Sam's Wedding

This past weekend, Alicia, Peter, Kate, Ryan, and I went down to Arizona for this beautiful girl's wedding:

Sammy!

Sammy is one of the cutest, sweetest, and all around best people I have ever met. It was the first time I got to see her since she left on her mission almost two years ago, so I was so happy to get to be part of her amazing day! She looked so gorgeous and was so happy and giggly! I didn't really get much of a chance to interact with Nathanael, but he seems amazing. And he must be because Sam would never marry anyone who wasn't. 

Sam and Nathanael

We stayed the night in Provo Thursday night and started out early Friday morning. It is a fairly long drive, but it was actually really fun. We brought "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" CDs to listen to, but the whole way down we only got through 1 1/2 CDs because we had too much to discuss. And I'm pretty sure we covered the full range of possible topics. Once we got to Glendale, we stopped at Shannon's house for dinner and to catch up. Then we girls went to Sammy's bachelorette party while Ryan took Peter to the Instacare. (Side story: Peter is never sick and had never been to Instacare before this trip. He was super nervous, which sort of made me laugh. He's a funny sick person.) The party was fun, but mostly because it was great to get to see and talk to Sammy. I forgot how much I love that girl!

We slept at Sam's Grandma's house and woke up fairly early the next morning to go over to Sam's to get ready. When we got back to pick up the boys, we discovered Alicia hadn't brought Peter any church pants. Luckily Sam's Grandma has an eye for such things and knew that a certain guy in her ward was the same size. She totally saved the day on that one! While everyone else was in the sealing, I sat outside and did some homework. The weather was so amazing! I loved it!

Yay! They're married!

So, Ryan was put in charge of the camera, for some odd reason. Therefore, there are a lot of odd pictures of all of us. And me, in particular, because a theme was Ryan acting creepy toward me, me calling him out on it, and Peter informing me I needed a little more creepiness in my life. ...Yep...

Random picture 1

Oh Peeta!

Random Picture 2

We're either eating the flowers or singing into them.

So attractive!

Kate!

Leesh, Shan, Me, and Kate

Random Picture 3. Also, I actually did my own make-up. Amy was so proud!

Taking pictures was highly entertaining, especially when the photographer was having us do serious/seductive faces. Not our specialty. She did ones with everyone and then decided to do close up shots. As she came up to Alicia and I, Alicia said, "Oh no!" which promtly made both of us burst out laughing and tell the photographer she was going to have to start on the other side. Alicia was also disappointed that we hadn't done the "cheering while the couple kiss" picture. But when she imitated what she would do, it looked more like a war cry. (Don't worry, she finally got to do it at the reception). The other great joke that came from pictures was the phrase, "Give the people what they want!"

Right as we finished pictures, Magerin, Kate's ex-boyfriend, walked past on his way to get married. We didn't say anything, but we had a good laugh. Then we went over to eat lunch with both of the families, during which one of Sam's uncles tried to set Shannon up with another one of her uncles. So glad I live in Provo and am only 20.

Since we had about an hour and a half to kill before we needed to be at the reception for pictures, we went back to the place we were staying. Ryan, Kate, and Peter all took a nap for a few minutes. Shannon and I laid down, but just ended up talking and were soon joined by Alicia since she couldn't stand the number of noises in the other room. Even though it was only for a few minutes, laying on that air mattress with my sisters giggling was probably one of my favorite moments of the trip. 

The reception was amazing! Seriously, my mom would have died. There were tons of antiques and a sweet shop. So many little, beautiful touches.

At the reception

Peter and Alicia

Sisters

Story: We decided Ryan was our brother on this trip. So this is our family picture. Also, Ryan is attempting to tickle Shannon and I, which explains our faces.

The AWESOME old car

Love Ryan and Kate!

Little Touches

More Awesome Decorations

By the time the reception actually started, Sam was exhausted and both Alicia and Shannon were starting to get a headache. So Shannon and I ran to the nearest store, Walgreens, and picked up a Red Bull for Sam and a couple of Dr. Peppers for the rest of us. The lady at the register looked at us super weird at first and then tried to make a bunch of lame jokes when we explained we were matching because of a wedding.

