A Fall Wedding

Two Fridays ago, I went to my old roommate's wedding in New York. I remember when she first texted me, "I'm engaged!"  When we got back from our break she told me she planned to have the wedding on November 5th, 2010. It seemed so far away!

Murphy's Law kept me being at the wedding on time. I sidled in as Ava Maria was being sung. I sat in the back so my heels wouldn't interrupt.

I sat watching my roommate's life changing and the moment felt so precious and special. Soon, she and her husband walked together down the aisle and everyone was smiling but most of all them.  I was so happy for her. The closer she got to me the more I teared up. She was so pretty and so happy and so deserving. It's hard to describe to someone who doesn't know her how much she deserves blissful happiness other to say that when I think of the description "good person" I always think of her.

As everyone exited the church they all hugged and congratulated Christina and Michael.  As I hugged her she said, "Amy! I can't believe you made it to the church! Thank you!"

Then finally, I met her family. I had heard so much about all of them already over the two years that she and I shared our cozy apartment. Her sisters, her brother, her aunts and uncles. I shook hands and hugged her Aunt Nina and her husband. They told me that they had heard a lot about me and I said the same. I told them, "My mom and dad met in India too!" because Christina had told me their story of meeting on a train there. Looking around at everyone happily chatting in a mixture of Italian and English I felt like I had been placed inside a painting. I had been imagining everyone from Christina's stories for so long and now they were all here and the moment was so perfect.

After a short wait at Christina's family's house, my boyfriend and I headed to the reception. Tables and tables of food were set out. The staff mentioned that there was going to be a cocktail hour but there was so much to eat I thought that this couldn't possibly count as cocktail hour. I dug in. It was 6 pm and I hadn't eaten yet. Eventually, I asked one of the staff members if this was just cocktail hour. She laughed and said, "Yeah." Oops.  Luckily, I can eat most people under the table.

At 7 pm music started to play in the next room, curtains opened up and everyone went inside. The room was beautiful and the centerpieces were lovely. I remember Christina talking to me about how important it was to her to have nice centerpieces.

I forgot my camera so you must adore this picture instead of one from the actual wedding. 

The rest of the night was full of music, dancing, and food. Despite my meal before dinner, I believe I was the only one at the table to finish my every course put in front of me. Everything I ate was delicious, vegan, and a welcome change from pasta and rice and beans. There were also a few speeches. Christina's twin sister talked about how shy Christina usually was around new people but when she first met Michael (9 years ago!) she would not shut up!

A good time was had by all. I was happy to see Christina so happy. People came from everywhere to see the wedding (California, Venezuela, and even Philly) and that is a testament to what good people Christina and Michael are.

On the drive back, my boyfriend and I sang very loudly with the car radio. It was quite a Journey.