July. 24 2008. I was dating and enjoying the single life after returning home from my mission nearly a year before. Well in June sometime I went to Sun Valley with my parents for a summer vacation. It was a normal vacation except for one night. We went to an interactive theatre performance called the “Wahoo Revue”. It is a cast of 6 people and they sing and dance and interact with the audience and it is all about the Old West. There was a barbecue out on the lawn outside the opera house before the play and the characters came out to say hi to the crowd and get them ready for the show. I saw this one guy who plays the silly sheriff “Sheriff Fester” and I thought he was good looking. He didn’t even notice me though- besides friendly chatter when he came over to meet and greet our table. Anyway, I had my eye on him the whole time because he was cute and funny. Well… the story takes an interesting turn.
Two weeks later I went with Andrew to his mission president’s homecoming. I was meeting people left and right. I saw this one guy that I thought was cute and I thought looked familiar. Well later at the president’s house that guy and I started talking and Andrew introduced us. His name is Rick Brunson and he started telling Andrew and I how he lives in Sun Valley and both of us just lit up and asked him where and for how long and told him how much we love that place. (Our family has been going there for summer vacation through my dad’s work benefits ever since I was like 4 years old). He told us he is working up there and he was a little embarrassed to say what he did for work. Turns out he is that cowboy (the silly sheriff) from the play. I was so shocked. I didn’t recognize him in his suit versus a cowboy hat! J. Well we chatted and he left. I was bummed because he didn’t seem too interested in me. That is twice now that he over looked me. Well I took matters into my own hands and I got his number from Andrew and sent him a text. Rick responded and asked who was texting him since he didn’t know my number and I told him and he started calling me and we have talked about twice now in two weeks.Well yesterday Andrew got a call from Rick and he asked Andrew for his permission to date me! Cool aye? He just seems like such a good guy. He got his Associates before the mission from Weber University and is going for his bachelors now at Utah State. He is working as a pharmacy technician right now as he gets through school. He was District Leader, Zone Leader, and Assistant to the President on the mission. He is very active in church and physically active. He can sing and act and is smart. Sounds like a dream guy aye?! At least MY dream guy. Well for now we can’t do anything because he lives forever far away. But I am loving whatever contact I have with him and would like to get to know him more to see if we might actually hit it off. I’ll keep you posted.
Aug. 27
Rick Brunson and I talked tonight. I really like him. He is very righteous and smart. He is only 21 and is aiming to be done with his Bachelors when he is still 22… that is with a mission already completed within that time too! Crazy! He is fun to talk to and I feel comfortable talking to him. Rick invited me up to Sun Valley to spend some time with him. That should be fun! I am excited to go up and get to know him more. I wonder if we will have chemistry????….
Aug. 10
Rick came down today and it was fun to be with him. I feel so shallow because he is shorter than most guys I have dated and keep thinking about that for some reason. What dumb reason to not like him though. But the thing that I am most attracted to about him is his approach to life and the gospel. He is SUCH a righteous priesthood leader. It is amazing.
Ugh… I am so sick of dating. Can't I just finally meet my husband and be done with this scene?
After we got married I went back and updated my journal to this is all in past tense:
Rick was treating me so well and despite the fact that I was hung up on the superficial details of his height and such, I fell in love with him. We talked about becoming serious and dating just each other. I really struggled because I wasn’t sure I was really ready for that and I didn’t know if I wanted to be exclusive with him. The Spirit worked me over and I just kept getting closer and closer to him. Rick was a gentleman and wouldn’t kiss me until he knew that it really meant something. To this point we had gone to church together a handful of times. We had already held hands and cuddled. Our whole courtship consisted of church, family events, and a couple double and triple dates to the movies and the State Fair Park.
