Once upon a time in the mountains of Estes Park on September 16th..

It started as a regular early morning with a long agenda.  We checked-in to the Mountain Chateau the evening before with luggage and loads of boxes of all sizes.  Before opening anything, I had to see the view from the balcony.   I put on my cotton plush robe and ran across the granite floor barefooted.  I threw open the balcony door to a mountain view like you would only see in a magazine, no photo could do it justice.  I took in a huge breath and inhaled the crisp mountain air.

And I thought “So this is it, Today is the day, Monday September 16th!”

A gentle knock at our room door meant our breakfast arrived and it was the start of our big day. We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony overlooking the chateau and the Rocky Mountains.  Absolutely breath taking! 

Calls and text messages begin flooding in, but with coffee in hand we’re ready for lift-off.

Family begin to arrive to move our boxes to our dressing rooms, and I leave the quietness of the room and prepare to meet our hairstylist/make-up artist.  A sweet girl with long golden hair greets us and starts our timeline with beautifying all the ladies.  The rest of our party divided up all the boxes according to their destinations in the venue and we begin decorating the Reception ballroom,  the wedding Ceremony Arch / Cross, and Welcome area.

Jonathan and Joshua hover for a few moments awaiting for my eye contact.  They ask me if they could help, and I took a deep breath and hugged them.  “Yes, thank you for asking, how wonderful of you.” I give them some important tasks and away they went.  I look around and see family coming along side us to help make our vision a reality.   This was for us, and the feeling of determination, love and gratitude outweighed the nervousness.

I peel away from decor set-up as it was my turn to get my hair styled, and I would be the longest to sit in my stylists chair.  We chit-chatted about random life things and all things wedding until she was done curling and braiding my hair.  She remained a bubbly and positive person in our Getting Ready salon for the rest of the afternoon.  Trays of deli wraps and veggies come out for lunch; I happily invited them. And Mimosas come out courtesy of my Matron of Honor.

Decorations were finally finished, and all the ladies come into take their seat to apply their make-up.  I look around the salon at women coming together beautifully, and together we felt the pressures of the clock.

On the other side, I was unaware some of the gentlemen were scrambling to stay on track.  Small issues continued to surface:  wardrobe malfunctions, disappearing/reappearing act of family members and essential items.  We might of reached a light simmer, but we felt fortunate to not reach boiling point.

Our amazing photographer enters the room with a gorgeous smile and camera in- hand after capturing other details.  She explains that the gentlemen need more time so we will switch to photos of First Looks with my dad/stepdad and then with my bridesmaids.  This is where I connect the dots mentally, “the guys are having problems and some are not even ready.” I take some moments to breathe and look out at the mountain landscaping, then walk out of the balcony doors and across the beautiful wooden deck.

First Looks with my dad and stepdad went smoothly and strategically.  Afterall, I had to stay unseen and out of sight from Benjamin.  My bridesmaids walk out from the chateau like a breath of fresh air.  I saw that every woman walking towards me played a big part of our morning, and I was happy to capture some moments with them.

At 3:15 our guests start rolling in, and I saw their expressions and responses to the beauty of the chateau.  It was such an easy response when looking at the scenery and I shared the same reaction; the Della Terra Chateau was high into the hills and tucked away along the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park.  I’m enjoying their expressions, but this also meant we were behind schedule, and it was time to duck away and hide.

My event manager calls on her staff.  A gentleman comes rushing around the pathway and pulls up like a knight in a shining golf cart.  My Matron of Honor Cas tries to hide me away as we jump onto the golf cart, and drive around the chateau avoiding guests.

From there to 3:45 it was like an instant time change.  I felt like scrambled eggs for a moment while we got last minute things taken care of.  We packed our things up in the salon and waited for all guests to be seated.

My wedding party began lining up for the Procession, and I was scooped up by the golf cart knight and hidden away in a brick and stone gazebo as if it was like a princess in a tower overlooking the land. I looked out of the stone gazebo and saw my mom and mother-in-law, the bridesmaids, groomsmen and my boys (they were also walking in the procession), and I saw my Benjamin.

