The Best Day of My Life...

...happened just 8 years ago today. Though much has happened in the last 8 years, there are so many things about my wedding day that I will always remember:

*The first sound and sight that morning was of my sweet mother. She came in and sat on my bed. She was playing with hair and saying "It is your wedding day," in her cute little voice.

*I remember getting dressed in the Bride's room in the beautiful Bountiful Temple. It was just me, my mom and a sweet little temple worker. I remember my Mom crying and thinking I'd always remember this moment with her.

*I remember sitting with Chad in the Celestial room, just before the ceremony. I don't remember either of us being nervous, just really excited.

*I remember walking into the beautiful sealing room filled with all of our friends and family. I remember trying to sit down with my big dress and my Aunt Janet giggling because I couldn't get it to stay down very well. I also remember being so happy that my Mom got to sit next to me and hold my hand through it.

*I remember my sweet Grandpa Hess, who is now gone, doing such a beautiful job with the ceremony. I felt so proud and lucky to have such an important person to me to act as the sealer. I will be forever grateful that he was able to do that for me.

*I remember hugging all the family and friends when the ceremony was over and how I couldn't stop crying. I was so overwhelmed by the spirit, and seeing all those people that I love in one place. I was so happy. I also remember that I my veil kept falling off every time I tried to hug someone. I remember wishing my other siblings were there too.

* I remember waiting such a long time in the bride's room for Chad to get ready, so we could go out and take pictures. Finally, the sweet temple worker said "There is a handsome young man out there waiting for you," and Chad and I walked hand in hand out of the temple doors.

*I remember going to the yummy luncheon that my Mother-in-law prepared, and doing a terrible job at introducing my extended family to everybody.

*I remember the beautiful white church on the hill that my brother Jared transformed into a beautiful reception hall with, even strings of lights across the ceiling.

*I remember being so happy to see a lot of friends that I hadn't seen in years come through the line.

*I remember being very nervous that Chad was going to get cake all over my face, and very relieved that he just got a dab on my nose.

*I remember dancing with Chad, my cute Dad and my sweet Father-in-law.

*I remember Chad dancing the "Charleston" with his Grandma Thornock, and making me laugh.

*I remember finding my cousin Cole buried in the backseat of Chad's car as a stow-away, luckily before we left the parking lot.

*I remember very mixed emotions as we left that night, knowing that my home was no longer my home and Chad and I were now a new family. I knew that my life with Chad wouldn't be perfect, (who's is?) but that it would be a very happy life and looking back over the past 8 years, it truly has been just that.