worth all the waiting

After months of anticipation, we threw our bags into our car on Friday and headed down to Cambria for Josh and Sarah's wedding. My aggravated nerves about playing the piano and singing at the ceremony held some of my enjoyment back until the ceremony began. But I'm already moving forward with my recap too quickly -- let me back up a bit.

Friday evening after the rehearsal dinner, the bride, her bridesmaids, and a few others (including me!) met at a hot springs spa in Paso Robles. For two hours we indulged in some much-needed rest while we shared stories, drank wine, and offered words of preparation to Sarah, the bride. While I sat there surrounded by these women, I remembered a part of a book I read called The Red Tent where the women of a village spent days tending to women who were about to be married, painting the bride's face and hands with intricate designs, braiding her hair, bringing her sweet wine, and clothing her with luxurious fabrics. So in some ways, the evening at the spa felt sacred to me.

The wedding itself was probably the best one I've ever attended, as far as I'm concerned. The music for the processional was a Sigur Ros song (Glossoli), perhaps the most perfect song I can think of for such an occasion. I wonder if there was a single square inch of skin in that sanctuary without chills as the back doors opened and the radiant bride was presented to her awe-struck groom. If you know what a precious couple these two are, then you understand how full my heart was as I listened to them exhange their vows of committment to each other. Jon and I enjoyed playing our song more than any time we practiced it, and felt quite good about how it came out. And then the bride and groom kissed. And kissed. And kissed and kissed and kissed. . .



The reception was held in a big, open barn. An alcove was decorated in vintage wallpaper and fabric where guests were invited to come have their pictures taken wearing vintage hats, scarves, and other fun accessories. It was a guest book of sorts, where people wrote their message to Josh & Sarah on a chalkboard and held it while their photos were taken. A good friend of the happy couple (and mine!), Julie, made a decadent chocolate raspberry cake. We all hoarded our pieces of it and savored every bite.



We had so many good conversations, made exciting new connections with people we'd not really known before . . . it all just gave more fuel to the Santa Barbara fire that's in us. As we walked back to our car, I told Jon that I felt like the whole weekend was like the climax of the processional song. We were surrounded by so much beauty, joy. . . just so much intense goodness. Coming off of that left me feeling a bit disoriented, but mostly just more whole and content.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Demolar.