My friend, Bree Jones, returned home from serving in Spain and was having her homecoming on Sunday, the 24th of August, in Rose Park. Rick went with me to go hear her talk. It was great just having him around. I remember on the way to her church there was one point when I was looking at him and while he was driving he just looked over at me and said, “I can’t get over how beautiful your eyes are!” He really meant it too. I was also in awe at his dark handsome eyes. We just looked at each other all day. After the homecoming we headed back to Ogden to spend time with his parents (I feel like I spent 70% of our dating life in Ogden. I stayed at least five times at his house over night – in the guest room of course- so that we didn’t have to go through the drive and I could just be there when he woke up and do church together or whatever was the next day.) Anyway, later that day we went for a walk through this park in South Ogden. It was really pretty. We were enjoying each other’s company and had great conversation. At one point Rick, while holding my hand, asked me what holding hands meant to me. Following, came a stumbled attempt at me trying to explain to him that I like him and I like holding his hand, but I don’t know if I wanted to be serious with him. I was still confused about how I felt. That is when the conversation started about how he really wanted to kiss me and really likes me but doesn’t want to do that until I am ready to be his girlfriend. We actually brought up the topic of kids and how we would raise them and discipline them. It was the beginning of the “marriage seed” being planted in our heads.
When we got back to his house and I was getting ready to leave to drive back to Magna we were hugging by my car and I was just soaking up the moment. I wanted to so badly to kiss him and I was sending all the signals too, despite the fact that he wanted me to commit to him before he would kiss me and I wasn’t going to commit to him at that moment. Well he finally gave in and kissed me. It was soft and sweet and I was surprised at how much I felt for him. I drove home feeling guilty because he was assuming that I was going to be his girlfriend now, and I would have to tell him otherwise.
Sure enough, on the phone the next day he said, “so, do we need to talk about that kiss?” and I was silent for a little bit and I said, “no.” I can’t believe how rude I was. The following weekend was Labor Day and I was supposed to be going up with Camilla Hodge (my friend that I met on a double date with Michael, she is from Provo) to Sun Valley to spend the weekend up there with Rick. He had already made arrangements for us to stay at a condo for free and for my birthday he bought us tickets to an ice show. Well after that kiss I felt like I either needed to stop seeing him, because I wasn’t ready to commit, or just say “fine I will date just you” even though I wasn’t ready for that. I was having such a hard time thinking about going to Sun Valley and spending an entire weekend with him when I really felt that it wasn’t going to go anywhere with him. I finally called him the day before I was supposed to come to SV and told him, “I really don’t think I am ready to commit to just you and I am worried that if I come to Sun Valley it is going to be all awkward.” He just said he understood and wanted me to come up anyway. I felt so relieved and ended up going.
We spent the weekend together and when he was working, Camilla, and I hung out and walked through Ketchum and did a little shopping, etc. It was relaxing and great. Well Saturday night he took me to dinner and to the ice show and I was so happy to be with him. We had such a good time. I avoided any topic of relationships but was still thinking about him the whole time and how I enjoyed being with him. The ice show is not cheap and I knew he had spent quite a deal of money so that we could go. I was so blessed to have such a great guy after me.
The next day was Sunday and we were sitting in the Ketchum ward and he had his arm around me. During sacrament I really felt the prompting that I should give it a shot and try out the relationship. I pulled out a piece of paper and wrote, “Let's give it a shot!” He knew what I was talking about and asked, “are you sure?” and I nodded. I knew that if I was going to know if we were right for each other I would know fast. So that was the beginning.
Two days later when I was home and back in classes I panicked and was going to break it off the next time I saw him, but the next time I saw him we had such a good time with each other. That next Sunday in his sacrament meeting, during the passing of the sacrament, we were both praying and had our heads leaning up against each other with his arm around me. I suddenly had this urge to scream out “I love you!” I couldn’t understand where it was coming from, but I felt the assurance of the Spirit that this was right. I took his hand and with my finger I traced in his palm, an I, a heart and a U. He just smiled the biggest smile I had ever seen and squeezed my hand three times for “I love you.”
