The days leading up to the wedding and wedding itself were everything I had hoped they would be. My sisters threw me the most amazing bachelorette party. I had no clue what we were going to do cause they had kept it a surprise. We ended up driving to Holland Michigan to stay in a nice hotel, eat at a fancy restaurant, take pictures down by Lake Michigan, and do other crazy things that only happen at Bachelorette parties.
Just before the big day friends that I hadn't seen in a long time began to trickle in from out of town. This was one of the parts I had been looking forward to the most. Some of us hung out at a hotel two days beforehand and downstairs at my in-law’s house the night before. It was like one big Taylor reunion, plus my two sisters. Too bad it takes a wedding for all of us to get together like that.
I slept upstairs by myself in my sister-in-law Abby's old room. Praise God I was still able to sleep even with all the anxiety and excitement. I woke up to my sister Kellie coming in the room saying "Happy wedding day!" But that wasn't the only thing I woke up too. Good 'ol Aunt Flow decided to arrive as well that morning. Great timing as always. I guess that's part of the downfall of deciding against using birth control. Kyle and I had decided, even when we were just dating, that because I'm in my 30s and don't want to disrupt the hormones in my body - and well mainly because both of us felt God telling us He didn't want us to use birth control (not that it's bad or that you're a sinner if you do use it, but we just felt strongly that God didn't want US to use it), that we would just leave the timing of having kids in the Lord's hands. So there I was on my period (which usually lasts about 6-8 days in my case) the day of my wedding and throughout the whole honeymoon.
I am usually EXTREMELY emotional on the first day so I was a little concerned with how I would be able to handle everything, I mean your wedding day is already an emotional day as it is. My sisters and family can testify that it was a total miracle that I was able to make it through without being overcome by my emotions. Without the help of God I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to relax and just enjoy the day as I did.
The day began early with a delicious breakfast made by my step-father-in-law, Scott. After breakfast we all headed to the Country Club to help decorate and set things up - most of which was already done. My mother-in-law, Laury, has a gift for creating masterpieces out of flowers. All the tables where well decorated and the church looked so elegant with Lilies and rose peddles lining the aisle. The stage was perfectly lit by my own husband-to-be and the in the center were two tables - one for communion, and the other for the unity candle - both in front of another huge and beautiful display of flowers.
All of us ladies got ready at the church. Morgan did my hair and I can honestly say it was the best my hair had ever looked. I couldn't have been more pleased. My sister-in-law did my makeup to perfection and my sisters and mom carefully helped me into my wedding dress. When everyone was ready, we gathered around in a circle to pray over the ceremony. This was one of the fondest memories I have of my wedding day.
After the prayer I made my way to the altar alone where I would see Kyle for the first time. Everyone else stayed behind so we could have our own quiet, special moment together. The lights were dimly lit and I slowly walked in with the train of the dress flowing behind. There he was - my groom, my best friend, and my soon-to-be husband. He watched as I approached him and with so much love in his eyes he welcomed me to the altar with a warm hug. Over and over again he kept telling me how beautiful I looked. The photographer and God were the only ones there to witness our reunion. Soon we would be Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Strong, but not before the pictures, the crowd pouring in, and the ceremony.
The pictures were probably the most stressful part of the day. Some arrived late and unbeknownst to me, Laury's dress ripped. I wondered where my mother-in-law went but I didn't find out till after our honey moon that my friend Kaiti was in the woman's room with her sowing up the dress. Guests began to arrive as we were finishing up pictures outside. We had to hurry so that people wouldn't see me in my dress before walking down the aisle.
The music began with Candice on the piano and Alicia on the violin. Guest filled the room and then it was time. The lights went down and song "Lord Make Us One" began to play. Here it was, the moment I had been waiting for my entire life. My bridesmaids gracefully walked in, followed by Lily and Tessa, my two adorable flower girls. Then it was my turn. I took my dad's arm as he slowly walked me down the aisle to give me away. The ceremony went without a hitch - just as I had hoped. There was the typical opening prayer, giving of the bride, short but sweet message, vows, unity candle, and the not-so-typical communion that Kyle and I celebrated together as the song "Lord I'm amazed By You" was sung by my friend Abby. Kyle's dad did our vows and there it was - the announcement, "Carrie and Kyle, I now present you man and wife. You may kiss your bride." "Wow, I'm married. I can't believe I'm married," I kept thinking.
I felt relieved when it was over and excited for the reception. We drove off in my parent's car loaded with bikes and kayaks, and decorated with "Just married" and "Do not disturb" paint. After more pictures down by the lake, we enjoyed eating, dancing, cutting the cake, and memorable toasting that I'll never forget. My sisters made me a video of us growing up put to music by Michael W. Smith, to remember all our great family road trips. My mom had prepared a video of my grandmother praying for me and for my future husband just before she passed away. It was such a sweet and sentimental moment for me. I felt such overwhelming love from my family who had made my day so special. Even my grandfather was able to make it. The evening was filled with laughter and romance as we celebrated with so many of our loved ones.
As the party came to end, Kyle and I snuck into the woman's room to change and get ready for our long-awaited honeymoon. Kellie guarded the door. The remaining guests made their way to the exit to bid us farewell with sparklers and cheering. Kyle and I emerged from the bathroom running through the crowd to the car where we waved and kissed our friends and family goodbye. We drove off with excitement and headed toward Tennessee where we would spend the next 7 days together as newlyweds.
Today:
This past weekend Kyle and I took Elijah to the beach where we met up with my family for my dad's 59th birthday. My parents stayed at our house for the night and offered to give Elijah his early morning feeding allowing Kyle and I to sleep in till 10:00!
So after much prayer and consideration, Kyle ended up turning down the position in Indiana. Both of us have a peace that we've made the right decision. His job today threw him a surprise farwell party but because he decided to stay they changed it to a farewelcome party. I think this whole deal has helped Kyle appreciate his current job a little more. Truthfully, I'm relieved to stay but bummed in some ways because I would have been moving only 15 mins away from Corie, Leann, my parents, and only 45 mins away from Mark and Kellie. But staying here, we don't have to mess with packing and moving and we can stay in our current Bible study and around Christine, Jason, and my newphews, as well as around our other friends. So there's pros and cons to both and I think we're doing the right thing. At least for now.
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