It was the day before my wedding and I couldn't help but be faced with many emotions! As my mind raced through all of the "lasts" I was experiencing... I pondered all of the "firsts" that were soon to come. People had told me the day before your wedding is madness and you find yourself frantically running about trying to make last minute things happen... I'm not sure if it was because we were actually very prepared or if it was simply because my Mom and Jeana were so fabulous at getting things done, but whatever the reason, my "day before" was pretty relaxed. The biggest things we were struggling to finish were the handmade lace flowers for bridesmaid bouquets! That night we sat around making, what felt like, hundreds of flowers...Around 12am we finally decided it was time to call it good and rest up a little before the big day. I remember hitting the midnight hour and saying "Oh my!! Today's the day!!". I will always remember sitting around with Shelby, Jeana & my Mom as we strung lace, burned our fingers with glue guns and glued many pearls to ourselves! Not to mention, reminisced on all of the great memories we have! So fun. :)
Once I got home I was pretty exhausted from the previous few hours so drifting to sleep, thankfully, wasn't an impossible task. I always imagined myself unable to sleep due to the approaching excitement but God was gracious and granted me a very peaceful rest. As I snuggled into bed I did lay there awhile thinking "Wow... this is the last time to sleep in MY room, the last day to be a Huse..". I awoke early refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to take on the day! I got to the church and began my transformation! The every-so-lovely Krisha Collins was my darling make-up artist.. and what a true delight. I like to brag that the same woman who has previously done the make-up for Kari Jobe was the same woman who graced me with her assistance on my special day! Krisha gave my hair/make-up as a wedding gift, and I am so very thankful. While I know that her talent alone was enough to make me thrilled, God knew I truly NEEDED her to be the one... Krisha was so kind and helpful during the day. There were many times where I would be laughing and then the next thing you know, I'd be tearing up! She was always so quick to get me laughing again or lift my spirits. Thank you Mrs. Krisha for the blessing you were/are to me- I love you!
While in the bridal room, many people came in and out, there was certainly a lot going on! Once my make-up was finished we took all of the pictures we could before the wedding, leaving only the shots where Brandon and I were together. I felt like Barbie- all dolled up and ALL smiles! After we made it through the pictures it was time to wait... and wait... for what felt like forever!
When my Daddy came into the room to see me for the first time I lost it. Even now thinking about that moment brings me to tears.... There's a special bond formed between a dad and his daughter. He hugged me, told me how beautiful he thought I looked and asked me once again if I was sure that I wanted to get married, telling me that it wasn't too late...
{This is something that is important for some of you who may feel as though my relationship with Brandon was arranged. You are correct, I did have an arranged marriage... But not in the way that you might think. I've heard that some people feel like our parents arranged the marriage or that my parents picked out my spouse... but the truth is: GOD arranged my marriage, and I feel He did a pretty spectacular job! While courtship is different than the typical dating scene, let it be known that I DID have a choice and a say in our relationship. I CHOSE to be obedient to God and embrace the calling He has for me. God brought Brandon into my life, all I did was respond to his proper pursuit of me. :) }
Once the time had arrived, I fought back tears and walked down the hallway with my Dad making my way to the main doors. I took a deep breath, clenched my Dad's arm tightly and gave the nod for the doors to be opened. My eyes took in quite a sight, SO many dear people filled the room- an overwhelming view to my left and right... but to be honest, my eyes were fixated on what was at the end of the aisle. With each step I took, I stepped closer and closer to my future, to my forever.. and with each passing step I stepped further away from the life I'd previously had, everything I'd ever known passed away as I finally stood before my handsome groom, my Brandon.
Now, everyone knows the part of a wedding ceremony where the Pastor asks "who gives this bride..". God pressed upon my Dad's heart to add to that portion by verbally transferring headship to Brandon. He was nervous initially because none of us had ever seen anything like that done before, but we knew God had lead him to do it, so he was obedient. That portion of the ceremony ended up being one of my favorite and most memorable parts. My Dad spoke of the great responsibility that comes with taking his greatest treasure and that he expected him to take the job very seriously, among other things. I had to pull out my hidden handkerchief as my Dad publicly declared his love for me and the expectations of Brandon to all present. I have never before felt so cherished- Having the two greatest men in my life acknowledging my importance.
As the ceremony continued time passed so quickly, as I'd been told it would. Before, I'd imagined myself being nervous in front of so many people, but to be honest... it felt as it were just me & Brandon up on that stage. We laughed about my handkerchief and how I even had to borrow Brandon's because I was crying so much... we laughed at my nearly catching my veil on fire when we went to do the unity candles, Brandon actually ended up having to blow my candle out!! Great memories were made to say the least.
We took communion together and had a kneeling bench where we wanted to fully humble ourselves before the Lord. Our desire, when planning our wedding, was not to put on a show or even have the most elaborate of things... but to glorify God. We were there to make a covenant with God, not to impress people. Our hearts desire was to impress and please God, but we also wanted to walk away causing people to desire strengthening their relationships with Christ. If we didn't hear a single thing about how beautiful the wedding looked or if people liked the cake but we heard others say "God was present" or "the Lord touched me"... we would know we'd accomplished our goal!
Brandon and I, in addition to the traditional vows, wanted to exchange personal vows. I stated mine and after that had my song of love and purity played for Brandon- the one I'd written for my future spouse at the age of 14: KEY After that was finished Brandon recited his personal vows and read the poem he'd written for me the night we first entered into our courtship... He also was able to, for the first time, recite the last stanza of the poem!
Shortly after the conclusion of our vows and ring exchange, it was time for the FIRST KISS! This would not only be our first kiss as man and wife but our first kiss EVER. Brandon and I each saved our first kiss for our wedding day... God had preserved us far before we even knew each other's names. After awhile of Pastor Jon (Brandon's Dad) being ornery and saying "You, Brandon... Brandon Paul Blackburn, may now... after all this time... kiss. your. bride!" we shared our first kiss :) (Pardon me while I blush, haha)
A burst of excitement rushed through me and an unexplainable joy radiated from within! My lips had ever been kissed so, being as candid as possible, they felt tingly for nearly 10 minutes afterwards! Ha!
I will always remember that moment, his public confession of purity and love meeting mine- showing people that it is indeed possible to save your first kiss for your wedding day! It was always so comical to hear people say "but... if you save your first kiss for your wedding day, how will you know how to kiss? How will you know if you're any good at it?".. Ummm, even if I wasn't any good... that's something I wouldn't want to be practicing with a million other boys in an attempt to perfect. NOW, I can practice all I want and my husband will be the only one to know my faults and/or perfection ;) I delight in knowing that my husband loved ME so much (before he even knew me!) that he forsook everyone else to preserve himself for me and I know he delights that I showed the same amount of self-control... He knows my heart is 100% his- always has been, always will be. (Proverbs 31:12)
FINALLY- We were man and wife! After waiting so long, we were now embarking on the greatest adventure man has ever known... the beautiful journey of marriage. Before excitedly making our way down the aisle (and onto a few more smooches :P) we presented roses to our Mom's as a sign of honor and respect. We wanted to make sure they knew how much we loved and valued them!
I bet you're probably growing a bit tired of this post so I will bring it to a close for now, but I will have a few more things to share soon, pertaining to our reception, marriage, etc...
I hope you tune in as I wrap up this chapter of our love story... the conclusion is upon us, my friends. :)
-Taylor
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