my wedding day was everything i had ever imagined it to be. as my mother helped me into my dress, the reality of what was about to happen set in. but it wasn’t until i saw my father that i really began to get emotional. i posed for numerous portraits before the ceremony, and as i was looking out the chapel window, i saw my dad dressed in his tuxedo out of the corner of my eye, and tears began to trickle down my face. my photographer snapped away, trying to get the tears and capture the emotion. when i posed in the front of the chapel, my dad came over to give me a hug quickly and tell me that he loves me, and i could hear the camera snapping away as we hugged and i cried.

from what i’ve been told, the wedding was absolutely beautiful and perfect. i don’t remember much. i remember hearing the string quartet play familiar classical pieces — my favorites — that i had chosen.

i remember sobbing as my dad walked me down the aisle, then kissed my cheek as he handed me over to joe, who whispered, “i’ll take care of her.”

i remember how handsome and sexy my husband looked.

i remember my two grandfathers giving their heartfelt homilies.

i remember making it through the first sentence of the vows i had written, then breaking down into tears, unable to finish.

i remember joe and i squeezing each other’s hands three times — to say “i love you” — often during the ceremony. it’s a gesture we’ve done throughout our relationship when we aren’t able to speak to each other.

i remember how emotional i felt as joe and i were alone on the dance floor for the first dance.

i remember my grandfather telling me he had never seen me look more beautiful or radiant.

i remember my parents, in teary voices, telling me how proud and happy they are for me.

i remember almost being dumped off my chair as my brothers and two other men held me up during the chair dance.

i remember my throw-away bouquet flying straight toward my 13-year-old niece right after my brother-in-law shouted, “don’t throw it to her!”

i remember trying to aim the bouquet for my best friend, julisa.

i remember the drive around chattanooga in our limo, and crying as i read a letter my dad had written to me.

i remember the love i felt, and will always feel, for my husband.

i didn’t see some of my wedding ceremony, but from what i’ve heard, it went perfectly and flawlessly. i remember telling joe it was the wedding of my dreams.