.Wedding.

Time to start getting back into “real” life again… by blogging about THE most surreal day of my life.  Well… really the surreallness started the Monday before our wedding, when my Groom arrived in Iowa. [We.would.never.have.to.say.good-bye.again…]

The week flew by, but yet was pretty low stress… my goal was to take a nap everyday, which was mostly successful.  There were days when I just laid there and prayed and pondered, but I slept for 30 min. the day before my wedding!  Everything was done and I had nothing else to think about!

CELEBRATING       .L.O.V.E.

[Note: I don’t have the professional pics yet, but you can see them here. The ones on this blog are all taken by a good friend and photographer – Ria Thurston.  You can see her blog here.]

Getting Ready – Starting at 8 AM, the girls met at Bridge City Design Studio… where we all had a blast getting our hair done and fellowshipping together!

(Not quiet done… although there was talk of me leaving my hair like this, what do you think? ) (My beautiful sister and wonderful maid-of-honor!  I’m a blessed woman to have her in my life!) 

BUT before we got started there, a few of us made a quick coffee run to “The Lucky Rooster” and started our day right :)!  There we were standing at the counter, fully focuses on what flavor we wanted to get… and I hear the door open.  SO, naturally I looked over to see who was coming in!  And who do I see?  But my wonderful groom!!! *Time seemed to stand still as he walked towards me*  It wasn’t until he looked up and saw me that reality clicked in and the flurry started! We decided not to see each other until the ceremony! One of my bridesmaids jumped in front of me, while the other escorted my shocked groom outside to see what he needed.  No one told him I was going to be there… and he was simply trying to deliver the following card and rose to someone to give to me [How Sweet!].

It was a fun moment and one that still brings a smile to my face and certainly brought a smile to the face of the coffee shop workers!

The Ceremony – it was perfect. full of joy. focused on the Lord. and blessed others.  Words cannot describe what I felt was I was FINALLY the one wearing the white dress, sneaking in the back door of the church.  I had enough coherency to sneak a couple small subway sandwiches [meat, cheese, and bread only… I’m not THAT crazy!]  Several influential women prayed over me and as several men did the same for Mike (in another room, of course!) … it was such a blessing to have each of them there!  And then…

The Music started!  Reality started to sink in… and then I turned the corner, took my dad’s arm, and started walking.  Seeing a few people along the way, and then my eyes were only for one man at the end of the isle.   IT.WAS.PERFECT.

Here are our vows – perfect reflections of our hearts and desire for Christ to be the center:

I, Michael John Batista, take you, Heidi Marie Abigt, to be my wedded wife. As is Christ to His body, the church, so I will be to you a loving and faithful husband. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, and my most tender care. I promise I will live first unto God rather than others or even you. I promise that I will lead our lives into a life of faith and hope in Christ Jesus. And so throughout life, no matter what may lie ahead of us, in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; in sickness and in health, I pledge to you my life as a loving and faithful husband.

I, Heidi Marie Abigt, take you, Michael John Batista, to be my wedded husband. As you have pledged to me your life and love, so I too happily give you my life, and in confidence submit myself to your headship as to the Lord. As is the church in her relationship to Christ, so I will be to you. I will live first unto our God and then unto you, loving you, obeying you, caring for you and ever seeking to please you. God has prepared me for you and so I will ever strengthen, help, comfort, and encourage you. Therefore, throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; in sickness and in health, I pledge to you my life as an obedient and faithful wife.

Then communion. Unity Candle. Our parents prayed over us (another beautiful moment)… and then… we got to kiss and be pronounced…

MR & MRS MICHAEL JOHN BATISTA

The Reception -  was a wonderful time of fun, fellowship and food!

Our first dance was to “Love is Not a Fight” by Warren Barfield.

Cutting the cake was an adventure… let’s just say he had more self-control than me [I got him good!].  However, at our reception in Massachusetts, this was not the case.  I had someone come up to me after we cut the cake here and say “I’ve seen alot of things, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a bride run from the cake table like you.” Yea, it was fun!

Then we escaped into the night, in a very tastefully decorated car [click to see pic].

There are many more stories I could tell of blessings we received, funny things that happened, or about how we appreciated EVERY person that came… it was OUR perfect day!