I just danced with a wonderfully large woman. And three other girls made eyes at me over the buffet. Oh, I’m not saying it’s something I wanna pursue, but it’s nice to know I have options. -Mrs. Green, Friends

Saturday was the long awaited wedding of our good friend Token Gay Couple. Some may not agree with a gay wedding, but I’m a firm believer that everyone should be allowed to be happy, and to know TGC is to know these two were meant for each other.

We got ready in the morning, said a rushed goodbye to Match’s parents, then headed over to Tahoe Girl’s parent’s house to finish getting ready with the rest of the group. We were laughing because it was like prom all over again. The girls were all crammed into the bathroom primping while the boys sat around in the living room watching sports.

The minute I got there I made a beeline to the room where Monica was getting ready. I hadn’t seen her since New Year’s eve so we were both really excited to hang out. There were also friends from Santa Cruz that Match hadn’t seen since his college days. The girls helped makeup and hair clueless me get glamorous. We decided that almost all the girls wanted curls. It was pretty adorable that we all matched. Tomboy was in the wedding party and she, along with Token’s little sis, wore tuxes. She looked so cute!

Kind of a funny fun fact: out of our group, Token Gay Couple, the least traditional of all the couples, are the only couple so far to get married in a church. The ceremony was actually very traditional in many ways. It was sweet and simple and I cried the entire time. I rarely cry sad tears but I’m a sucker for happy moments. When Token said his vows, and the way the two gazed at each other…it was just pure love.

I like to think Match and I clean up nice. How cute is he in his purple shirt?

All the boys took this picture, without prompting from any of us girls. They took this same picture back at our wedding last year, and they announced that the butt pose is a new wedding tradition. I love it!

Then we piled into our cars and headed to the reception site. We staked out our table that was directly in front of the bar.  I made friends with the bartenders right away. I think they got a kick out of this short, loud little spitfire hustling up to them and saying we’d be bbfs by the end of the night. They remembered my fondness for chardonnay and by the end of the night each time I’d wiggle my way to the bar my drink would be waiting for me.

Token GC had over 200 guests at their wedding, and as such they couldn’t afford a fancy hall. Their reception was at the local fairgrounds hall, and all of the decorations were homemade. The colors were a little bright and the main lights brighter, but once they dimmed the lights the effect was actually rather pretty. Plus it really didn’t matter where we were, we were all together. Oh, and the food was home cooked by their families and it was absolutely delicious.

There were a few cool and unique parts to their already unique wedding. One was when two of Token Gay Couple’s friends sang “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Calliat.

The other was the piñata they had set up outside. Luckily the rain stopped about an hour into the reception and the kids were able to play with the piñata. And no one got hurt. I was half expecting a bat to the crotch moment but everyone’s junk stayed in tact.

The couple’s first dance was to Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”. It was a perfect song for the two of them, and they were so sweet to watch.

They had the mother/groom dance, with the song “Baby Mine” from Dumbo. Again, I bawled like crazy. I mean, how can you not hear that song and not remember little dumbo being rocked by his mama through her little prison cell? Ahhhh it was such a precious moment. Everyone cried happy tears.

Then there was dancing. Oh how we danced. My guns were blazing.

I don’t think I’ve ever been to a wedding where practically every guest was on the dance floor. The DJ was fantastic and the songs had everyone moving. He played shout and the whole crowd got into it.

We danced until the wee hours of the night. Tahoe Guy said I won because in every picture I have a ridiculous smile on my face, and as the night went on, my hair got more and more wild.

I insisted that he was the real winner, because as the night went on Tahoe Guy’s pictures became crazier and crazier. That’s him in the blue, getting lowww. 

The couple also had the money dance. For those not familiar, you line up and you give the groom (bride in most cases) money to dance with them. Of course our group came up with a very creative way to give Token his money. They had coins and he became a human slot machine. Hilarity ensued!

Like I said, I believe we have a clear winner here. ding ding ding!

Match was definitely my little good conscious on my shoulder, making me drink water and saying famous quotes like, “You’re going to regret that shot.” Which I of course did.

At the end of the night we all squished together and sang Don’t Stop Believing at the top of our lungs. We also got really touchy feely, as our group is known to do.

End of the night. Notice how everyone looks just a bit disheveled. Shirts unbuttoned, hair askew. Me with that telltale drunken grin. It was a great time. We finished off the night at Tahoe Girl’s parents house where I got even more drunk in the hot tub and played a crazy drinking game called Thumper. The last thing I remember was being curled up in the guest room at my in-laws, yelling to my MIL that “I’m INEBRIATED!” while laughing hysterically. She said, “Why yes, yes you are.”

