13 Years Later, I'm Getting Married

I remember some 13 years ago when my sister, Natalie, was getting married. I was 9, and this was my first real wedding I'd ever been apart of. I learned all the ins and outs of a bridal shower, the mints that go on the plates, I became an expert on tying ribbon to invitations, I rolled scrolls and put little fake rings around them to keep them in the tight scroll. I tried on her dress and veil, I fiddled with my bouquet of flowers with the little hot glue gun droplets on them to make them look like they were freshly picked with the dew still clinging to the yellow petals. I despised the headband that would get pulled off my head every time I was hugged (I hate all sorts of head bands or those belonging to the headband family). I vaguely remember walking down the aisle as the youngest bridesmaid, and I vividly remember decorating the cake with Nana.

However, the night before Natalie was married, she slept with me in my bed downstairs of my mom and dad's house. I had those glow in the dark stars plastered all over the ceiling, a blow up chair complete with stool, a full sized bed and lots of 9 year old stuff all about. I remember thinking how cool it was to have a slumber party with my big sister, and when we turned the lights off I was so pleased with my taste in decorations as she commented on how cool my ceiling looked. I wish I could remember the conversation we had better, but, alas, my 9 year old brain was still so preoccupied with how validated I felt that my glow in the dark, stick on stars were cool.

Never the less, I do remember Natalie saying how weird it was that this was her last night single and how she couldn't believe that it was actually going to happen in the morning. I know I laid there thinking how strange it would be to be getting married. I didn't eve like boys then, and, yet, here I am, getting married in the morning.

I feel the same sentiments as my sister did 13 years ago; I can't believe I'm actually getting married in the morning, and this is my last night as Carlie Wallentine. Despite being long and inevitably mispronounced, I will miss Wallentine. However, I am lying in this queen sized bed and thinking it is rather lonely. I'm getting married in the morning, and as I think about my wonderful groom asleep in the other room with his groomsmen, I can't help but think how surreal it all feels. I've never been more sure of any decision in my life, and I am positive that Steven is by far the best man for me. I'm not sure why he loves me as he does, but I know he does, and I love him, and he knows I do, so without further ado, I will bid Wallentine adieu.