im gonna get married

For documentary purposes, lets talk about the days leading up the wedding. 

And leave the wedding day for a long and glorious post all on its on. 

Rudy and I were to get married on June 14th. 

I work at a school where it is incredibly difficult to take days off. 

The last day of school was June 13th. 

I didn't even ask for the days off, I just basically told everyone I wasn't going to be there and luckily they understood and were ok with it. 

My last day of school was our field day.

I was in charge of planning it and I procrastinated it for week. Finally Brad helped me and we came up with a pretty awesome obstacle course. 

The teachers had to demonstrate for the students and we did a boys vs. girls race and obviously the girls won. It was really fun. 

Every year we plan a way to trick the kids and getting them wet. Last year we had a surprise water balloon fight. 

This year we backed them agains the gym and told them we were taking a class photo. 

They didn't know teachers had climbed on the roof.... 

It was awesome and the kids freaked out. 

That night Rudy and I were up late packing for our drive to California in the morning. It was really surreal knowing that we were packing for our wedding that weekend. 

We got in early start in the morning, on the road just after 5 AM. 

The good thing about being in the car for a long is that I fall asleep really easily. Anyone thats been in the car with me  for longer than 30 mins can probably attest to that. So I feel asleep really fast. 

The bad thing about being in the car for a long time is that I can get slightly annoyed with Rudy. HA

Ive almost made a no car rule with him. 

I mean, I have to put up with stunts like this...

and sometimes worse. He likes to sing ridiculously and then talks in about 5 different accents and impersonations. Funny at first....

So I am slightly surprised we made it to California. 

I woke up in St. George and we did a session in the Temple. 

Rudy's mission president is on another mission in the Visitor's Center. 

We stopped by and gave them announcement for the wedding and chatted for a bit. 

We arrived that evening and I spend some time with Christina and Lillie. 

A last little friend hang out as a single lady!

Kelly and the kids arrived that night and I was so excited that they were there. 

In the morning Laura and her family came. 

It was so special for me knowing that my whole family was there for me and my wedding.

 I loved that. 

On Friday I was excited to see this pop up on my computer. 

And I loved getting this snap chat from my roommates. Love them so much!

The highlight of the day was all of the girls went to get their nails done for the big day. 

Cute little Lyla got her nails done for the first time. She was acting crazy excited when we got there and then she got a little in trouble for dropping the nail polish by a worker and she was quiet the rest of the time. 

I had the hardest time ever picking out my nail color! How do you decide what to get for the biggest day of your life! 

I can't remember exactly what else we did, but there was hanging out by the pool, and getting dinner all together. 

That night I do remember staying up a little late and watching TV with Kelly and my dad. 

My dad told me it was my last night being a Robins girl and being single. 

And although I was fine with changing my marital status, I was pretty sad at losing my name. 

Good thing its still my middle name! 

my best friends wedding.

two Saturdays ago, my best friend Alyssa

aka my cousin. my sister. 

went and got MARRIED. 

She looked absolutely stunning. And I am so grateful that she let me spend Friday night and all day Saturday with her celebrating on her special day.

On Friday night I was able to go down to the Temple apartments and spend the night with the whole Richardson clan. We were all so excited and Im sure a little nervous. And as Alyssa and I shared a bed that night I loved being able to have a little sleepover and spend the night before her wedding together. We stayed up a bit late the night before and got up way early to start getting ready.

I gave her a big hug when she had to leave to walk to the temple.

And I gave her a big hug when she came out as Mrs. Clyde.

And I was a little teary eyed too.

We got to take lots of pictures.

And I loved becoming her go-to girl in fixing her hair, carrying her dress and helping her pose for the pictures.
I was astonished at how beautiful she looked all day.
Even in the rain.
Throughout the day Jaron and I became best friends too.

I love that kid. He is a lucky man!
And her reception was just as gorgeous.
I loved so many things about it.

(especially the appearance of hot dj. ha)
Us and the crew danced the night away in celebration too.

I helped her change out of her dress (I was a pro working that dress)
and she was off for her honeymoon!
Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Jaron Clyde!

I love you both.

i love this boy.

And her name is Alyssa. 

AKA

AJ. Boy. Slaveant. 

Alyssa and her fam moved into the GH ward when I was about 11 and she was 9. And from then on I dont remember a time that we were not friends. 

In HS, along with our other BFFs we formed the Blonde Burgade.

and yes, we know NOW that is it spelled wrong.

We were the GH girls and we bonded over a love for Ronald Reagan, the Spice Girls, putting up with the GH boys, sleepovers, gold fish and creme cheese and taking pictures with statues.

Before my senior year of HS I practically lived at Jennalyn and Alyssa's house. I slept over on most nights, ate dinner with their fam and spent our nights playing hide and go seek in the neighborhood with the boys and then gossiping late at night. 

The Blonde Burgade may have decimated a bit, but Alyssa and I are still going strong.

We think the exact same thing, talk a million miles a minute when we are together, love gnomes and making gremlin noises, still love Ronald, love dancing with each other, Zac Efron and every once in awhile we like to hold hands--I dont know why or how it happens, it just does. We even have this weird thing of taking almost kissing photos. 

We always love telling people we are cousins, and love it even more when they believe us.

Now this lover of mine is getting married in 16 DAYS.

When she texted me the night of the proposal I cried, for three reasons:

1. I was oh so happy for her.

2. I was scared. I know from lots of experience that friendships change once people start getting married and I didnt want that to happen with us. 

3. Honestly, I was sad. I didnt think/ want Alyssa to get married before me.

But Alyssa has turned out to be the best engaged person ever.

Although I attribute a lot of it--most of is--to the fact that her fiance is in Utah.

She still hangs out with all of us and the boys, even her ex. She still holds my hand. She comes to the singles ward, the activities, movie nights, firesides and even dances. She doesnt even know how many days until her wedding. I have to remind her. 

The best part of her wedding--for me at least--is that she asked me to be a bridesmaid. Just me and her sisters--something a true sister or cousin gets to do. 

I could not be more honored that Alyssa asked me to be in her wedding. It means the world to me. This is a title I have always wanted. Most girls may not like it--Always the bridesmaid, and not the bride--but im ok with that. its something you only give to your most closest and loved friends and I couldnt be more excited to help her celebrate her special day. 

Because I am still scared of #2 happening from my list, I made Alyssa pinky promise that our friendship wont change when she gets married. Although we cant hold hands as much and she wont be as excited to have sleepovers with me, I know we will still love each other, gossip and get excited to see each other. 

Thanks Alyssa for being an amazing BFF.

We have been friends for over a decade.
My longest lasting friendship.

I love you girl...I mean, boy.