It was my first gay wedding, and it was FABULOUS! I’m so happy for Token Gay Couple and I’m so pumped for Monica and Chandler’s wedding in just a few short weeks!

Robin: So if it weren’t for you, Ted and I would still be dating?
Lily: OR you would have stayed together far too long, had an incredibly bitter breakup and not even remain friends and [teary eyed, to Robin] you and I would never have become best friends.
Robin: You don’t even have to say that. [Hugs Lily] -How I Met Your Mother

I’m playing along with a little q & a in the first ever We Want to Know Wednesday. Click on the button to join in the fun!

So here we go:

1. Do you make friends easily?
I make friends in line at the grocery store. Making new friends comes really easily for me, but I guess they are more acquaintances than actual friends. It has been harder to make friends the last few years though. It was so much easier in college. At my last job I worked alone 90% of the time. Now that I’m not working it may actually be easier. Especially if I can sign up for some classes. The older I get the more I’m realizing that I don’t want just acquaintances either, I want real quality friendships, and they are harder to come by.

2. What 3 qualities are a MUST in a friend?
#1 honesty-if I can’t trust you then we can’t be friends. #2 sense of humor-if we’re hanging out and we’re not laughing something is very wrong. #3. Dedicated-I have had friendships fizzle because I felt like the only one putting in any effort. Friendships are relationships too and they can’t just be one sided.

3. What makes YOU a good friend?
I’d like to think I have all of the above qualities I mentioned. Sometimes I’m brutally honest but most people appreciate that. I am also the kind of friend who goes all out. Birthday, wedding, whatever it is. I will make the extra effort and do something special. I love making presents for my friends and spending quality time together. even if that quality time is chatting on the phone, texting or online. Just making the time you know?

4. Have you ever met a bloggy friend in real life? Yes? Tell us about the meet up. No? Who would you love to meet?
No I have never met a bloggy friend in real life but I am getting braver. Remember when I used to not post my face? Now I post pictures and I even posted a video blog. I’ve come a long way people. So I wouldn’t say never. I feel closer to some of my favorite bloggers and I feel like I know you already. Meeting up would be a lot of fun, and I don’t doubt that one day I will grow girl balls and actually do it!

5. Who is your best friend? Tell us about them.
I know it’s cheesy, but Match is my best friend. When we first met we sat down together and it felt like we had known each other our whole lives. There is no one I’d rather spend time with and I love how silly we are together.

I’ve been in relationships where my partner wasn’t my best friend and that is so not the case with us. We tell each other everything. Sometimes we stay up late at night just gabbing in bed for hours. I love that about us. I mean, who wouldn’t love this guy?

I have a good number of close friends that aren’t bestows but they are great people. Couple Wife is my go to for a gossip fest. Geeky and I are getting closer too. Monica, Tomboy and Tahoe Girl are all great girls and I’m so happy that we’re friends. Old Married Wife and I have drifted, but we are still pals. PHD Girl and I have been friends since 2nd grade, and even though she’s on the East Coast I like to think we’ll always stay in touch. There are also the new friends I’ve made through Match’s job, Sassy and Good Girl. I’m hoping to make closer connections with them as time goes by.

My whole life I’ve always had an easier time being friends with guys, such as Ex Best Friend (he’s not my ex friend, just my ex, it’s a long story). I just realized we’ve been friends for almost 7 years now. There’s also Chandler, who kept me company all of those weekends when Match had to work nights and I was bored to tears. I value their friendships but I make sure Match is always #1. The older I get the more I am enjoying couple friendships rather than the one on one platonic boy/girl friendships. I think as a single person that’s fine, but I realize if you’re going to be best friends with the opposite sex, it really is best if it’s your significant other. Saves me a lot of drama and unnecessary jealousy!

I am also extremely close to my mom, even though she lives in Oregon. I don’t talk about her often on the blog but we talk at least once a week if not more. She’s the first person (besides Match) that I tell about anything exciting or newsworthy in our lives. Except any argument that I have with Match. She gave me the best advice a long time ago when it comes to relationships. “You keep your relationship to yourselves. If you come to me to vent, you’ll get over it the next day but I will hold a grudge against him because you’re my baby girl.” If there were ever any real issues of course I could tell her, but she’s so right. Plus her and my Pops love him so much they’d probably just side with him anyways. I’m lucky that we have such a close relationship. It wasn’t always perfect and we don’t do very well if we’re together for long stretches of time, but I am very lucky to have a mom that I can count as a friend.

