Katelyn and Devin are married!

Earlier this month, we drove down to Indianapolis to begin the wedding celebration of my sister-in-law, Katelyn, and her (then) fiancé, Devin.

We left on Friday morning, lunches and snacks packed for the drive. Arlo protested the carseat for a bit, and then slept, Finn and Cooper enjoyed looking at some Legend of Zelda sticker and activity books we got for them (actually very cool!), and I did some sock knitting while Nicholas drove. We arrived early enough to check in to our hotel room and relax a bit before getting ready for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The big boys were very enthusiastic about staying in a hotel, so there was a lot of energy in the room.

We drove to the venue to see family, the wedding party, and Katelyn and Devin. Cooper and Finn took their job of "ring bearers," very seriously.

The rehearsal went well and we all enjoyed a delicious taco bar. Nicholas' Grandma met Arlo for the first time and got some snuggles. And my father-in-law and his friend Kate held Arlo while Nicholas and I ate, as well. We could tell just how excited Katelyn and Devin (and the entire party, in attendance) were about the next day!

I will mention here that this posts features some photos from family and friends who attended and were able to capture some moments that I couldn't. :)

Saturday morning, we woke up and ate breakfast in our room (sourdough bagels that I made, baked PB oatmeal for the boys, and hard boiled eggs and sausage). My FIL hung out with Cooper and Finn while Nicholas dropped off me and Arlo at the wedding venue to spend time with the bride-to-be and the bridal party and get ready for the big day. The matron of honor brought coffee (thank you, Angelica!) and the maid of honor brought fruit and breakfast casserole and other goodies (thank you, Sarah!) Arlo was his charming, smiley self and just hung out with the girls all day as we chatted and took turns getting our hair and/or makeup done and asking Katelyn, "Can you believe you're getting married today?" as one does on such a significant day.

While the girls got ready, Nicholas took the boys on a long walk around downtown Indy. They went up in the tower in Monument Circle and walked to Whole Foods for lunch.

After some lunch, it was time for us to start getting dressed for first looks. My parents and brother arrived and took care of Arlo as we all finished last minute preparations and as guests started to arrive. And then we got to see Katelyn in her dress, all ready for the ceremony – what a stunning bride, so excited to marry the love of her life.

We all lined up to enter the ceremony, family and wedding party first, and then it was Cooper and Finn's turn. They walked very solemnly down the aisle and very slowly, I might add, especially Finn. Cooper helped keep the pace by holding his little brother's hand. Nicholas' Aunt Julie picked up Finn at the front and he promptly fell asleep on her lap. The flower girl made her entrance with her mama, adorable as ever. And then, it was time for the bride. My father-in-law proudly walked his daughter down the aisle, and there were very few dry eyes in the room.

The ceremony was a thoughtful, heartfelt, and God-honoring establishment of the covenant of marriage. The couple exchanged vows and Pastor Steve pronounced them husband and wife. Thank you, Lord!

After the ceremony, the photographer took some photos of the family. So special to be together to celebrate, all in one place.

After photos and a cocktail hour with snacks, the reception began. My FIL's speech was incredibly well-done. Thoughtful and well-spoken and a beautiful tribute to my late mother-in-law, Karen. I don't think I've cried so much at wedding, other than my own, perhaps.

And since my family was there celebrating Katelyn and Devin, I did want to mention that my parents celebrated their forty-fifth wedding anniversary on the very same day!

The matron of honor and maid of honor gave heartfelt and funny speeches as well, and again, there were more tears. And somewhere in there, I missed a few of the groomsmen speeches, because I snuck upstairs with a certain three-year-old who needed some familiar food that we brought with us.

The reception and dancing were so much fun! They had glow sticks which were fun for everyone, but they were beyond cool for the 3-5 year old guests, let me tell you. Cooper and Finn had a blast dancing, assembling glow stick bracelets and necklaces and eating donuts from the donut wall. At this point, Arlo needed some more mama snuggles, so I wore him in the carrier on the dance floor and joined in for a few songs before bringing our tired boys back to the hotel for some much-needed sleep, all of us tired and happy.

The next morning, we packed up, checked out of our hotel and then went to one of the Patachou locations for breakfast. It was delicious and prompt and I appreciate the sourdough toast, build your own omelets (cooked in butter), bacon, fruit, and a waffle for the boys to split, and a coffee bar for Nicholas and I. And Arlo even got a little nap at the table.

Katelyn and I talked many times about the years of prayers and waiting and then the succinct and rapid answer to those prayers – the way life can change rapidly over the course of less than two years. To think that nine years later, she would end up marrying a guy she went on a couple of dates with back in 2016!

What a gift to celebrate the love between a new husband and wife. A covenant love, mirroring Christ's love for the church. A chance to recognize answered prayers and remembered spouses, absent here but present in heaven. Glimpsing the beauty and joy God has for us in the gift of marriage. I couldn't help but think of our own wedding, nearly thirteen years ago. So young and in love and excited for the life we would share together – and what a full and wonderful life that has been so far!

Blessings and joy and prayers for the beginning of a lifetime together, Katelyn and Devin. We love you guys so much!

On my family's drive back to Minnesota on Sunday, they stopped by our house so we could visit for a bit and do belated birthday gifts for Finn (who just turned three!) and early birthday gifts for Cooper (who will be six next month, I can hardly believe it). And my brother's birthday was the week prior to the wedding, so we celebrated him as well! I knit a Mixed rib hat for him (mentioned in my previous post) and I think he really liked it. Sunday happened to be chilly and wet, so it was surprisingly appropriate wool-hat-wearing-weather.

My family gave Finn some new clothes (he already has some favorite pieces in the roundup, and he's picky!), God Hears Me, a helicopter Lego set, and a beautiful "sibling" (ie not quite twin, but definitely related) handmade quilt by my mom. We love Grandma's quilts! And my parents brought some Playmobil that was mine as a kid, and the boys absolutely loved that.

For Cooper's (early) birthday gifts, he received a spaceship Lego set, some clothes (he is growing so fast!), a sweet picture book called The Love Letter, and the gift he saved for last, because he was so excited for it: an antique skeleton key that has been in our family for a long time. We're pretty sure it was the original key for my great grandparents' home in Duluth, MN. As a boy who is very excited by all things "treasure," this fits the bill!

It was a short visit, but so good to have some time together before they drove home. I asked my mom questions about my plants (because I always do) and everyone got some Arlo snuggles, and we exchanged hugs. Thank you for helping with Arlo on the day of the wedding and for loving our boys so well. We love you guys!