Shannon looking tiredly at the Red Bull and Dr. Pepper

Once Sam and Nathanael decided they were done with the line, they cut the cake and did the traditional garder and bouquet toss. The last semi-awkward moment of the day came when Peter realized the girl who caught the bouquet was the first girlfriend he had after his mission. So basically I was the only one who didn't feel awkward that day. Score! 

Probably one of the funnest parts of the night was dancing. Since we didn't know anyone, we had a blast just dancing and making fools of ourselves. And, turns out, Peter is quite the dancer. Who knew? It really was a ton of fun. (Even though Peter got sick again and left about halfway through. Poor guy.) At one point we were basically the only ones dancing, so I'm sure the photographer got a lot of...very attractive pictures of us. 

Right before they left, Sam sang to Nathanael. Normally I would think it was weird, but it was completely cute and Sam was just so beautiful. Afterward, we sent them off with sparklers and then went back to help clean up. Kate was totally blown away at how quickly Sam and Nathanael got away and that the entire reception was pretty much cleaned up by the time we left at about 9:30.

After a quick, but funny stop at the grocery store to pick up food for the way home, we went back to Sam's Grandma's and went to bed. Early the next morning we set back off for home. This time we listened to more of the Harry Potter CDs, which was totally fine with me. Plus, since Peter has never read any of them, he had a lot of questions and I felt super smart that I knew all of the answers.

I loved that I got to see a completely different side to Peter on this trip. The more time I spend with him the more I love him. (You did good, Leesh!). I also loved that I got to spend so much time with some of my very best friends. Until this trip, Alicia and Peter didn't know Ryan very well (and vice verse) and I am glad they got to become such good friends. I love all of them so much, so it means a lot to me that they all know and love each other, too! It was definitely an exhausting weekend, but it was so much fun!

Wonderful Day

Well, yesterday was the long awaited day:  Kate and Ryan's wedding day!

They were sealed in the Bountiful Temple at 10:20 and I started tearing up the second they walked out of the temple.  Kate looked absolutely gorgeous in her dress and I've never seen either of them look so happy.  I really started to cry while I hugged Ryan.  We hugged for a long time and he told me how much he wished I could have been there for the ceremony.  I felt exactly the same way.  There is nothing I wish more than that I could have been there.  I've had a few siblings get married, but never have I felt more sad that I had missed such an important event, partly because I'm actually at an age that it would have been possible for me to be there.  Then I got to hug Kate for a long time too, my crying setting off her crying.  After, I moved out of the way so that other people could congratulate them, since I had sort of jumped in there right off.

My best friend is beautiful!

Pictures went super fast thanks to their efficient photographer.  Alicia, Shannon, and I all got to be her bridesmaids, along with her sisters Nicole, Jessica, and Haley and Britny was the last one.  Britny was hurrying back from the airport after a long delay in Hawaii, but luckily she was able to make it for at least a few pictures, and the ones that really mattered.  

We loved seeing pictures of little kid chubby Ryan at the luncheon.  The spoof, surprise song the Beckstrands sang was also awesome!  When Nicole, Jessica, and Haley got up to sing "Astonishing", I started crying again. Jennifer explained how the song embodied Kate and everything she has tried to be, the truth of which really hit home as they were singing.  Each of Ryan and Kate's siblings spoke, then Kate's parents and finally Kate and Ryan.  I cried through basically all of the speeches, but Ryan's had me sobbing.  He and Kate didn't break eye contact the entire time he was talking.  If it wasn't for the fact that he was holding a microphone, I don't think either of them would have remembered anyone else was there.  Seeing the love they have for one another and knowing the obstacles they've overcome to get there was beautiful.  It didn't hurt that Ryan has a way with words that very few people possess.

The reception was absolutely Kate.  When she came to hug me before she left, we were talking about how wonderful everything was and Kate said that it was perfect and that everything turned out exactly the way she had dreamed. I'm so glad their day could be everything they'd hoped for.

