They say when you marry in June....

You're a bride all your life, and the bridegroom who marries in June gets a sweetheart for a wife. - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

It's been a full two weeks since our special day and I figured I should probably write about it. It's going to be long and there aren't too many pictures at the moment but if you stay with my you're in for a treat because it was an amazing day.

PRELIMINARY
After my graduation on Friday we ran around getting last minute items finished. Checking 14 books out of the library and returning them within an hour to check out 14 more as well as decorating cakes, making the s'mores boxes, etc. It was pretty crazy. We went to the ferry terminal to pick my Dad up and then headed over to Montanans for my grad dinner. Yum! We came back to our place so Ashley and I could pack and then went down to the waterfront. It was such a nice relaxing walk and a great way to spend the night with my family. Ash and I got dropped off at the ferry and we were on our way to Vancouver.

My dear friend Andrea meet us and picked us up at the ferry so we could have a sleep over at her place. She has the most adorable new puppy at home and it was great to meet him and see her.After a visit with them I hopped in for a quick shower (I wasn't allowed to wash my hair for 2 days *gross!*) and within the 10 or so minutes everyone had gone to bed and Ashley was sleeping. I went to bed and a very very short 5 hours later....

THE DAY

I woke up to a very sweet wake up call "Chelsea it's your day!" Andrea had even bought Ashley and I gluten-free bagels for our breakfast. What a woman! We quickly made our way to the hair salon and I was so excited.  The woman that did my hair had quite the impressive background. She did her schooling in New York, has worked for fashion magazines and done high fashion things in Vancouver. She was the owner and even came in just for this appointment since the shop didn't even open for another hour. I thought FOR SURE she would do my hair exactly like I wanted.

Once my hair was finished Andrea looked at it and no response. Then Ashley looked at it and no response. I knew right then it wasn't what I wanted. They would have been over the moon if it was. She handed me the mirror and I looked at it. I was so disappointed. My hair was really important to me that's why I came over the night before to get it done and it was nothing like what I wanted. It was pretty but not what I had envisioned. I pulled myself together paid her and we were on our way. I vented my frustration on the way to the temple. It certainly was a beautiful hair-do but not what I wanted.

We got there with time to spare. Andrea mentioned that I might be the first bride in history to be on time. FOR REAL! We didn't see my mom, dad, or Remy anywhere so we parked and wait. AND waited and waited. After about 15 minutes (which is torture when you are waiting by the way) I went in and it went something like this:
"I'm Chelsea Chartier and I am here to be sealed at 11:30. I don't have my recommend, clothes, my mom, dad, or the groom. But I'm here."
They laughed. I only had to wait a few minutes more before the rest arrived. It was such a relief but not for long. My mom didn't have her temple recommend with her. You can't enter the temple without the recommend. At this point I just has to smile and think add it to the list. We waited while they tried calling people back in Michigan so she could enter. After awhile I went in to start getting changed otherwise we were going to miss our time slot. While I was changing they got it figured out and my mom was able to help me.

The ceremony was beautiful. I can't talk about it too much but it really was beautiful and I totally ugly cried. I kept thinking, all of these people are watching you at least cute cry. I couldn't help it though it was the full contorted face ugly cry. After our guests left the room the Sealer took us aside and gave us some advice. It was such a personal and special moment to have. We even ran into Esther which was so nice. We were allowed to go into the waiting room dressed in our temple clothes to visit with our family that wasn't able to be inside the temple with us.

After, we headed back to the change rooms to change into our PARTY clothes. I got my dress on and my mom helped my with my make up. I met Remy right outside the change room. He informed me that he didn't bring his suit jacket. Um...say what now? So our forever pictures are going to be without your suit. Just add it to the list. Then I saw the state of his tie. The couple that was helping us in the temple were so sweet and kind and the sister totally understood everything I was going through. The dear brother took the tie and went and ironed it for us and even retied it. I was ever so grateful.

We exited the temple holding hands and so happy. The pictures began right away and so did the rain. It was too rainy for a lot of the pictures I wanted to take but we were able to take some very beautiful ones. It was wonderful to have everyone there to share our day. Remy's Uncle Roy and Aunt Terri were so kind to come and take the photos for us. Aunt Terri was so sweet she would hold the umbrella over my head until right before the picture was taken and then remove it really quick.

After the picture extravaganza we were off to make the 3:10 ferry...on a Saturday...in June...without a reservation. Yup. We even got stuck in construction, and it that wasn't enough to stress a bride out on her wedding day, we got lost. I made everyone discuss plans B and C as we sat in the construction while minutes ticked on. In the end we made it and it was such a relief.

Almost everyone who had come to temple were traveling back on the same ferry. It was a lot of fun to sit and talk with everyone since I didn't get much of a chance earlier that day. I even painted my nails on the way. Blue nail polish while wearing my white dress, I was such a dare devil that day.

