Our Happily Ever After: Salt Lake City Trip: The Wedding

So the purpose of our trip was to attend Ashley and Jared's Wedding. Like I said in a previous post Ashley was the missionary who knocked on Aaron's door many years ago in Virginia and taught him about the Gospel resulting in his baptism. She holds a very special place in our hearts. We credit a great deal of the happiness in our life to the sacrifice she made leaving her friends, family, and life for 18 months to serve a mission. Alot could be said, but short story is we LOVE her and are forever grateful to her. Ashley has witnessed all of Aaron's ordinances, including coming to our wedding 5+ years ago. We were so happy to get to be a part of her special day, and to meet Jared.

Friday we attended a pool party at Ashley's Aunt and Uncle's house. It was a great time, and the first time we saw ashley on our trip and met her soon to be husband Jared. Aaron loved Jared right away and kept saying all weekend that he was very impressed with Jared as a person. Friday night we attend Ashley and Jared celebratory family dinner with all of their extended family. We honored to be the only friends invited. They had someone from each family stand up and introduce their family and say how they knew the couple. Aaron talked about how Ashley changed his life and how much we love her. He said it very eloquently and made a few people cry. We loved both of their families and enjoyed getting to know them and Aaron got to tell his conversion story a bunch of times which is always great. We left Dinner a little early because Amelia was very tired (time change troubles).

Saturday was the big day! Aaron attended the ceremony while I waited with Amelia outside. In the LDS church only temple recommend holding members can enter the temple, so that means no children. Aaron said there wasn't even standing room left, so many people attended. He also said the ceremony was wonderful and profound. Outside a bridal party exited the temple about every 15 minutes, and Amelia was so excited to see all the "princesses". When Aaron came out Amelia was in terror mode. She was hungry and tired. We tried to wait for Ashley and Jared to make their big exit but Amelia didn't have it in her so we left and got some lunch at the cafe in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Yummy! And Utah is so cheap compared to New England.

Later that night we attended Ashley and Jared's garden reception. Amelia fell asleep on the way there and slept until a few minutes before we left. It was a beautiful garden party with large framed pictures of the couple hung on the stone fireplace and from trees. There was a man making fresh pressed apple cider and a lady serving homemade pies in addition to wedding cake. It was great to see Ashley so happy, to meet Jared, and spend time with their friends and family. We loved Utah, but I wonder how much of that love is because we truly loved the people we were with. That was the end of our time with Ashley and Jared. We wish them the best and hope our paths cross again soon.