things i hope to never forget

On the 21st of September one of my best friends was sealed to her husband for time and all eternity.
I was able to attend her sealing, and it is something I will remember and cherish forever. I don't remember much from my sealing since I was truly focused on not crying. You know those little signs that have the red words running across them over and over? One of those ran through my head my entire sealing that said "don't cry." It didn't work and I still cried but not as bad as I would have if I hadn't been talking myself out of it the whole time! I was so excited to attend Hailee's wedding for lots of reasons! First, because she has been one of my best friends for so long. Second, because she was having Dale Gubler seal her as well and I was hoping it would be similar to mine. I was in luck.

{things i hope to never forget from my wedding day}

-the first thing Dale Gubler said in our sealing was that we were in the presence of God and other angels. Then he went on to name my Grandpa Gates, Alex's Grandpa Arlo, and my brother Kameron. This is what started all the tears, because I truly felt as though they were with me on my special day. Typing this is bringing back those tears and I am so happy that I have the knowledge that I will be able to be with my loved ones once again.
-we have incredible support from both our families. As Alex and I entered the sealing room together we were overwhelmed with the amount of people that were there to support us on our decision to be married. The chairs were easily filled, and after all the people who ended up having to stand there was literally no room left. 
-our friends are the best. Alex was so lucky to have all of his friends in the temple with us. They are all such good kids and they have accepted me from the start, I love them all and I think they are such great kids. It was really great to have Taylor and Paige in with us as well, I love being able to go to the temple with them it is so much fun, even though Paige and I haven't had a time where we haven't gotten lost yet. {luckily there are the sweetest ladies in the temple just waiting for people like us to get lost and they help us out every time.} I wish that my friends could have been there, but I am so excited that I will get the opportunity to be to every one of their temple sealings, and what a wonderful experience that will be. I am so blessed to have such great friends.

-before Alex and I entered the sealing room, they had us sit in a little room together that overlooked the temple grounds. It had a beautiful view, and the room was gorgeous. We were in there for probably twenty minutes while all of our family and friends packed in to the sealing room. I will never forget those last twenty minutes before we were married. They were pefect. We laughed, talked, cried, and enjoyed every minute of being together. We were so excited to be sealed for time and all eternity.

-the brides room in the temple. Words cannot describe how gorgeous it is. My mom and Grandma Gates were able to come with me and help me get ready for the sealing, and then after as they helped me change in to my wedding dress and fix my makeup from all the tears. They also had to try and make me laugh because the tears were still flowin' steady by the time we got done with the sealing, and I just didn't have time for tears ha.
-the temple ladies. On the day of your wedding the ladies in the temple make a big fuss about you and make you feel so special even though there are ten other weddings that day. They hug you and tell you how pretty you are. They give you presents and ask if they can be the one to walk you around the temple that day. They are the sweetest, and I will never forget the kindness they showed me. 

-my sweet husband during the sealing. During the sealing Alex held my hand the whole time. My hands were sweaty and I had to keep wiping the tears but he held it tight the whole time. I loved it.

It was the best day of my life, and I hope to never forget the small and simple things that made it so special for us.