Then there are my blog friends. There are some of you that have been loyal readers for over 3 years now. I’ve followed along with your lives and I feel like if we’ve gotten to really know each other. You’ve been with me for all the big moments, and I’ve shared some awesome milestones with you too. I am so lucky for my bloggy friends. You know who you are and I just want you to know how much I appreciate our friendship.

BARNEY; Give it a rest, Ted.
TED; Give what a rest?
BARNEY; Trying to turn this night into anything more than what it is which is New Year’s Eve, which is the single biggest letdown of the night every single year. -How I Met Your Mother

This past NYE was the first one where Match and I had real plans. We were going to  San Francisco to spend New year’s Eve with our friends-Tahoe Couple, Monica and Chandler, Tomboy and her man, and Chandler’s brother and girlfriend. The only two missing were Token Gay Couple.

The afternoon started off great. We left pretty early to avoid the crowds and we had a fun ride over. We decided to take the train instead of driving. Taking the train to the city is so much more relaxing than the stress of driving; battling traffic and searching everywhere for a parking space. We both agreed that’s the only way we want to travel to San Francisco in the future.

When we got to Tahoe Couple’s place everyone else was already there, except Tomboy and her man who arrived shortly after us. Everyone had been drinking for quite awhile, playing Kings and Assholes. The atmosphere wasn’t all that exciting though. The energy was just lacking that fun energy it had the week before for Tahoe Girl’s birthday. It was great to visit with Monica one last time before her trip home to Scotland a few days later; but we never really got to spend a lot of time together actually talking. Instead everyone was playing drinking games and no one was really talking to each other. When we go there, we thought that we’d be going out to some of the bars and doing some sight seeing, but Tahoe Girl said every place in town was charging a cover and they were too crowded. I could tell she was disappointed too.

To make the night worse, Match was a major buzzkill. I mean, I wasn’t in the mood for a house party either, but my motto has always been to make the best out of the situation you’re in. Everyone was there to drink, so live it up, take a shot and enjoy. Instead he kind of pouted and rolled his eyes every time I took a drink. Match and I aren’t the type of couple to fight in public and I didn’t like how obviously grumpy he was being. Monica even mentioned it to me, asking what his problem was. I finally took him aside and quietly talked to him about how he was feeling. We both apologized for being rude to each other and agreed that this was not the night we wanted to have. We decided we’d leave that night instead of sleeping over and that New Year’s day we’d do something fun. Match said he was sorry, kissed my forehead and said he’d try to lighten up.

Shortly after that we all (finally) left the apartment and headed to the waterfront for the fireworks. This was what we had pictured when planning a New Year’s eve in the city. People were out laughing and celebrating. There were noisemakers and party hats everywhere. When the fireworks started, we were so close it felt like we had 3D glasses on.

They were so beautiful-it was probably one of the best fireworks shows I’ve ever seen. As the fireworks started, Match gave me my New Year’s kiss and hugged me close.

Then I noticed that Tahoe Girl was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said she was fine. On the walk back she said that fireworks and the national anthem make her sentimental and she always cries when they go off. I had a feeling something else was bothering her but I didn’t push the issue.

On the walk back to their apartment, icy rain started POURING down on us. It was crazy because the fireworks had just ended when the rain started. At least it didn’t rain during the show! We ran back as fast as we could and thawed out a little bit back at the apartment. We ended the night with champagne and watched a little bit of Four Christmases. Then Match and I headed back out into the cold and made the five block walk to the train station. As we were running in the cold, ducking into alcoves to escape the rain and laughing, Match said that besides the fireworks, this was the most fun he’d had all night.

We talked about Tahoe Girl and the tears, and we both wonder if her and Tahoe Guy are having some trouble. He seems to be growing out of the drinking game stuff too, and Match pointed out he had been just as grumpy all night. Hopefully Tahoe Couple are fine and she really was just emotional over the fireworks.

Match promised me that next year we’d plan something else. We agreed that if we go back to San Francisco next year, we’ll have a better plan. I think the night would have been more fun if we’d gone out to bars, even just to people watch. Being stuck in the apartment felt like a waste of our trip out there. People don’t go to the city to attend house parties and do the same old thing you’d do on any Friday night. You go for the excitement and the big city atmosphere. I am looking forward to going back to SF, and double dating with Tahoe Couple. Next time we’ll just be sure we actually leave the apartment.

Four years ago, I was just a guy who had a crush on a girl who had a boyfriend. And I had to do the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, which was to wait. And don’t get me wrong, I flirted with her…I just had little moments with a girl who saw me as a friend. And a lot of people told me I was crazy to wait this long for a date with a girl who I worked with, but I think that even then I knew that I was waiting for my wife.-Jim, The Office

Let me start by saying, wow! I’m overwhelmed by your comments. I’m so happy to be able to share the most important day of my life with you all. You guys have been a part of it from the beginning! Second, this is perhaps the longest post I’ve written yet, and I apologize. There were just so many amazing moments that I had to share with you!

