Daniel and Victoria's Wedding in Camarillo, CA |
"Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:14
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