That night we went to this little park in Ogden and we talked seriously about marriage and decided to pray about it. Funny how I was SO very hesitant at first about just being his girlfriend, but the second I finally committed and said I love you; I knew it was right and that we would be married. Heavenly Father truly helped me on my way, because if I would have let my head guide me I wouldn’t be here right now, married to my sweet husband, Rick!!!
An interesting shift is that Rick was so sure in the beginning, but the second we really considered marriage was when everything started fighting against him. His had so much opposition. His family disapproved and was so worried that he was rushing into things. He was having doubts and wondering what to do. He was stronger than all that and really knows how to listen to the Spirit.
So after that night that we decided to pray about getting married we went back to our school and work weeks and since we were further apart it was harder to see each other. We talked on the phone every spare second we had. All we talked about was how the other was feeling about marriage and our answers to our prayers. I was so elated and happy to have found the one that Heavenly Father knew would make the me the happiest! Rick kept saying, “I think it is right, I want to go to the temple and pray and make sure.” He was planning on going on Thursday to the temple and Tuesday night we were able to meet in Bountiful (since I had been at the UofU and Rick was in Ogden, we would meet half way at the Keva Juice in Bountiful off 500 South! Ha ha). We were talking about our days and about each other and Rick kept saying, “I can’t believe this is finally happening to me!” We were so in love. Rick admitted to having been out ring shopping earlier that day. That night was also the night that he got my father’s phone number and scheduled a time to meet with him to ask his permission. Friday we went to the State Fair with Rick’s friend, Andy Griffin and my friend, Bree Jones. They doubled with us just for fun. We had a good time and got a whole lot of fried food! There was this stand that did fried PB&J sandwiches, Oreos, Twinkies, and Snickers! It was pretty fun!
On the Ferriswheel at the fair
Liberty Park on a Sunday. We went with Rick's family to have a picnic. 
Saturday morning Rick and I went to the Bountiful temple and did a session. It was so odd because the night before we were just “off” a little and when he picked me up in the morning for the temple it was the same feeling. I was getting nervous and thought he was having second thoughts about marrying me. I was so nervous because my heart was still broken in pieces from Michael that I just didn’t think I could handle it again. When we left the temple we went across the street to see President and Sister Coward (my mission president and wife that were in Utah from New Zealand for a year). President really liked Rick and gave me his approval! We left and in the car I was silent wondering if he was going to wait and didn’t want to commit. I was almost making myself sick. He finally got me talking and I expressed my concerns and he admitted that he was facing a lot of opposition and that he was struggling. He finally said, “I think I need to stop listening to other people and do what I feel is right.” That was when we kind of mended and started talking about everything. He sang to me “Amazed” by Lonestar and I just listened while we were driving. We got back to his parents house because we were going to do some homework for an hour before we went to his friend, Dan’s, reception since Rick was the best man. When we got out of the car and were going to go inside Rick stopped and asked me if I would go somewhere with him. I said, “yes.” He then started driving and didn’t really say anything about what we were doing. He ended up in the parking lot of the Ogden temple and started buttoning up his cuffs on his sleeves and putting on his suit coat (he only does that when he is going to church, the temple, or interviews with priesthood so I knew this was serious). I was thinking in my head, “this is the perfect setup for a proposal, but Rick doesn’t even have the ring. What is he doing?” I knew Rick didn’t have the ring because he texted me the day before asking if I could fit into a size 5 and I said I didn’t think so. He texted me back and said something like, “well I will have to wait for something else then.”We got out of the car and started walking around the temple grounds. It was pretty hot and I could tell he was sweating in his suit. I tried to not let my mind get carried away so I just started talking about whatever and he was responding. We walked around the East side of the building and were looking at the fountain. He hugged me and we were standing there embracing when all of the sudden he dropped on one knee and out of nowhere he had a pretty little box. He looked up at me and said as he opened the box to display a gorgeous ring, “Alexis Gray… will you marry me?” I don’t know what came over me, but I started blubbering and through my hands which were covering my face I said, “Yes!” He stood up and we embraced and I was giggling like a little girl the whole time. I finally spoke, “Can I put it on?” He laughed and took the ring out of the box and slid it on my finger. He said, “I’ve been carrying this around for 4 days trying to think of the best way to do this.”