Now that we’re past the tearfest, it’s time for the PARTY! Ok, I won’t lie, there are still some tear jerker moments. Like when Match’s Mom and my Mom gave their toasts. Then the first dance, and the father/daughter dance. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Let’s start with our grand entrance back to at the reception room. We were at the golf course for the ceremony and they had a golf cart ready for us to drive back up to the reception. Typically the groom drives the cart. But you all know I’m not your typical girl. So of course I drove it.

The reception room has a deck so all of our guests were leaning over the railing cheering us on as we drove up.  Then the DJ had everyone go inside the reception room and wait for our grand entrance.

We walked in to the song, “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” by Dean Martin.

I wish I could remember what Match whispered to me that I found so funny.

I was so overwhelmed by the amount of love that just emanated from the room. I just kept saying, “Oh wow, oh how beautiful!” I can’t even describe what an amazing feeling it is to be surrounded by all of your loved ones in the same room, all standing and clapping for you. It was truly incredible.

I was so touched that so many of my friends and family took off time from their jobs to make it to the wedding. There were hugs all around as we finally got to see all of our loved ones. Right after that our coordinator ushered us over to the buffet table for food. I loved our day of coordinator. She came with the venue and she did such a great job of keeping the day flowing. She made sure we ate too! We are one of the rare and lucky couples that actually got to eat on our wedding day. Match even got seconds!

I know it doesn’t look that appetizing in the picture but I swear it was so good. I wish I’d had a better appetite. I was just too excited to eat. Plus my friend who warned us about the sweetheart’s table was right-everyone stares at you while you eat!

Then it was time for the toasts. My mom was the first to make her speech, and I was blown away with how calm and collected she was. I told her afterwards she should speak in public more often! She talked about the first time I brought Match home to meet my parents. She said watching us cook in the kitchen together, she knew he was the one for me. Cooking and eating are a big deal in my family and the way we worked so effortlessly together, she knew we were made for each other.

MIL was next to give her toast. It started off shaky, because she definitely doesn’t like to speak in front of people or be the center of attention. She started by talking about how when you have a child you want the very best for them. You want to make sure that as they mature they make the right choices. She said that she has no doubt that Match made the right choice, and will continue to make the right choices because he has me by his side.

I was trying to keep it together in this picture. I started bawling when she finished with that line. We hugged and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Match got up, a little begrudgingly, because like his mom, he hates being the center of attention. I think he did a great job. He thanked everyone for being a part of our special day. He said he couldn’t be happier and that he was absolutely the luckiest man in the world.

After the toasts it was time for our first dance. It was sweet, but I have to admit, I wish we’d picked a faster song. I love our song, Then by Brad Paisley, but it felt like it went on for a long time. I think that was just because everyone was starring at us and I’m a terrible slow dancer. I kept laughing and saying I was going to step on his shoes. He kept saying, “I lead, not you!” Hehehe.

The second dance was the father/daughter dance with my Pops. I couldn’t help it-I bawled like a baby. We chose the song, “You’re Gonna Miss This” by Trace Atkins.

After a few minutes, Match and his mom joined us on the dance floor, along with his Sis Travel Girl and her dad, and my Mom and my brother. By then I think a lot of our guests were crying along with us.

Then it was time to celebrate! Everyone wiped their eyes and got down to boogie on the dance floor.

Everyone mingled and danced and it felt like the two families and all the groups of friends had known each other for years.

Birthday Twin made it along with his long time girlfriend. They seemed to enjoy themselves, though frankly I didn’t spend much time with them. BT and I have grown so distant over the last two years. Still it was nice that he was there and they had a good time.

Best Friend was there-he made the trip all the way from San Diego. I was thrilled he could be there. After our years of friendship and our crazy, messy history it’s so nice to still call him my friend. He gave me a big hug and said, “You got your M.R.S!” He used to tease me in college that I was going to school for my M.R.S. He said he was so glad I found such a good guy and that I truly deserved to be this happy.

We had a fun moment on the deck where Best Friend, Brazil’s Hubby, The Enabler, and Old Married Hubby convinced me to smoke a cigar.

Before I knew it, it was time to cut the cake. The coordinator told me how we cut the cake represented how we work together as a team. This was hilarious because I couldn’t seem to cut the cake, and after a minute Match said, oh let me do it. So I guess that’s how we work. He does everything for me!

