Sarah and I traveled to Phoenix last weekend to partake in Alicia and Jeff's wedding festivities, and had a blast! Long story short, we spent the weekend with lots of family, from both my parents' sides, from all over the country.
Though not my idea, I officiated the wedding ceremony. The couple and their attendants all looked great, and it went smoothly. It was none too long, as requested by the bride and groom. Though sufficiently scripted, there was an exception of an ad-libbed "YAY" on my part, to fill an awkward moment when the cue to start the recessional was missed. The couple didn't seem too upset. I am afraid, however, that I plan to retire from wedding officiating on that note, because it seems like a high one.
The wedding was at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Scottsdale, which was a truly memorable venue: cacti and more flora than you'd ever imagine in the desert in a sprawling, labyrinthine complex of a park. It was fascinating in the daylight, then enchanting in the dark: the park was just isolated enough to seem like the reception terrace was remote and floating on its own with a mountain behind it, covered in lit up cacti.
I have a total of four cousins on both sides, and despite this being a very small number, I don't recall the last time all of them plus my sisters and I were together. I hadn't seen my cousin Andrew since 2010, for example. We don't get together often enough, and I wish we could, along with much other family that we get to see all too seldom.
In any case, we relish that time together and savor it until the next get-together. Congrats Lic and Jeff!