After a while of soaking up the moment we went back to the car and I called my parents. They were so happy! I then called Mitzi Robinson, my best friend, on the way back to Rick’s parents house and she was screaming! It was amazing. The rest of the night was spent showing everyone at his friend’s reception my ring and talking about when we might get married. Everything since then was a blur of planning and spending time together! It was beautiful.
This picture was taken in the car right after he proposed!
We decided on a day first that was a Thursday but realized we couldn’t book the chapel because of a stake priesthood meeting that was going on that night so we moved it to the Friday. It was so easy and all the wedding plans fell in place. Deborah and I picked out and practically did the entire planning and preparing. I think I would have died if she wasn’t there for me! I picked Gold, Campaign, and White/Ivory as my colors. They are the colors of the celestial room in the bountiful temple and I love that room. Dayna took our engagement photos out by the Salt Lake and Tamara Hyde, Emily’s friend, agreed to do my bridals, temple, luncheon, and reception for a really good price. She was so easy to work with and I had such fun with her! She has amazing talent. There was only one hiccup in the plans. There was a lady that I was referred to that was going to make my wedding dress. Well I bought all the fabric and supplies and she began working on it. I went over for an initial fitting after she got the shell of the dress ready and it was a DISASTER!! It was 6 sizes too big and 5 inches off the floor! You can just fix that kind of thing. I paid her for her time and took everything bad. I was in tears, but guess who came to my rescue? DEBORAH! She is amazing. She had my dress done from start to finish in just under 2 weeks. It was gorgeous!So….time came and went and the wedding day grew closer. My days were filled with full-time work, full-time school, wedding plans, and being with my fiancé! Rick and I talked a lot about our goals and our desires for our future relationship and family. There were a lot of serious discussions that led us to feel that this was more and more a perfect fit!
These are a few of our engagement pictures. This first one was our announcement picture.
We wrote down everything about our wedding day the day after we got married and for some reason it ended up in third person. ha ha.WEDDING DAY:
November 7, 2008
Alexis couldn’t sleep…. Got up at 6:15am
Rick didn’t go to bed until 1am – up at 7
Rick picked up Alexis at Catherine’s house where she spent the night since it was closer to the Bountiful temple. Andrew was there to meet Catherine so they could ride together to the wedding. Rick and Alexis read some scriptures and said a prayer together to make sure their day was spent in the right mindset; toward Heavenly Father. They read Mosiah 2:41 & D&C 133 about marriage and obeying commandments. Andrew gave Alexis a huge hug and was sad to let his little sister go. They all took a few pictures together and shared in hugs and congratulations as Rick and Alexis headed out the door.
9am Drove to Bountiful temple.
At temple:
Filled out and signed marriage license. *Funny side note: Rick was in charge of getting the marriage license from Davis County and he totally forgot. We were driving home from something the day before and I remembered it. We ran to the county office and made it there 1 minute before it closed and got our license just in time! Wow! After filling out the paperwork we then met our parents in the lobby, got changed, had a short veil ceremony and got to sit in the Celestial room for about 15 minutes before we met our sealer: William Jones from Ogden UT.
10am The sealing:
The room was full of people, witnesses, from our entire lives. Bro. Jones talked about ordinances and covenants made in the temple and covered simple and pure doctrine focusing on the resurrection and making it to the Celestial Kingdom. He talked about us being a pure couple for God’s children to come down to and enter our marriage. God will send good children to us because we are a special couple. They have their agency, but they will be good children. He said that Alexis will be the heart of the home and Rick will surround her with the priesthood. That is the gift of gender.
When we were sealed together and he pronounced us man and wife Alexis started bawling uncontrollably and Rick shed some serious tears as well. And…. We kissed. Once we got up from the altar we embraced and soaked up the first moments of being husband and wife. We did a quick ring exchange and then hugged all of our family and friends. We then went and got in our dress and tux. Alexis was glad she decided to wear her temple dress in the sealing, not her wedding dress. It was more reverent for the sealing. And it was nice to get dressed in the brides room and put on my wedding dress and everything.
