Puerto Rico

Almost two years ago I made this post on my blog. Our friends John and Vanessa finally got engaged. She said it would never happen. John knew it would. It happened, and this past Saturday, they actually tied the knot!

The wedding was in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When I tell people that I went to Puerto Rico for a wedding they automatically think that it was a destination wedding. I guess in some sorts it was, but mostly it was not. Vanessa was born and raised in Puerto Rico. That's where her family is, and that's where they wanted to get married.
So for the last two years we have had the date of their wedding, May 15th, jotted down on the calendar. We were trying--not so successfully--to save enough money to go. There was never a question that Todd would go. He was in the wedding and even if he was not, at least one of us had to be there to witness the event Vanessa so adamantly denied would ever happen! Saving money is not the easiest task with a new baby. We failed badly. We thought Todd would be going solo to the wedding, almost until the last minute. Things changed a lot from the time of the engagement to the time when we needed to RSVP to the wedding. Todd got a new job. Jocelyn got older. I got pregnant again. Todd got a bonus! That bonus was just what we needed! I booked a flight, bought a dress, and was happy I was going to be able to go to the wedding!

Then I worried. I worried a lot about actually going. I worried about leaving Jocelyn. I worried about going into labor at 32 weeks in a place so far away from home, and then being stuck in Puerto Rico for weeks while baby grew stronger in the NICU. But everything worked out. We flew to Puerto Rico from Charlotte and left Jocelyn with my parents. She had fun. She wasn't upset in the least. Todd and I had a great time, and now we are all home safe and sound. It was the first time I spent a significant period of time away from Jocelyn. After seeing Jocelyn everyday for 857 days, I spent one day--one period of 56 hours straight--without Jocelyn. It wasn't as bad as I thought. It wasn't bad at all. I missed her, and was happy to see her when we got home, but I was fine for those two days in Puerto Rico and so was she.

So, like I said, the wedding was on May 15th. It was a beautiful wedding, and when I say beautiful I mean HOT. Well, beautiful too--for sure--but it was definitely hot as well. The wedding took place in Santa Iglesia Cathedral. So beautiful. So hot. I thought everywhere would have air conditioning in Puerto Rico. I was wrong. The part I like most about the wedding was when John said his vows in Spanish and Vanessa said hers in English. I didn't think I would cry, but at that moment I did.

Vanessa looked gorgeous.

I guess John looked good too.

My Toddie looked very handsome.

And a couple of us looked pregnant. Oh wait, we were.
The reception was held in the same hotel where we were staying, right across the street from the cathedral. Hotel El Convento. Check here for the history. Amazing! It was definitely a beautiful hotel. Oh, and the rooms had air conditioning. Thank goodness!

The party was amazing! Puerto Ricans know how to party and don't take a break from dancing. John and Vanessa had a live band, who were awesome. They sang, they danced, they entertained. I danced as much as I could, but If I weren't pregnant I would have danced a lot more. A couple of Mojitos would have helped too! By the end of the night I was swelling out of my dress, my hair looked even more horrendous than when the wedding started (thanks humidity for that one), and I was sweating so much that I couldn't down enough water to keep up with it. I called it a night, but was happy that I made it nearly to midnight. The fact that I slept in that morning until 9am must have helped!
Overall, I think the wedding and trip were great. Everything seemed to go smoothly. Everyone looked great. Vanessa went through with it and actually married John. Everything was beautiful and great memories were made! Oh yeah, and it is on to the next step for these two. I saw Vanessa adamantly shaking her head 'yes' when the priest asked if they will accept children from God lovingly. I'm sure someone got it on tape as well. There's no denying it. ;)

Thanks John and Vanessa for the great memories, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!