He Did, She Did, I Gave a Speech (aka College Roomie's Wedding!)

"So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you."  ~Paulo Coelho

Y'all.  College Roomie and McCain (who votes for changing his name to Mr. College Roomie??) can throw a wedding.  Holy moly, did I have a blast! Prepare for photo overload.

There were like 50 people who journeyed across the country to watch these two get hitched in the San Juan Islands.  We traveled by plane, bus, ferry and shuttle.

It was a bit of an adventure getting to Roache Harbor on the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State (heck, it's a bit of an ordeal just saying that), but if you ever get the chance to go, take it.  You will not be sorry.  I deemed this the most beautiful place I have ever seen in America. It was fantastic.

On Thursday, the girls headed to Friday Harbor to do a little shopping and wondering around.  We had a great time in this adorable little town!

Sadly, we did not buy the hats.

After lunch, Nomad and Emily from Friends took us on a hike down to the ocean at the American Camp.  It was beautiful.  Like, breathtakingly beautiful.

I have to tell you a bit about this.  See, in the 1800's there were both Americans and English on the island.  Well a war started when there was an English pig who was trespassing in an American garden, and the Americans shot him.  No lie.  Here's proof.

Emily from Friends, you recall, is from England.  Well I felt so bad that I apologized to her for shooting the pig.  She assured me that she, and her people, forgave us.  Phew.  (Although when she got a few drinks in her and a cannon was fired off during the lowering of the flags, she did say, "Bam, I shot your pig."  So I think she may not quite be over it.)

Oh, I can't leave this out.  Nomad was driving and I made him stop to let me take pictures of all churches and livestock.  When I screamed, "Cows, stop now!"  He said, "This is embarrassing."  He's not use to an ag girl, obviously!

Cattle, sheep, alpacas, log fence, old church

That night was the rehearsal dinner, which was a beautiful bbq along the harbor.  Seriously gorgeous!

My totes amaz roomies. :)

And then someone (guilty!) suggested we hit up the karaoke bar I had seen in Friday Harbor.  It was pizza, Chinese and karaoke all in one place.....you can't pass something like that up.  We managed to convince most of the contingent to go along, and this is what happened next....

Songs may have included I'm Sexy and I Know It, Wannabe (by Emily from Friends and  The Americans),
Rose Garden, Sweet Caroline, Billie Jean, Love Story, Livin' on a Prayer, Danger Zone....

Friday was the big day.....we spent most of it in College Roomie's room getting beautiful.  And having dance parties.  That involved the Groom's mother.  And the songs Thrift Shop and Fancy ala my girl Reba.  We're cool like that.

Then came the big reveal.  Remember the dress shopping experience?  Well if not, go read that link.  So College Roomie told no one which of the two final dresses she picked.  We did a dress reveal instead.  Here is what that looked like....

Mind you, I told myself to remember I was being photographed...
this is my "pretty" face.  Good  grief almighty.

Then we took lots of pictures.

Right before this shot, I had ahold of College Roomie's arm.
The photographer made me let go because I was squishing her.
I told him I didn't want to give her away to McCain!  He
thought I was strange.

Then the two love birds said "I do" in the most perfect ceremony.

Going in for the chest bump.  Yep, it happened.  Again.

Perfection.

When the ceremony was buzzed by a plane...

And, now, the moment you have all been waiting for.  One of the other sweet bridesmaids, Mrs. Arizona, recorded my speech.  That's right, kids, you can see it in all its glory.  (I start at about 1:00.)



I'm hoping for this to go viral, get rich, and never have to do anything but blog, write a book, and feed cows for the rest of my life.  What?  A girl can dream.

And then, there was some dancing.  And it was glorious.  Fav song of the night?  Thrift Shop.  "I got 30 dollars in my pocket, and a 90,000 credit limit...."  Oh, wait, that's just the Judge Aunt Sandy version.

The girls dancing with their daddies.

I've deemed myself a member of this family.

Gettin down.

I'm not sure how this happened or why.

 And then, it was time for the last dance of the evening.  Everyone got a partner.  The bride and groom got me.

All happy and together.  As it should be.

On Saturday we all big farewell to the islands and our newlyweds.  It was the perfect wedding for the perfect couple and I loved being a part of it!

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. College Roomie!