this girl is tired - from the toes to my hair.

but I would do it all again - over and over - because I never want this feeling inside to go away.

It started at 5am with showers and fixing hair and rushing to the makeup parlor. Starbucks was a followed must and we rushed home to load cars and get to the church. "Bride's time" was the phrase for the day as we rushed to get everything done since we had managed to get 45 minutes behind on the schedule. Dresses and bustles and many camera flashes - and one rule - "don't look at the photographer", well, at least not unless they told you to! Cameron was the most entertaining little ring-boy - and Kaylee was an adorable flower-girl. Tears, heavy bouquets, laughter, uncomfortable shoes, toasts, more laughter, hugs, Shirley Temples, laughter.

It may have been a long day, but looking back on it and thinking of all the things that could have gone wrong, I realize that it was a pretty splendid day. I did forget my glass - but I toasted with the Champagne bottle! We all had to say goodbye - but "friends are friends forever when the Lord's the Lord of them." I may have wanted to go to bed upon our return to Newberg - but the festivities that followed were well worth staying up for!

There was a walk down 6th Avenue to somewhere in Newberg (that I didn't know existed!) for the Old Fashioned Festival. It was a mini-carnival; complete with parade (earlier in the day) pancake feed (at the firehouse this morning) rides and elephant ears. The best part though - incredible firework show; with Meaghan's photo-taking-abilities and Jon and Robbie's commentary. Jon was telling us that the history of the Festival was based on Quackers who had great Fashion Sense way back in 1890. =)

And we ended up back the in the Penn Apartment - a place so dear to my heart. Friends, laughter, Karaoke, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. I'm filled with so much joy that I could explode - but I'm surrounded with this overwhelming sense of peace. I feel like I am where I belong and I don't want to think about having to leave - even if I know it's what I have to do.