29 things I hope I never forget about my wedding day

I can't even count how many people told us that our wedding day was going to fly by and that we wouldn't remember half of it. I remember trying to solidify every little moment in my brain so I would be able to constantly return to that feeling of delirious happiness. Inspired by this post and in honor of Valentines Day, I thought I'd share some things I hope that I never forget about my wedding day.

1. Seeing Ali for the first time in 2 months and getting the most excited, sincere, best friend hug you could ever imagine. She had just gotten married only 2 months before and was living in Georgia at the time. She had flew out of for back to back weddings that weekend, mine first, and her sisters the next day. It meant to world to me to have her there to celebrate such an important day.

2. Having some of my moms closest friends, and my old young women leaders completely take over a cake disaster. They took it to the kitchen, worked their magic (both in the catering business) and wouldn't let me see it until all was back in tact. I didn't even have a chance to panic about it. It was just one of those moments when you realize your mom friends are now your friends, too, and I'm not the obnoxious teenager we know caused them too many headaches once upon a time

3. Seeing Becky at our luncheon and being welcomed with the biggest hug and greeting, "my new sister!!!!"

4. My brother Mike, sharing at our luncheon the connection we've had as siblings ever since high school, and how I've always been one of his best friends. I still tear up thinking about it.

5. Scott's oldest brother Jason tearing up as he imagined his own daughter one day getting married, and then expressing that he thought Scott had finally found "the one"

6. My Dad, sharing how loyal and tenacious he thinks I am, and how those qualities will serve me well in marriage. He reflected back on the highlights of my swimming years, where those qualities really became ingrained in me. I remember how much his support meant to me during that time, and then seeing it transfer into the more important things in life (college, work, dating) has been one of the most meaningful things.

7. Scott's grandma coming up after seeing our wedding formals in a slideshow and asking if they were pictures from a ball we had attended, we really threw her for a loop with our non-traditional ways!

8. Accidentally blasting the speakers with our slide show and sending our little niece Rachel into hysterics.

9. Sitting with Scott right beforehand holding hands, both of us itching with anticipation and excitement

10. Walking into the sealing room and making eye contact with Ali, who immediately started crying tears of joy.

11. Staring at Scott  from across the alter and and feeling like I was going to burst with laughter from happiness and excitement. I remember thinking "this is the coolest thing ever!". I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

12. Afterward, getting a hug from Jayme, the only kind of hug someone who has been your friend for 13+ years can give. Who has been through every awkward phase and teenage drama with you and loved you though it all. There were instant tears at that point as well.

13. Taking a final moment alone with my mom in the Brides room before leaving the temple. It was like everything was in slow motion as I let her tie my sash, and make sure everything was straightened and in perfect order. I remember wanting to savour every tiny detail of that moment.

14. Sitting at the vanity in the Brides room at the temple putting final touches on my makeup, it's easily one of the most feminine memories I have of myself.

15. Being able to take the traditional picture with my closest high school girlfriends. Each of us has this picture of all of us together on each of our wedding days. It's still one of my favorite photos from that day.

16. After pictures at the temple, driving away in Scotts truck and saying to each other over and over "we're married!!"

17. Stopping at the gas station, him in his suit and me in my dress, just so Scott could get a coke.

18. Sitting at our reception center before everyone else arrived. My family had run to grab some peaches, Scotts family had run home to relax, and my friends had ran to grab lunch. I so cherish those moments I was able to share alone with Scott on our wedding day. It really set the tone for the rest of the evening and let us relax and be happy. I know so many people don't get that time with their spouse on their wedding day and we both knew how lucky we were to get it.

19. About halfway through our first dance, Scott and I saying to each other, "I never thought this song was so long!"

20. Having Matt there to support Scott as his best man, and being grateful for good friends for both of us.

21. Watching Scotts mom dance with my new nieces and nephews around the dance floor

22. After nobody catching my bouquet, watching Korry's daughter Brooklyn slowly creep up and claim it as hers.

23. Being showered with confetti as we left for the night, and trying hard as I could to capture the joy and love I felt in that final moment with the people I most loved on the happiest day of my life.

24. Stopping at Scotts parents house before getting on the road to clean our car off all the unmentionables that our dear friends had gifted us with.

25. Jamming to Ke$ha, per Scott's request (obviously) the whole ride to our hotel. There was probably some Beyoncè thrown in there somewhere as well.

26. Getting the most sincere and kind text from Karlie, congratulating us on our wedding, expressing how beautiful our day was, and how she hoped to find love like ours one day. It was one of the nicest things anyone ever said about my wedding.

27. Opening our "honeymoon basket" from Jayme, full of inside jokes from high school

28. Checking into our hotel only to find they had upgraded us to a private suite, as a special wedding gift

29. And then, checking into our room and running around like kids in a candy store, counting fireplaces and TVs, inspecting every cool feature just because that's what poor college newlyweds are entitled to do, right?

the very first formal picture we ever took together

Happy Valentines Day Scott! I'm sure glad I married you.