A few more pics: Bride and Groom

A few more pics: Bridesmaids and Groomsmen - Carolyn Marie Photography

These are just a few of the gems that we got from our fabulous photographer. We are so pleased with the results!

Our Wedding

I truly believe that my wedding day was the happiest day of my life. There were so many reason for us to have a quiet, small day - with just a few choice family in attendance, but we are so thankful that we made it a major event! There is so much joy in celebrating with all of your family and friends, and the blessings are worth all the stress that come along with planning a huge event like this. From the sewing of the dresses, to the landscaping, to the weather worries, to the hospital visits (my dad stepped on a hornets nest three days before the wedding), to the arguments, to the general chaos, let's be honest here - planning a wedding is a little like putting a Broadway show on it's feet. But unlike a play, there is no acting. It's real-life and there are so many emotions attached to the day, it's hard not to take everything personal. Things seemed to be slightly out of control the days before the wedding, but the morning of August 29th, the sky cleared, the sun came out and a hot breezy day emerged. Everything went off without a hitch. It was so amazing how everything came together so perfectly. Walking down the isle was momentous. Both my dad and I barely held it together. I rarely cry, but it look all my willpower to not burst out into a major wailing fit when the music played and people began to stand. I really felt like I was going to loose it. Somehow we managed to keep it together, but not without me breaking out into massive sweat. I mean, it was INTENSE. From there on in, though, I just relaxed and enjoyed the perfect day. It really, really was a dream day - "magical" as Raph calls it. I can't express how deep and meaningful it was to have so many people there, and so much love in one room. And the reception was just a fun, fun, event. It was so incredibly classy and casual at the same time - it was just the way I had envisioned it. I really do understand now, why people celebrate anniversaries - it's such a special day, it's meant to be remembered for a lifetime.

Curves Shower

The wonderful woman at Curves threw me a massive shower on August the 5th. Hosted in the happy home of Jill Rae 30 guests showered me love, food, presents, and laughter! I was so incredibly blessed by this event. What a memory! And what a fabulous job that I have, working with such generous women.

Hot enough for ya?

Wowzers! My dreams have come true, because we are in the middle of a massive heat wave! We had such a cold winter, I have been longing for this weather to come and now it is here in full force! Today I took the day off work and all I've done is lie in my front yard and literally hose myself down every 15 minutes. I think the neighbors should start paying a fee because I'm putting on quite a show. It is SO HOT OUT!! Today was the first day where I really felt lethargic and my cool basement suiete started to crawl up in temperature. I thought I was lucky living in such a cool place but it seems that even my chilly haven has turned on me. I'm not complaining though - I really come alive in this kind of weather - I think I was born in the wrong country because I'm such a sun bunny. I have so been enjoying my own sunny knowl and I know that Raph is just cooking in his apartment. That will be me next year! But, for now - I enjoy my yard, and my garden hose - and soaking shirts in the sink, ringing them out and wearing them until they dry. It really actually works - if your hot, try it out!

Celebration of Lights 2009

A member of mine won two VIP passes to see the fireworks above the bathhouses right at English Bay in a closed off area. She couldn't use the tickets, so she gave them to Raph and I. We were all too pleased to not have to slog it out with the masses for a spot on the beach and by getting there a bit early, we reserved ourselves (seriously) the BEST seats in the house - right in front of the barge, in the front row, center. We were right by the speakers, so for the first time ever, the fireworks were timed exactly with the music, not being delayed by the space. And they were perfect. They seemed, to us, to be the best fireworks ever seen on the face of planet earth and I "ooohed" and "awwwwhed" the entire time. They seemed as though they were being done just for us. Probably one of the most satifying things about being on this enclosed deck of lucky people was the fact that we had our own toilet up there. Sitting above the bathrooms, we saw thousands of people waiting in line. I didn't have to go to the bathroom, but I went anyways, just because I could.
Thanks Zuzanna for giving us such a romantic date!

South Vancouver vs Kits vs Greendale vs Point Grey

Oh the many places I exist!
Every weekend between now and the wedding, I am going home to Chilliwack to do planning and to hang out at the family farm. I've done this for the past two weekends (Thursday night to Sunday night) and it's been enormously helpful in getting things set up for the big day. This past weekend I finalized my flowers, and made some pretty big steps towards picking my table decorations. I also met with my seamstress again and we're working towards making my dress and the bridesmaid dresses a perfect fit. There were of course, many other things that I did that weekend, including celebrate my niece's birthday party. 12 year old girls are full of energy! What an awkward time of life - but so beautiful too. This for me, as well, is a bit of an awkward time, as I pass between what seems like several worlds. For the past few years, I've gone from one end of Vancouver to the other end of the fraser valley on what seems like a weekly basis. It feels so interesting to be on the brink of a major change since for so, so, so many years - things have just been the same. I wonder what it will be like to relocate to Kits in a perminant basis. It's so loud and tiring there - with tourist and young people. It's such a luxurious place to live, yet I think I feel most at home when I'm simply at the farm. Country living vs. City living: It's on my mind several times every single day of my life. One thing I know for sure - it's such a pleasure to have this extended youth, staying at home with my parents on the weekends. I often feel so blessed to have been given all this gentle time with my family that so very few of my friends have recieved. People often ask me if I'm excited to get married - of course I'm excited, but I also believe in living in the moment, and savouring every season of life for what it's worth. So, I do embrace these last few days of singleness, and the last few moments of being a Dueck. It annoys me when people just think that getting married is a time of squeals and parties - it's also a time of change, reflection and some loss. I think people don't like to focus on those things, but I believe it's healthy to look at it with seriousness. It's a change, and change is always uncertain.