Picture of their CD cover

Last night my mom, Mitch, and I went to my sister’s concert. She is in a band with her friend Jake called the Sweater Friends and this was their cd release concert at Kilby Court. It was a good concert, but the venue was scary!! It is located down an alley downtown in an old garage that has been converted into a stage. It was dirty with no where to sit and complete with its own fire pit out back. The only redeeming thing was that it seemed to be air conditioned or at least had some sort of air circulation.

Anyway, on to the concert. The opening act was a girl by the name of Mari Ellon who sang and played the guitar. Her husband joined her on a few songs to play the bongos. He did a good job, but he stared at her the entire time he was playing…it was awkward and creepy at the same time. The girl did have a nice voice although as my mom said, she sounds like the Little Mermaid. It was clearly her first show and she was really nervous – so nervous that she misspelled her name for us. Good times. She played 5 or 6 songs and then it was on to the Sweater Friends.

Their set included some new songs as well as some old goodies. They did a good job, but their guitars were so loud it was hard to hear the vocals at some parts. Nevertheless, there was a good sized crow there to support them including Danielle (my sister’s co-worker) who was ideal. After their set they sold their CDs for $5 (well worth the 5 bucks for 11 songs of fun music). Sadly, we had to take off so Mitch could study, but apparently up next was a traveling band from Seattle. There were supposed to be really good, so it is too bad we couldn’t stay to partake - maybe next time.

If you are interested in learning more about the Sweater Friends, check out their myspace page at: www.myspace.com/thesweaterfriends

One week ago from today, Mitchell and I were jointed together as husband and wife in front of our family and friends. We were blessed to have such a lovely day to cherish forever, but it wasn’t without some bumps (but not the normal wedding bumps – those were somehow meaningless and at the back of my mind). A few days before the wedding, my dad was rushed to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. They discovered he had a blockage in his small intestine. Then the day before the wedding, the doctors decided they needed to operate, but were hoping they could do it mainly with just lasers. However, after they began the operation, they discovered they would have to make at least a small incision. The doctors told us he would most likely be able to come home the day of the wedding. We were all so relieved and happy he was going to be okay.

Then came the day of the wedding. Things were hectic but running smoothly. We had a morning rehearsal and did some decorating and then I was off to get my hair and make-up done. Things had been going back and forth between whether or not my dad would be released all day. Then my mom called me about 2:00pm to tell me that dad had not been released and that he would not be released at all that day. I was devastated and my heart broke. I wanted more than anything in the moment to have my dad walk be the one to walk me down the aisle. Shortly thereafter, the doctors decided to let him go to just the ceremony and then he would have to go right back to the hospital. Prayers are answered. My dad did indeed make it and in his pale and pain-ridden state, he walked me lovingly down the aisle and gave me away.

The ceremony was performed by my bishop. He explained covenants, gave us some advice, and then we exchanged vows and rings. It was an amazing moment in both of our lives and we are both so happy to be together!! The rest of the night was spent taking pictures, greeting guests, cutting the cake, throwing the bouquet, and dancing. We were exhausted, but happy by the end of the night. Then it was off to Seattle to the Salish Lodge and Spa. We spent six days there relaxing and site-seeing. Now we are back to reality and trying to figure out how to live life as husband and wife. Yeah!!

So the lesson is – don’t sweat the small stuff and remember what is really important. I have seen way too many brides cry over flowers, jewelry, and dresses. Well, after crying over my dad, I have a whole new perspective of what weddings are all about.