Outside of my family, there are no two people who have had more of a profound impact on my life.  They've become my family.  I'm so grateful for the constant love, help, support, and friendship they have shown me.  I know that I would not be the same person if it weren't for them and I am so grateful for them!

Congratulations to my two best friends!  Love you! 

  

Number 4

This morning, Anne, Erin, Zach and I woke up early to make Jessica breakfast before a big, important interview.  It was so delightful to actually be with so many people I love.  On our way to school, Erin and I were talking about how us four roommates are basically never home all at the same time.  Erin said, "Anne has all her meetings, Jess has work and her boyfriend, I study all the time (and I added that she also has a boyfriend) and you have school and number 4."  

I just laughed, mostly because it is true.  Number 4 is what we call Ryan's apartment in our ward.  And I spend a lot of time there.  

In our ward, number 4 is kind of like Grand Central Station.  People are always walking in and out at random times.  It is the designated movie, sports, Psych, and Once Upon A Time watching apartment (yes, we have a Psych and Once Upon A Time obsession).  At this moment, I can only think of one time I've been in their apartment when someone random didn't come in, at least for a minute.  Why?  Cause these guys are awesome!  (Note:  They've had more roommates, but these are the core ones.)

Eric is one of the first people I met in Provo that I liked.  See, being a freshman in a much older ward has its disadvantages.  One of them being that when you first meet the people in the ward and you tell them you are 18 (after they ask, of course...I never volunteered the information) there is very little variation in their reactions.  Surprise is always there, which is fine.  I can handle surprise.  It's the patronizing "oh well isn't that cool" from the girls and the I-have-to-get-out-of-here-as-fast-as-I-can-so-you-don't-attack-me look from the boys (apparently "freshman" and "boy-crazy" are synonyms), both followed by the other person not so tactfully looking for someone else to talk to that is hard to swallow.  It wasn't that way with Eric though.  He didn't even bat an eye when I said I was an 18 year old freshman.  He just continued to ask me questions about my life like he really wanted to know.  He will never know how much that meant to me.  The most amazing thing?  He is completely genuine.  When he talks to you, it is because he sincerely wants to.  He always focuses his attention on the conversation he is having and acts like who he is talking to is the only important person in the room.  

Someday, I want to be as good of a listener as he is.  Eric is also super hard working, seriously the kid is always doing homework or at work. He's super good at the guitar and he makes some of the best cookies you will ever eat!

Wes.  What can I say?  He's crazy.  Even though we were in the same ward all last year, I didn't really get to know Wes until this summer/fall.  I must admit, at first I just thought he was a huge goof.  Which is partially true.  But underneath all that goof is a super smart and hard working kid.  School seems to be so easy for him.  It probably isn't, but he would never let you know that.  He always seems to be in a good mood and joking around.  My favorite thing is when he'll say something completely untrue to a group of people who don't know him very well and they believe him 100% because they can't tell when he is being serious and when he is joking.  Granted, it is hard sometimes.  Most of the time I just assume he's joking.  This lucky kid also happens to have been my home teacher this year (along with Ryan).  Can't say I have ever enjoyed home teaching quite so much.  Or laughed quite so hard.  I feel like I learn new things about him every day, like the fact that he is a pretty good piano player and also bought a trumpet last year so he could brush up on his trumpet skills that have been lying dormant since about eighth grade.

He's a nutrition major (again, like Ryan) and gives me a hard time often about the fact that I don't eat enough meat.  He keeps trying to convince me that all of it is just so good.  He's also tried many times to convince me that mustaches are cool/attractive/a good idea.  Needless to say it hasn't worked.  But it's a good effort.

Ryan is the other roommate.  I could repeat everything I've already said, but I'll just say that I might have met Eric first, but Ryan is my best friend of this apartment.

One of my all-time favorites of them:  Ryan, Wes, and Eric

Engaged!

Two of my very favorite people in the world got engaged this weekend:  Kate and Ryan.