As soon as we got off the ferry it was back to work. We came back and got things together that needed to go to the Rendezvous and at that point I would have done just about ANYTHING for a nap. We got to the restaurant and set everything up and then Remy and I hid for our big entrance.

Our centerpieces were two books stacked on top of each other, a candle on top, with paper flowers scattered around. Did I mention that pretty much every part of our wedding was homemade...everything.

Our guest book table. The guest book was a tree and people put their finger print on it to make the leaves. It turned out awesome! We had a blue stamp pad and baby wipes to clean your fingers. The sign said "Please help us remember the day and LEAF your print on our tree."

Remy and I came in all ready for our entrance and then the music didn't work. We walked in and stood there. I believe my mind worked the fastest it has ever worked I went from horrified, to embarrassed, to acceptance, to mad, and then relief when my mom handed Remy the microphone and we just did it.We had never practiced without music but I don't think it went that bad. We had our just married sun glasses on and I had a white hoodie and Remy a black one and we rapped part of "I'm reading a book"- Julian Smith.

Since then my parents have had this song stuck in their head.

We had the usual things at weddings we ate amazing food *we called each table up by the author of the books in the centerpiece* we did speeches and Ian Perry shared with us a beautiful toast, we cut the cake, shared the cupcake story, had our first dance, and then danced the night away.

For the true party animals we had an after party of a bonfire and s'mores at the Slobodans. It was an amazing day and I couldn't believe how much fun I had. After three years of wedded-bliss Remy and I are now a forever family and the first day of it was one of the best of my life. Thank you everyone for helping to make it so amazing.

And if you are still with me 1 million friend points to you! More pictures to come these were just the ones I quickly got, ya know with all the free time I had that day.

I can see clearly now...

As most of you know my husband is visually impaired. It has brought some very unique challenges to our marriage but it has also brought us closer together as a couple. There have been tears of frustration and definitely laughter. Sometimes I even have forgotten that Remy is visually impaired.

One of the things that I take care of is our grocery shopping, not too unusual. Well one Sunday while I was going to school I was taking a shower and sobbing. That week I was going to school (8 am-4pm Mon-Fri on top of homework, projects, and studying!) was going visiting teaching, had institute, had my calling to deal with, as well as other odds and ends that goes with being an adult. We also had no food in the house.

I was standing in the shower crying thinking about all of this. Remy came in and asked me what was wrong. I sobbed "We're going to ssssttttaaaarrrvvveeee!" Remy listened to me talk about the week I had ahead of me. He suggested we call and ask someone for a ride (would cut down 2 hours of travel time) but I didn't even have time to do the actual shopping.  I told him I'd be out in a few minutes but really I just sat down in the shower and cried.

A few minutes later Remy came in to tell me that he called our friend Andrea and they were going to take care of the shopping if I made the list. I felt instant relief and gratitude. What a blessing!

Although we face challenges that some couples never even think of I wouldn't change him for the world.

To be together for eternity

Till death do us part …

Those words have always disturbed me. I always found it sad that no matter how much you love someone, you could only be with them for a set amount of time. Then you would lose them. The lives you built, the times of contentment and the trials you’ve overcome could be snuffed out in a moment.

Then I joined the LDS church, and everything changed. I learned that life is more than this brief stint here on earth. Of course a part of me always knew that. But what’s more is love can transcend the bonds of death into eternity. The idea that love between husband and wife, and between friends and family exists afterwards surprised me. After all, most Christians have a much different view of eternity, a view which is largely unknown. it’s a place of eternal peace, and not much else.

I bring this up because in a little over a month, I will be taking my wife Chelsea to the temple, to be sealed together for life, and beyond. What a glorious feeling this eternal perspective. Knowing I will not lose her, and knowing I am now worthy to perform this ultimate ceremony with her. Knowing our union will bring not only our happiness in this life, but also unfathomable possibilities in the next.

But with this joy comes too the sobering realization that my family and most of my friends do not understand the significance of this union. So many people I know consider the concept of religion a means by which we may be controlled, or not worth understanding, or an elaborate hoax. I do not blame them. It wasn’t that long ago I would have felt a similar way. But the understanding that this is real, and knowing few people I know will take it seriously or will be able to be truly happy for what we’re doing … it saddens me. Oh they’ll be happy enough of course. Marriage is after all a more or less universally accepted union. But Chelsea and I have been officially married for three years. This is something greater. The true meaning of what it is to be married. It’s easy to tell someone you want to be with them forever. But knowing that it is not only possible, but expected … I imagine it would be like seeing the world and all its vibrant beauty for the first time, after years of seeing only what one’s limited vision would allow.

I suppose I shouldn’t feel so bad. This is a one of the most important moments in my life. , and one I honestly never thought I’d reach. Perhaps my example will inspire others, or perhaps not. But this experience above all others proves I have made much more of my life than the medical “professionals” and teachers of my youth ever thought I would. This is my time to shine, and Chelsea’s time to have the wedding she’s always wanted.