My eyes well up at the sight: everything and everyone I love is out there.  Family from all over the United States came to witness this very moment. Very few things kept my eyes from releasing a downpour; the fact that I had freshly applied make-up on my face, and both my dad and step-dad walk up the stone stairs with smiles on their faces and ready to walk me down the aisle.

I carefully navigate my way down the stone stairs in my emerald-green heels, hand in arms of both my dad and stepdad. I felt supported and secure by the two men that have loved me all of my life. Through ALL the ups and downs, and many moments where we did not see eye to eye, they were still there at one of the biggest moments of mine and the boy’s lives. It seemed like I walked a mile, but I’m sure it was because I was so focused on not falling and I was mesmerized by the stone and wood bridge that led to the ceremony site.  My eyes eventually drew away from the distractions and refocused…

…waiting for me at the end of the bridge, patiently, as he normally is with me. Our eyes lock on each other and everyone disappears, I see him silently mouth, “Wow, so beautiful.”

We slowly walk into position. Breaking eye contact at this point proved to be so difficult, I did not notice the crowd’s tears, nor did I notice my mom, being mom.  I heard Pastor Charlie’s words and looked at Ben like it was only us three. 

Our ceremony and pronouncement led to many sniffling noses, happy tears, and bigger than ever smiles.

And then we looked down on a beautifully decorated table with a paper with the words, “Marriage License: State of Colorado” and we signed on the dotted lines intended for the Bride and Groom and waited for the pastor to officiate it. And it was here that we were also married in the eyes of the government.

Ben and I pick up the pre-poured champagne flutes to share a moment to breathe and “cheers” to our current success. We did it!

Our photographer Logan waited for us on the other side of the bridge to resume collecting our precious moments. And as we walk up the pathway, we see all our guests enjoying cocktail hour and adding to an already beautiful atmosphere with joyous conversation and laughter.

Everything about the 16th was phenomenal. We appreciated the grandeur of the mountains, enjoyed our outdoor ceremony, the reception was incredible, and we danced the night away.

I believe this is what one would call “cloud 9,” except we were probably higher than that. Everything came together so beautifully; we had the presence and support of our family and close friends, and most of all we finally found each other. We had both been abandoned and mistreated in our past relationships and in different ways we felt the effects of that. God could not place anyone better than Ben in my life that could show the boys and I unconditional love. And I’m blessed to have him the way that he is. All I can pray for is that I can love and care for Ben in all the ways that he deserves to be.

We had our kiss as husband and wife in the secluded and breath-taking natural cathedral of the Rocky Mountains. Reminds me of the Bible scripture in Isaiah “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you” (Isa. 55:12). Indeed, the mountains, hills, and Colorado burst into song for us. The lush green mountain began changing into its fall attire, the Colorado clouds held back their raindrops, and at the end of our evening we had the blessing of a full moon like none before. (Coincidentally, it was the start of the Autumn Moon Festival in China that means unity, happiness and blessing). As Scripture would mention before, the moon is the marking of seasons (Psalm 104:19) and is a testament to God’s enduring love (Psalms 136:9). Only He sets the moon in its place and time, and it is here that I take it as a blessing from God that we have come full circle because of His enduring Love.

We set out to create a beautiful and intimate moment and a once-in-a lifetime experience for ourselves and our guests. We are celebrating our success in that! There were a few hiccups along the way, but God blessed us with a supernatural peace that kept us (me, lol) sane. At the end of the day, we are still the same people we both fell in love with.

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||Thanks||

To:  Tanya and Mark for rescuing our Matron of Honor’s dress and for always being there for us.

And….

To: Winfield, Terry & Sally, Mary, Jason & Casey, Jason & Martha, Michael & Betty, Jonathan & Joshua

Thank you to our wonderful wedding party and family for helping to make our dreams and visions for our day come true. We could not have done it without you. You guys are the best, we love you!

Tami & Ben

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