A year and a week ago, part 5
Finally it was time. I was shuffled into the other end of the house, and my stepmother loaned me a handkerchief from her family. I had my something old, new, borrowed, and blue. I even had the silver sixpence for the shoe. (Yes, I went and found one on eBay. I’m that dorky. And yes, it was old enough it was silver.) Everyone lined up in the hallway that I used to traipse up and down while visiting my great-grandmother. This time we were going down the hallway into a former bedroom, now library, into a brand new living room to see Jared and I get married. I took Dad’s arm, Karen grinned at me, and off we went.
I remember looking up, seeing Jared, and promptly not making eye contact. It wasn’t nerves. It wasn’t me suddenly freaking out. I’d hit the point where I was either going to start screaming in joy, laughing hysterically in joy, or burst into tears from sheer happiness overload, and I was terribly afraid it was going to be tears if I looked at him. I didn’t dare look at Robin either, although I could sense pleased contentment coming from him and Karen both. Dad gave me over to Jared, and the ceremony, the one we’d not rehearsed at all, just talked over with the JP separately 10 minutes before the wedding, got underway.
Next thing I know, we’re kissing, and heading out the way I came in while everyone is clapping. We stopped mid-hallway, looked at each other, and started grinning like lunatics. More kissing, and I heard two things: clicking from one end of the hall, and giggling “whoops!” from the other. It hit me finally that the giggling was from Karen and Robin following us, seeing us stop, and then them turning around and blocking anyone else from coming down the hall. The clicking got sorted out a minute later when I recognized Brandall, our photographer, fussing at us to quit kissing in the hallway already and come out where she had better light. More laughter from everyone and we obeyed Brandall, heading into the old living room where she was frantically taking pictures.
While Jared and I were off having photos taken, Jim had kicked into Logistics mode again, shuffled everyone out of the new living room and was setting up tables everywhere there was space. By the time Jared and I got back inside from taking pictures with both our families, the house was again transformed. Everyone was busy chatting away with each other, people that had never met were introducing themselves, and there was so much of a good time being had, I had to ask Barbaree, who has hosted many a gathering, if she could point out to people that we had food. Barbaree giggled and rounded everyone up to get them to start in on the food.
Jared and I finally got a plate of food and were able to sit down and eat. Beth, our caterer, did an amazing job, and everyone raved about the food. I was just happy I managed to snag one of the last red velvet cheesecake bites on the table. (Oh man, those are sooo good.) Somewhere in there, we cut the cake and made toasts. Robin’s toast was sweet and loving. Karen’s almost made me burst into tears. (Damn you, wench!) After Karen’s toast, I stood up and read my thank you to everyone, which was actually posted here on our wedding day. I’d thought I could make it through it without crying, but got choked up at one point, before struggling on. I’ve always been one to deal with things by wanting people to laugh, so my thank you to all of the technology and online areas of our lives I figured would get giggles. I wasn’t expecting the room to fall over dying laughing, and I have to admit, I was pleased at the reaction. 
(Yes, Robin, you could have left in the geeky parts in your toast. ) Jared stood up and for the first time ever, I heard him get choked up. That’s when I almost completely lost it.
After a while, Jared and I looked at each other and agreed it was time for us to leave. Everyone headed outside, birdseed in hand, and a few minutes later, Jared and I braved the gauntlet, being pelted the whole way. We laughed, got birdseed in uncomfortable places, and raced to the car to head to the hotel. Once in our room, Jared found out that while I might have been coated with birdseed and he didn’t look that bad, at least mine was stuck to hairspray on my head. On his head, it went straight to his scalp, which caused him to swear and me to giggle. Showers were taken, relaxing was had, and just before room service shut down, food was ordered. The day had finally caught up to us late that night and we both found ourselves starving, even though we’d both made efforts to eat that day. Room Service at Inn at Ole Miss? We so love you.
The next day, we met anyone that wanted to come at the Inn’s Sunday brunch buffet. We’d heard it was good, but had no idea until we walked in there how massive it was. You could literally eat your way from cereal and toast, through pancakes and omelets (made to order), into prime rib, catfish, and mounds of fried chicken and everything in between. Just an amazing amount and variety of food. And don’t even get me started on the desserts. My god, the eclairs were killer. I had 3 and really wished that I’d been able to walk out with a dozen more.
But the best part wasn’t the food, although it was awesome. It was being able to see family and friends one last time before they headed out for home. Once we said our goodbyes to everyone, we headed back to Mom’s, packed up the remainder of our stuff, and then headed for home ourselves.
