Part 3

"We are engaged!!!!!" were the words I said to my mom on the phone minutes after it happened. I was so happy, ecstatic, overwhelmed with joy, and every other emotion that comes with being engaged.


I was so happy this happened on a Saturday so I could flaunt my beautiful ring around at church the next day!! Hehe


Now the wedding planning really began! Did I mention I had already picked out my wedding dress a month earlier....me. rushing. no!!!!!!!! lol


We picked date, started calling people that meant the world to us to stand up with us on our beautiful day, picked out dresses, chose tux's, and looked through tons of magazines. I had all the flowers picked out and ordered and the church was set in stone of course. Wait......the church........we HAD the church set in stone!


I orginally wanted an outdoor garden wedding but if you know anything about where i'm from than you know that an outdoor wedding in aug. is probably not the best idea!! The weather is not the most cooperative in my small little town during that month! So my parents promised to bring the garden to me. We decided we would have it at my home church and we would make it beautiful....That was until a horrible storm came in January of 2005 and flooded the entire church leaving it not quite unsuitable for a wedding, let alone church service.


So we talked about alterative arrangements but nothing was working out. We decided to talk to pastor and see what the tentative date was for the church to be ready for use again. His goal date was May 31! Yay!!!! Church garden wedding back on! I was so excited because not only was I going to be able to get married in my church but I would be the first big occasion since the remodeling.


So the planning went on and on and on and on and.......well you get the idea. The months went by and each intracate detail fell into place. It was all to easy (most of the time). July came and Matt graduated from the school he was going to on the base which meant it was time for him to go back to his duty station. Wait.....that meant he had to leave me....which then meant I had to finish planning without him. Not that he did much but the support took the place of that. He would be back a week before the wedding!


That month seemed to be drag like no other! Would August really ever come????? Well of course it would just not fast enough.


Its finally here....the week before. He was back! aka the guy I kinda liked!!! Everything was getting crazy. Family coming in, last minute errands, more family and friends coming in, my bachelorette party ( very fun and innocent considering we were all under 21, and just wanted to have wholesome fun), last tux fitting, more way last minute errands and it went on.


Rehearsal was great. it felt so unreal. Was this really happening? Am I really getting married tomorrow? The dinner went well with only a few kinks here and there but all in all a very nice dinner.


We said goodbye as just each other's fiance for the last time and couldn't believe that the day we both had been waiting for was the next day!


Today is the day! The day I will no longer be Miss Rhena De Maio but Mrs. Rhena Payne.


First thing on the list: relaxing bath...check.


Next: hair appointment with all my girls...check.


We had so much fun just talking and giggling like little girls. I felt so close to all of them that day. They made me feel so special. By the way, that morning at the hair salon I also found out I was going to be an auntie to my dearest friends' first baby!


Hair and make-up done, tiara and veil on. Ready to go to the church!


...............I was almost late to my own wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


As soon as I got inside everyone stripped me and put me in my beautiful princess dress. Boy did I feel like a princess! I had the gloves and everything. My bouquet was out of this world gorgeous. The day was already magical and I hadn't even seen my prince yet.


Its time! Its really time! The moment I have dreamt about my whole life. With my daddy by my side we waited. Everyone walked down the aisle and then they shut the doors. There we were standing behind them when my dad and I gave each other last sweet hug before he gave me away.


The doors open, I was speechless at the sight I saw, the church looked like a story book garden brought to life and then I saw him....the man of my dreams waiting to take me as his bride, to love me, protect me, care for me til death do us part...........


We walked slowly smiling at all the guests. We made it to end, he kissed me for the last time as his little girl and then took my purity ring of my finger that he gave me years back. He put my hand in my groom's hand and let go. He gave his blessing then took his seat.


We stared into each others eyes the whole time never once thinking anything could take away our happiness. We said our vows meaning every word. We lit our candle (well tried to but it never actually lit) tying our families together for life. We sealed our vows with our first kiss as husband and wife and then were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Payne.


We are married, really married, is what we kept saying to each other after we walked back down that aisle.


The reception was great. We mingled with everyone and I had my father/daughter dance and then we danced together as husband and wife.


My life was perfect! Nothing could ever go wrong. I was going to live happily ever after.


Our wedding night was so special. We had both saved ourselves for just each other our whole lives which made that night that much more special. Such a fairytale!


We enjoyed a wonderful little honeymoon. Everything was a surprise for me. The day after we were married he took me to see my favorite baseball team play. Then he surprised me with two full days at disneyland!!!! We stayed in an inn with an italian feel that was right across the street from the park.


Our last day we went to the beach and just relaxed. It was heaven on earth.


God knew what He was doing when brought us together to share such wonderful memories.


After a week full of fun it was time to get back to reality.


..................Part 4 will be here shortly.............................