Immediately after cake we had the bouquet and garter tosses. This was another classic moment-my cousin’s girlfriend didn’t just catch the bouquet, she swiped it. Then she whispered to me, “It better work!” It was adorable and I couldn’t be happier for her. Of course I felt bad for Tahoe Girl who really wanted to catch the bouquet. If you look closely, that’s her hand desperately reaching for it. She knows her and Tahoe Guy will get married. They’ve been together for 9 years! I think he’s just waiting for the right time since all of the couples in our group are getting married and he wants her to have her own moment. Hopefully next year he’ll propose!

The garter toss was a surprise as well. I’ve always been to weddings where the guys refuse to catch the garter. By the way don’t I look completely in pain in this picture? Like he’s biting my leg and not the garter? Hehehe. I was just really embarrassed.

Best Friend reached out and snatched the garter so fast I didn’t even see it happen!

The rest of the night is kind of a blur. There was tons of dancing and laughter. At one point my uncles tossed me in the air. I really wish someone had captured that on camera. At the end of the night the DJ got everyone to crowd around us while we danced together. It was another moment where my breath caught in my throat as I felt all of the love surrounding us. It was the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Ted: [over the phone] Hello, Robin, it’s Ted.
Robin Scherbatsky: Oh, hi, Ted.
Ted: [repeats] Hello, Robin, it’s Ted.
Robin Scherbatsky: Hi, Ted. Sounds like you’re having fun.
Ted: Robin, have I ever told you that I have been vomit-free since ’93?
Robin Scherbatsky: Oh, listen Ted. I can’t really talk right… ’93? Dude, that’s impressive. -How I Met Your Mother

I’m getting the pictures back from the wedding tomorrow!! I will post them asap. While we wait, I figured I would regal you with a story of the night before the wedding and the morning of. The night before the wedding I remained surprisingly calm. A few of my close girlfriends came over: Couple Wife, Geeky, Monica and Tahoe Girl. We drank a little bit of wine and chatted. Couple Wife brought me an adorable hoodie and tank top to wear for the morning of. Here’s me in the hoodie (which says BRIDE on the front, and Bride to Be on the back, and I still wear on walks, haha):

After the girls left I went about my routine. Did my oily skin treatment, brushed my teeth, and went to bed like usual. I was actually able to drift off to sleep. Then I get a text message from Match, who was out with a few of the guys for a few “casual drinks”. Here’s what the text said:

I threw up sweetie. Love u

Whaaaa?? I sit straight up in bed fully awake, and full on freak out mode. Now here’s a note to all the future grooms out there. Never, EVER tell your bride to be that you just threw up the night before the wedding. I texted Chandler begging him to take Match home so he could sleep it off. I had images of a very hung over groom looking green instead of happy at the ceremony. Chandler messaged me back that he was fine and that they were dropping him off right then. I managed to get to sleep but I couldn’t help stressing a little bit. I wasn’t bridezilla stressed mind you, just a little bit worried. It’s so funny to look back on it now.

First thing the next morning Match texted me that he was fine and not at all hung over. Turns out he’d actually had some bad beer. TomBoy and her boyfriend (formerly known as Single Girl, see I changed it!) had met up with the rest of the guys for a drink since they got in late. She’d only had one beer, from the same pitcher as Match and they’d both thrown up. So I was able to breathe a bit easier knowing Match wouldn’t be hung over and grumpy for the wedding day.

That morning Match was having a boys breakfast at his parents house while I was having a girls breakfast at Tahoe Girl’s parents house. It was amazing! We had pancakes, hash browns, mimosas and coffee. I confess I wasn’t able to eat much but I did the best I could on my nervous stomach. I knew I wouldn’t be eating much for the rest of the day.

Baker Chic, Tahoe Girl, Me, Monica and TomBoy

After breakfast we headed to the bridal suite at the ceremony site. On the way over the girls cranked up some Britney Spears and we danced around and sang in the car.  The girls did a great job of keeping me distracted and not too nervous. We had dance music blasting the entire time I was getting my hair and makeup done by Stylist Girl. It really helped calm my nerves. I wasn’t scared nervous, just incredibly excited. This was it!

The champagne helped too!

Piece of advice for all the brides to be. Wear as comfy of clothes as possible right up until you squeeze into that dress. I opted for workout pants and these fabulous slippers.

The girls kept looking at me all dolled up and getting teary eyed. I told them to tell me something to make me laugh instead of cry and the first thing Tomboy said was, “Match loves to fart!” That had us giggling so hard we ended up crying anyways.

The girls helped me struggle into my dress and that’s when I really felt like a bride.  Here’s a sneak peek at the dress that doesn’t even begin to do it justice.

I’ll continue the rest of the story when I get the professional pictures. Stay tuned!