11:15am Outside the Temple and Pictures:
The lady from the temple walked us out and stood in front of us and as the doors to leave the temple opened the temple worker stepped aside to “reveal” the new couple. Everyone was lined up and cheering. We stepped out and smiled and said hi to everyone and we were off to take pictures. First we did a HUGE group shot then the Brunson family and then the Gray family. Everyone left to go help at the luncheon and Tamara Hyde (our photographer) finished talking pictures of just Rick and I. It had snowed two days before so there was still some white left on the ground. It was kind of chilly, but Rick kept me warm. We took some serious and fun pictures.
1pm Before the luncheon:
We finished with pictures a while before the luncheon. We were surprised to have some time to ourselves so we went back to our apartment and just relaxed for a few minutes before the rush of the evening.
The lady from the temple walked us out and stood in front of us and as the doors to leave the temple opened the temple worker stepped aside to “reveal” the new couple. Everyone was lined up and cheering. We stepped out and smiled and said hi to everyone and we were off to take pictures. First we did a HUGE group shot then the Brunson family and then the Gray family. Everyone left to go help at the luncheon and Tamara Hyde (our photographer) finished talking pictures of just Rick and I. It had snowed two days before so there was still some white left on the ground. It was kind of chilly, but Rick kept me warm. We took some serious and fun pictures.
1pm Before the luncheon:
We finished with pictures a while before the luncheon. We were surprised to have some time to ourselves so we went back to our apartment and just relaxed for a few minutes before the rush of the evening.
2pm The luncheon:
We were a few minutes late to the luncheon which was held at Alexis’ stake center (8000 west 2950 south in Magna). When we arrived Mike Brunson announced “We would like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Brunson” and we walked in to the luncheon and everyone was clapping and cheering. It was perfect. We ate ham, rolls, potatoes, fresh fruit, and chocolate and spice cake! Yummy!!
The toasts. Who gave them and what they talked about:
Mike (best man): brotherhood and friendship, partner in getting out of tough spots, getting to know and love Alexis. Gentleman and looked up to Rick. *Rick cried and Mike and him hugged!
Bob Brunson (father of the groom): Told funny stories about Rick and Mike helping with the lawn, it is written that when a child finds true love it brings his parents joy, so here is to our joy and their joy.
Bill Gray (father of the bride): Alexis has always been faithful in the gospel and serving a mission. Talked about the party that the members threw for alexis when she went home and how missionary work was changed because of me. Talked about how I saw Rick in Sun Valley and thought he was hot and he thought he was kind of weird and was goofy cowboy. Then Drew introduced us at the mission farewell and what I remember most is when alexis said that Rick cooked for alexis in sun valley and took his priesthood leadership role when calling on someone to say the prayer. Also Rick impressed me by asking me for my permission before asking my daughter to marry him.
Mitzi (Matron of Honor): Alexis was a good friend to me and helped me get into the musical and choirs. She was a good example to me and was by my side as I took the discussions. We have had some crazy times together, but that is what I love about Alexis she is a lot of fun. Good marriage is about strong testimonies and having fun. Rick is a good guy and I am glad to know that Alexis nabbed a good guy when she saw one. Rick, you will never be bored with Alexis around. She has a love for life and having fun.
3:05 After luncheon
Went back to the Gray’s and tried to take a nap, but Rick’s phone kept ringing. Harry called and wished us a happy day and congratulations. We then got ready to go to the reception for pictures. It was mad house with everyone there getting ready. Everyone was hanging out and trying to get dressed and ready for the night.
