Independence Day...or is it?

To my surprise, I woke up to my alarm. I'd actually slept through the night, despite my excitement. Then it hit me, I'm getting married today! Married! I walked out of my bedroom to the smell of eggs and bacon. I have such wonderful parents, I thought, but how am I supposed to eat on a day like this?! I was able to swallow a few bites of eggs and a strip or two of bacon to hold me over. I gathered up all the things I'd need for the day, and we soon headed off to the salon for our hair appointments.

To my disappointment, the drive to Macomb was a gloomy one. It was raining on my wedding day. I'd heard that it was supposed to be good luck, but I was having a hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It was supposed to be sunny. Light breeze. Perfect.

It poured while I was getting my hair done. It poured while my mom was getting her hair done. It poured while I applied my fake toenails. It poured while I helped my bridesmaids with their fake toenails. It poured.

After all of our hair was done, my bridesmaid, Allison, my mom and I headed to Hy-Vee to pick up the boutonnieres and Mother's corsages. It was a bit awkward walking around in a grocery store on my wedding day; Ali made sure to tell everyone that she saw that I was getting married today. Soon, we headed back to the car, dodging the falling raindrops.

We headed to the church to begin getting ready. I, along with a few of my bridesmaids, headed downstairs to the restroom to do our makeup. I even dabbed a little bit of blush on each of my niece's cheeks. Our photographer met us at the church and started taking pictures while we were getting ready. Before I knew it, it was time to get into my gown.

My dress consisted of an intricate, lace-up back that my sister, and Maid of Honor, had to practice a few times before the wedding. Still, it took about 20 minutes to get it laced just right. One of the funniest quotes of the day came from my sister, Mindy, while she was lacing me up. (On her knees to be at eye level with my dress) "You should feel lucky. I don't get on my knees for just anybody." She definitely helped lighten the moment.

Once we were all beautiful and in our dresses we headed to the sanctuary to take some pictures. It was imperative that Zach not see me, or I him, before the ceremony, so our wedding parties had to be in communication with one another to make sure we didn't cross paths. They did a great job of make sure the big reveal didn't happen too early.

The guys followed us girls and I was pushed back upstairs so that Zach could take pictures with our wedding party. Luckily, I had a few girls upstairs to keep me company while I was waiting. I was counting down the minutes--Minutes! I couldn't wait to marry the love of my life.

We walked down the stairs and stood outside the sanctuary doors. I reached for a drink of water and my dad commented on how much I was shaking while I tried to take a drink. Just calm down, I told myself. This is a happy day. There's no need to feel nervous. I just couldn't believe it was all happening. This day I had been dreaming about and planning for the last two years was finally here. This day I would marry my best friend.

As I neared the sanctuary doors, I could hear my cousin Kelsey playing beautiful music on the violin. I'm so glad she could do this for us, I thought. My maid of honor started her procession down the aisle and I knew my turn was quickly approaching. I held tight to my daddy's arm as my ushers closed the sanctuary doors.

The music changed and the doors swung open. I saw Zach standing at the end of the aisle. I wanted to sprint down into his arms, but figured that would be inappropriate. Instead, I walked in step with my dad wondering how life could get any better. Somehow, the rain seemed unimportant. Zach's smile was brighter than any sun could ever be, and I'm sure mine reflected the same amount of happiness.

The ceremony was absolutely breathtaking, but it went by all too fast. We said, "I do", exchanged vows and rings, and lit our unity candle to the beautiful music of Ben Harris. Ben continued to play guitar and sing "When I Say I Do" while we took communion and prayed with each other. Pastor Jon announced us as husband and wife and we shared our first kiss as a married couple.

We greeted our guests in the foyer and exited the church while they blew bubbles around us. We drove around town for a few minutes and even received a few honking horns in response to the "Just Married" poster in our window and the pop cans tied to our bumper. Upon returning to the church, we took pictures with each other and our wedding party and families. Then it was time to party.

Our entrance to the reception was one to be remembered. Our wedding party and parents all entered from the main doors while Zach and I hid behind the projection screen on the stage. When the DJ announced us, our guests looked around and couldn't find us. Soon enough, they noticed the screen being lifted and saw Zach dip me and give me a big ole kiss.

The rest of the night consisted of dinner, dancing, toasts, and cake. We even had a little bit of karaoke toward the end. Zach and I shared our first dance to the magical lyrics of Mr. Keith Whitley--When You Say Nothing At All. We danced with our parents, our wedding party, and our guests the rest of the evening, pausing only to rehydrate.

It truly was the happiest day of our lives. Despite the rain, it couldn't have gone any better. Though it flew by and I don't remember many of the details, I wouldn't have traded that day for the world. This day I married my best friend: the one I laugh with, cry with, dream with, love.