Wrapping up the summer of all summers

I've started this post several different times and can't seem to find the right words to describe all that has happened.

at Multnomah Falls

Jacob the Island Boy came to home from medical school for a 6 week summer break. I went to Texas to meet his dad and drive him up to Utah, then a few days later we drove to Newport, Oregon for a family reunion of mine (insert a round of strep throat in here). 5,000 miles and over 50 hours in the car together (and with my girls), we realized it was time to start planning a wedding. Naturally. No formal proposal, no hoopla, just let's get this thing done and get on with what we've been wanting for months anyway.

Newport, OR. Not sure what the serious face is all about.

We talked it over with the bishop, the stake president, and my parents extensively. We pored over the calendar and everyone's schedules. I was starting a new job with a training schedule, Jacob had to leave the country on the 11th (sob), my parents were starting work and school, Jacob wouldn't be back until just before Christmas, etc. The four of us (Jacob, me, parents) reviewed every option we could think of and how it would affect everyone. We knew we could pull off a wedding in a few weeks, but it may look like we're trying to elope (an option I recommend anyway) and it may offend people who didn't have enough notice to come. We knew that waiting until Christmas would mean a December anniversary, wedding plans while I'm starting my first year of teaching and while Jacob was out of the country, and bad weather. On and on like this with every option. It seems like if you are trying to get married to the right person, and you are trying to do it the right way, that things would work out in an obvious, clear way.

Crabbing at Waldport. Those crabs really are alive in this pic. 

Jacob Day--I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. 

There was no clear option. We kept coming back to the option of this summer but it seemed to far-fetched. My mom finally said, Why don't we just get it done now while we all have some time? It'll give me something to do for the next few weeks anyway. My dad suggested posting an announcement on Facebook and trying to involve as many people as we could. After making the final decision, we called temples and set the date. We were on the phone day and night trying to call family and make arrangements. After the decision was made, the plans fell into place amazingly well. I couldn't have pictured it better. My neighbor offered (practically begged) to do the reception, Jacob's family wanted to do flowers, a dinner, and a few other things. It was a week+ of long hours and hard work, but it in the end it turned out nearly perfect. And I'm not one to gloss things, but really...it was nearly perfect. My parents were on board right from the beginning and put in tireless amounts of work on our behalf. Is there ever a way to repay or show enough gratitude???

I know that the last-minute wedding plans were upsetting to some of my family and friends. I may never hear the end of it and if you fall into this category (probably all of you), I hope you can someday forgive me. I will work hard to a)never do that again and b)beg your forgiveness as long as is necessary.

I want to say a few words about his "proposal". We went and bought rings-- cheap ones that we could actually afford and fit into (I honestly really love mine). I made a comment that night along the lines of, "It's about time for me to wear that ring." He said, "Oh yeah, we should do the proposal."So later I went to brush my teeth, I'm standing there in pajamas and he gets on one knee and says something like, "Will you marry me? I promise to always love you," except that I'm laughing too hard to notice the exact phrasing because...I'm brushing my teeth and I'm in pajamas.

Also taken in Newport. None of us knew at the time that these would turn into engagement pics.

And before I post this thing, I must say a few words of complete, humbling, speechless gratitude. I honestly cannot even think of the right thing to say that would describe how thankful I feel for the people around me that gave so much time to helping us put together a quick wedding. They were so willing and so happy about it. I've been wracking my brain to try and think of a way to show how grateful I am. I will think of it....even though no matter what I do will be insignificant to how I feel. I want the world to know that my gratitude is deep.

I don't have the official photos of the wedding right now, so I'm putting in some pics that other people have taken with their phones. The day itself was really beautiful and quite hot. I rented a dress that made me feel like a queen. Jacob looked amazing in a tux and my friend Tiffany did hair that morning. All weddings have a few glitches--a good friend wasn't able to come inside the temple at the last minute and delayed the ceremony (love ya, Mind), we got some heat exhaustion during pictures after the ceremony, and so many people came through at the reception that we couldn't do cake or a couple other things we wanted. BUT, the day ran very smoothly and we were happy, so in love, and extremely touched by the support of everyone.

Jacob doing a big happy kick jump out of the temple. 

I think my sister has a knack for taking the best pictures! So cute!

Jacob's sister is on the left. She is also a teacher and so, so nice. I inherited some great in-laws!

We spent a honeymoon weekend in Midway and Park City. I fell in love with Midway--that place is beautiful! We stayed at a bed and breakfast and went to the Arts Festival at Park City. Jacob organized the whole thing. We came home and spent a week with the girls while my parents left for a trip to Washington. I don't know that I've ever spent a week feeling so happy, content, whole.

Jacob left for his last term in Grenada one week and one day later. There may have been a few tears. That was two weeks ago, and I've had some lonely alone time to think and reflect on what the heck just happened. I feel an overwhelming sense of relief and peace. We are amazed at how well things fell into place for this and cannot thank our family and friends enough. I loved the wedding, but for us, it was never about the event itself. We knew we wanted to be together and do life as a couple and the actual wedding day was secondary to our ultimate goal. We feel stronger, more determined, more focused and more peaceful about our future.