5:30 Pictures before the luncheon:
Bride and Bridesmaids – Cami, Deborah, Mitzi. Outside the chapel while Mike put on his tux. Then we took a couple with Rick and Bride’s maids. Then Mike and Rick took pictures. Went inside, Rick set up music. Took a bunch of pictures of the whole wedding party. Camilla Hodge and Sarah Erickson were helping at the guest book. They were also in pictures. Took pictures of whole party, Bride, Groom with each set of parents. Mike and Rick and Alexis getting carried away. Then people started showing up.
6:30 Reception
People came as early as 6:00 – Jared and Elysia Forsgren were our first guests. No formal line, just mingling and partying! Our refreshments were pancakes with every kind of topping you could think of, the best punch in the world, and strawberries and grapes. We got around to see everyone that came, lots of people came with lots of gifts, and we even got to eat an apple cinnamon pancake in the midst of all of the hubub. We weren’t even all that rushed. At 7:15 we cut the cake (sparkley glitter frosting with gold ribbons (black forest chocolate cake and raspberry swirl)). We cut the cake early enough that everyone could eat it, and it was gone in a flash. We kept greeting and then it was time for the bouquet toss and the garter toss. The bouquet toss was first with quite the crowd of bachelorettes. Claire Raymond (assisted by Amelia) who was only eight caught the bouquet. Everyone laughed and though it was a riot. Alexis’ sisters talked Rick into using his teeth to take the garter off. There was a formidable sized group of eligible bachelors as well. The garter was caught by Josh Robertson (anxiously needing a little help in that area) and took a picture with Claire. They were quite the couple. Then Rick sang “When You Say You Love Me” by Josh Groban with Alexis sitting front and center. The music kept faltering, but Rick pulled it off masterfully. At the climax and highest note of the song, the music dropped out (unexpectedly), so Rick just held the note for a long time waiting for the music to come back, and everyone started cheering. It added a little humor and a lighter side to an otherwise serious and romantic song. Perfect for the two personalities combined. Then we had our first dance together to “Amazed” by Lonestar, our song. Rick even threw in a few turns and a dip. That dance was followed by a Daddy-Daughter dance to Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole’s duet of “Unforgettable”. Rick joined with his Mom near the end. Then the whole party really started as everyone joined for the dance. Alexis special request was Prince’s “Kiss”. Smooch, smooch, smooch, smooch, smooch. It was a hit. Crazy stuff happened. Rick went crowd surfing (not by choice) and was dumped into Alexis’ arms. Alexis spun on the floor in her wedding dress when she got carried away with the music. Rick danced with his sister, and Alexis danced with her brother. Dave put on some crazy music and did a “funk walk” with Rick and the boys. Rick got raved by the guys. Then Rick and Alexis exited the chapel with a crowd of people on both sides and drove off in their trashed/decorated car that was full of balloons and more presents for the honeymoon. It was the perfect day for the perfect couple.
Even after we changed and drove to the Little America for our weekend together, we kept getting texts about how much fun everyone had at the wedding. The pancakes were a hit. A dream come true and the most fun, perfect reception ever.
We were a few minutes late to the luncheon which was held at Alexis’ stake center (8000 west 2950 south in Magna). When we arrived Mike Brunson announced “We would like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Brunson” and we walked in to the luncheon and everyone was clapping and cheering. It was perfect. We ate ham, rolls, potatoes, fresh fruit, and chocolate and spice cake! Yummy!!
The toasts. Who gave them and what they talked about:
Mike (best man): brotherhood and friendship, partner in getting out of tough spots, getting to know and love Alexis. Gentleman and looked up to Rick. *Rick cried and Mike and him hugged!
Bob Brunson (father of the groom): Told funny stories about Rick and Mike helping with the lawn, it is written that when a child finds true love it brings his parents joy, so here is to our joy and their joy.
Bill Gray (father of the bride): Alexis has always been faithful in the gospel and serving a mission. Talked about the party that the members threw for alexis when she went home and how missionary work was changed because of me. Talked about how I saw Rick in Sun Valley and thought he was hot and he thought he was kind of weird and was goofy cowboy. Then Drew introduced us at the mission farewell and what I remember most is when alexis said that Rick cooked for alexis in sun valley and took his priesthood leadership role when calling on someone to say the prayer. Also Rick impressed me by asking me for my permission before asking my daughter to marry him.
