I married this man.
We had a wonderful wedding. Complete with family, friends, and snow. It was beautiful, but hazardous to those who had traveled from far away. On Thursday afternoon, I picked up my wedding dress at 4pm. The rain started to fall just as it arrived safely inside the car. In the morning on Friday, it began to snow and by our 6pm wedding it was a white blanket covering the ground, cars and roads.
During the wedding, several interesting experiences happened. First, the wedding cake didn't show up. For some reason our cake designer confused the days and thought the wedding was on Saturday instead of Friday night. Thankfully my wedding coordinator was on top of it...otherwise we wouldn't have eaten our beautiful cake. During the ceremony, I dropped the ring, it rolled down the steps. On the video you can faintly hear me say...this doesn't mean I don't want to marry you as Michael scurries to pick it up. I would have done it myself but I was sort of stuck with my train fanned out, propped up on the stage like a fence post in cement.
After the wedding and reception, we headed toward home for our first night as a married couple. It was late...and we were hungry. So we searched for a place to eat. What did we find? But a Denny's. So we ate some good old fashion pancakes as our first meal as a married couple.
So...to let you in on a little secret, we then went home and crashed- no consummating. It was late and I was bushed. We were just so excited to be done with the day. Due to the weather: AKA Blizzard of '99, we had left some of the things at the church "to do" in the morning. So, we weren't planning on the leisurely wake up late, lay in your newlywed pajamas day...there was business to tend to, packing to be done, and a honeymoon destination in which to arrive.
So, we got up in the morning to find what? I ask you? not MORE SNOW!?! It was beautiful, but kind of hindering the plans of these blissful, young newlyweds. We packed, we dressed, and headed out in Michael's mom's van. We had gifts to transport and suitcases to carry, which given the current weather situation wouldn't do well in the small 2 door, open bed, pick up truck Michael owned. We finished the chores at the church and called OHP to check on the roads. Michael had planned a wonderful, short, inexpensive trip to a lovely bed and breakfast. Remember, we were young and blissful, and broke.
The Highway Patrol Officers assured us the road conditions were drivable if going to Oklahoma City- south...and indeed we were. As we headed west toward 1-35, we found ourselves inside some of the worst driving conditions I have ever seen, people. This was serious. There were two ruts with about 6 feet of snow drifts on each side. I am not exaggerating. Everything was covered in white. If this was a road less traveled for us, we would have been lost in the middle of nothing but stark white blowing sideways snow. Road signs were covered, the ditches and turn around areas were unrecognizable. We had no way to safely turn around to our warm home, so we kept driving west for 28 miles. We arrived at our exit, 3 hours later! The longest 28 miles of my life.
I have forgot to mention that during our 3 hour "tour", my dear, sweet, thoughtful caring husband, has cried twice afraid he was going to end marriage less than 24 hours into it. He carefully steered the car, going the most logical speed for the conditions, and prayed that we would make it to our destination-safely and in one piece. Once we reached the exit, we had a decision to make...keep going or turn back. As we got closer to the exit for I-35 south, we saw that our decision was made for us. A 18 wheeler truck was jack-knifed, blocking the exit ramp. So...we would go home. We exited as if we would go north on 35 and then planned to exit immediately and return the the east bound 2 ruts in the road...but as all fate would have it, another 18 wheeler was jack-knifed on our return route. Now...we are heading north...the exact way we were instructed NOT to go. "The roads were worse the further north you go....." these words of the OHP echoed through my head...at that moment I was assured we were only a few feet from the North Pole.
We headed north for a few more miles to a safe spot to turn around. After 4 hours of driving in what was marked as good road conditions (I would hate to see what was bad!) we were exhausted tired and cold. The snow and wind were so strong that the windshield wipers would freeze to the car. I would hop out and tap them off every few miles. This devotion created my hair to become wet and curly and my make up to wear off leaving a red chapped face behind.
Michael said " Hey we have some extra cash we received as gifts, let's stop in Perry for the night." We would use the cash for a hotel and we would take a break from this weather. Perry is a small place, not too busy. I was sure the plan would work. I was ready for a long hot shower and a nice warm bed to lay down my head. We arrived at a hotel only to find them full. The front desk person then gave me directions to the National Guard Amory and said, you can stay there! "Oh, no! I said, we will be staying at the hotel down the street!" So we went there...they said the same thing. I was crushed. All I wanted was a bed, a hot shower and to sleep. But, we had no choice. The hotel warned us to road north of there was closed and we would more than likely be turned back to the armory if we continued south as they were preparing to close the road. So we headed to the state armory in Perry.
Behind this door...awaits....such....luxory....and...the...best...honeymoon...ever!
This is the set up we first entered. Travelers headed north taking refuge. They fed us soup for dinner and breakfast the next morning.
These were these were the sleeping quarters...
notice the Doritos bag and the Bible on the pillow. The two most important things (not in that order). Thankfully we had some quilts in the car and were able to for-go the army's wool blanket and small pillows. We picked a quiet, semi-secluded spot off the main room, hoping to make light of what seemed to be a desperate situation. Not how this 20 year old newly wed had envisioned her honeymoon! I made some quick friends with a Nebraska college rowing team as I stood in line waiting to call my parents who were probably worried sick. The rowing team learned of our fate...stuck in the armory on the honeymoon and made some funny jokes about sleeping under the stage. I guess word travels fast, because after about an hour of trying to sleep, we were awaken by the News 9 crew who wanted an interview. REALLY? You have got to be joking? It is after midnight, I have been asleep, I look like some kind of I don't even know what...and you want to put me on TV?
Did I mention...I also slept alongside my mother-in-law and father-in-law. Who found themselves in the same desperate situation trying to return home after another wedding? Or that the next morning, I was recognized by the Wal-Mart check out clerk for my TV interview. But, after all, it wouldn't be too hard, I was in the same clothes!
So as we celebrate 10 years of marriage, I would say that I can mostly chuckle at the events that surrounded that day. It seems like yesterday but so long ago. We are different people, living a different life, but loving each other more!
Happy Anniversary, My Love! You are my one and only!
