We'd (I'd) wrecked the van the week before. Mike had found us a repossessed 8-seater vehicle for a pittance that, with older kids mostly off on their own pursuits, fits us ... most of the time. Sadly, it would not accommodate all of us for the drive to the temple, and there was a bit of a to-do amongst the younger ones as to who would get to be with Abe for this final drive with their brother as a single man. Eventually we sorted it out (somewhat) by having Abe drive the Expedition with seven of his siblings. (What could be more sentimental for Abe than a last drive with siblings squabbling over seats?)
Partly it felt reminiscent of our final moments together before Abe left on his mission. (Not that he would be leaving us for two years mind, but the whole embarking on a big new step and the accompanying shift in family dynamics.)
And partly it felt reminiscent of our own wedding day 25 and a half years earlier. (So much similar excitement. So much nostalgia remembering that day for us. How odd to be in the role of the parent now!)
And partly it felt a completely new and unfamiliar thing all its own. (What did we know about marrying a child off?)
Interesting how life circles about and weaves experiences together to give them more weight and meaning than they might otherwise have.
In any case, we arrived at the Layton on time temple--Abe rushing to hug the girl who would come out of those doors sealed to him forever. We then left Penny (and Jesse and Anders) in charge of their little siblings (along with Devin and Melissa's kids) while the rest of us went in to see Abe and Kenya married.
Pictures followed (thank you to my sister Amy!), and then a luncheon for just the immediate family members and grandparents (and Devin and Melissa :)). And then we came back up to Logan for a reception full of many friends and old ward members at the American West Heritage Center. (I have a few cell phone pictures of that I'll add in here, but mostly photos from the reception will need to be in another post once I get around to going through all the photos Daisy nicely took while I was busy greeting and welcoming.)
It was a very happy and very full day!
Abe's high-school buddies (some have been friends with him since elementary and one has even been his college roommate).