Mitzi (Matron of Honor): Alexis was a good friend to me and helped me get into the musical and choirs. She was a good example to me and was by my side as I took the discussions. We have had some crazy times together, but that is what I love about Alexis she is a lot of fun. Good marriage is about strong testimonies and having fun. Rick is a good guy and I am glad to know that Alexis nabbed a good guy when she saw one. Rick, you will never be bored with Alexis around. She has a love for life and having fun.
3:05 After luncheon
Went back to the Gray’s and tried to take a nap, but Rick’s phone kept ringing. Harry called and wished us a happy day and congratulations. We then got ready to go to the reception for pictures. It was mad house with everyone there getting ready. Everyone was hanging out and trying to get dressed and ready for the night.
5:30 Pictures before the luncheon:
Bride and Bridesmaids – Cami, Deborah, Mitzi. Outside the chapel while Mike put on his tux. Then we took a couple with Rick and Bride’s maids. Then Mike and Rick took pictures. Went inside, Rick set up music. Took a bunch of pictures of the whole wedding party. Camilla Hodge and Sarah Erickson were helping at the guest book. They were also in pictures. Took pictures of whole party, Bride, Groom with each set of parents. Mike and Rick and Alexis getting carried away. Then people started showing up.
6:30 Reception
People came as early as 6:00 – Jared and Elysia Forsgren were our first guests. No formal line, just mingling and partying! Our refreshments were pancakes with every kind of topping you could think of, the best punch in the world, and strawberries and grapes. We got around to see everyone that came, lots of people came with lots of gifts, and we even got to eat an apple cinnamon pancake in the midst of all of the hubub. We weren’t even all that rushed. At 7:15 we cut the cake (sparkley glitter frosting with gold ribbons (black forest chocolate cake and raspberry swirl)). We cut the cake early enough that everyone could eat it, and it was gone in a flash. We kept greeting and then it was time for the bouquet toss and the garter toss. The bouquet toss was first with quite the crowd of bachelorettes. Claire Raymond (assisted by Amelia) who was only eight caught the bouquet. Everyone laughed and though it was a riot. Alexis’ sisters talked Rick into using his teeth to take the garter off. There was a formidable sized group of eligible bachelors as well. The garter was caught by Josh Robertson (anxiously needing a little help in that area) and took a picture with Claire. They were quite the couple. Then Rick sang “When You Say You Love Me” by Josh Groban with Alexis sitting front and center. The music kept faltering, but Rick pulled it off masterfully. At the climax and highest note of the song, the music dropped out (unexpectedly), so Rick just held the note for a long time waiting for the music to come back, and everyone started cheering. It added a little humor and a lighter side to an otherwise serious and romantic song. Perfect for the two personalities combined. Then we had our first dance together to “Amazed” by Lonestar, our song. Rick even threw in a few turns and a dip. That dance was followed by a Daddy-Daughter dance to Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole’s duet of “Unforgettable”. Rick joined with his Mom near the end. Then the whole party really started as everyone joined for the dance. Alexis special request was Prince’s “Kiss”. Smooch, smooch, smooch, smooch, smooch. It was a hit. Crazy stuff happened. Rick went crowd surfing (not by choice) and was dumped into Alexis’ arms. Alexis spun on the floor in her wedding dress when she got carried away with the music. Rick danced with his sister, and Alexis danced with her brother. Dave put on some crazy music and did a “funk walk” with Rick and the boys. Rick got raved by the guys. Then Rick and Alexis exited the chapel with a crowd of people on both sides and drove off in their trashed/decorated car that was full of balloons and more presents for the honeymoon. It was the perfect day for the perfect couple.
Even after we changed and drove to the Little America for our weekend together, we kept getting texts about how much fun everyone had at the wedding. The pancakes were a hit. A dream come true and the most fun, perfect reception ever.