Pretty typical for them, Halloween 2011

These two are some of the most amazing people I know.  I met Ryan when he was assigned to be my home teacher my first semester of school (he's my home teacher this year too...I'm not sure how I lucked out having him twice).  My first memory of him is him sitting/bouncing on our living room floor.  Yes, bouncing.  That is the best way to describe him.  He cannot sit still for almost anything, with the exception being studying.  He's a marathon studier.  He has always been the best home teacher.  He tried really hard to get me involved in the ward, even when I resisted.  But I will always be eternally grateful that he cared.  He is seriously one of my heroes, and would be completely mortified if he knew I'd said that.  He tries harder than anyone I've ever met to overcome his faults.  I am continuously amazed at his strength.  Few people recognize the flaws in themselves better than Ryan.  In a world afraid to truly look at itself because of what it might find, he forces himself to do so, motivated by the desire to be better than he has been.  He is all about serving others, which drives me crazy sometimes (like when he tries to do my dishes before I even finish eating).  But it is a great thing really.
Ryan and I have a unique relationship.  He's kind of like my big brother.  He's the kind of kid who always puts his arm around me, asks me how I'm doing, and doesn't believe me for a second when I lie about being "fine."  He's also always on my side, even when it comes to situations with people he's known a lot longer and should logically have more loyalty to.  He tries to protect me and teases me the same way my brothers do.  It's nice to have a brother around all the time.

He really hates getting his picture taken

He is one of the most passionate people I know.  Do not get him started on one of his soapboxes because you will never hear the end of it.  I think one of my favorite rants is the "Housing in Provo" rant.  It's classic.

He is also one of those people who is good at everything he does.  Seriously.  He is a nutrition major with a 4.0 and medical school aspirations, is one of the most beautiful writers I've seen in a long time, plays baseball like a mad man, is a natural with kids, and can speak intelligently on almost any subject because in addition to being well read, he thinks about everything very carefully in order to form his opinions.  The fact that he is good at everything has its disadvantages though as he changes his mind of what he wants to do with his life frequently.  Those are always the best:  the days Kate would come home and say, "Ryan's decided to be a..."  So far as I can remember the list has included a researcher, professor, high school chemistry teacher, doctor and lawyer.  He also wants to join the Peace Corps or do Teach for America.  

As if we didn't already spend enough time together, with him dating my best friend and being my home teacher, we are currently the Activities Committee Co-chairs.  He was it before me, which means I knew we'd be working together before he did.  I couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my face when I stood up and looked over at him when they announced my calling.  People in the ward think we must have bribed the bishop.

Cute Kate

I know I've talked about Kate before, but I have to add a little more.  She's just amazing.  Seriously, it was one of the luckiest days of my life when Alicia and Kate decided to live together freshman year.  She is extremely passionate and most of the time unafraid to show emotion, at least to me.  She knows how to throw herself into things and is willing to do so in order to reap the benefits.  Sometimes she falls, and falls hard, but she always picks herself back up and tries again.  More than anyone, she has taught be about love and the power of unconditional love.  Everything else in this world is better accomplished when built on a foundation of love.  She loves to talk.  Actually, talk isn't the right word.  She loves to discuss.  I have learned more about myself through her asking me questions than I thought was possible.  And she never takes cop-out answers.  She is so loyal sometimes it's ridiculous.  There have been times when she has been much more upset at what she perceives to be injustices done to me than I am.  She has been there for me through every hard thing I have gone through in the past year and a half.  In a stage saturated with change, she has been a rock solid foundation.  She's a talented actress, too.  I love watching her act because of the emotional connection she creates with the character, which is then transferred to you as an audience member.  She knows how to work hard and is willing to do almost anything to get what she wants and needs.  

When Kate makes changes, she makes big changes.  When she decides that she needs to improve this or that, she does it and refuses to give up.  She's beautiful, brave, and constantly looking for ways to improve the lives of others.  And I miss her more than I can say.

On Kate's birthday, July 2011

Friday, February 3, in the stairwell of her apartment building in Washington D.C. these two wonderful people officially made their plans to be together forever.  The wedding date is June 1st.  And I can't wait!