I’m back, after 4 days in Chicago-land. It was wonderful! :-) I had a great weekend and definitely worth the cost of the plane ticket. I saw lots of people, watched one of my closest friends get married, and got to dress up in a pretty dress and have my hair done. :-p

I arrived in Chicago (Midway) on Thursday, and I had about 5 hours until Tree’s dad was going to be able to pick me up. I was going to wait, but upon arrival I quickly discovered that once you leave the passengers-only section, there isn’t anywhere to wait! I did find a few seats but they didn’t have backs and 5 hours was just too long. So I took a train downtown, and then walked four blocks to another station and took a train to Wheaton. It was fun and I was very happy to not have to wait. Tree picked me up and we went back to her house. She looked really good and was radiant (of course), and it was sooo nice to see her again! I took a four and a half hour nap when i got to her house – the effects of Dramamine – and then was awake for the evening as we hung out and prepared for pre-wedding things.

Joanna arrived Friday morning, and it was good to see her. We had a bridal luncheon and then we went to the reception place to help decorate. Afterwards, I took a long shower and got ready for the rehearsal. Meghan, Theresa, and Rachael had arrived by this point, and I was surprised to see Rachael! I didn’t know she was coming, and it was so good to see her! She had the longest trip of all of us – coming from Oregon. :-) The rehersal and dinner were nice and laid back… I was able to talk to people I hadn’t seen in a while and had an overall good time.

The wedding on Saturday was beautiful… The decorations were perfect, Tree looked absolutely gorgeous, and we all cried as she was walking down the aisle to meet her beloved at the altar. I’ve never cried at a wedding before… but when Dan started crying, that did it for me. The ceremony seems like a haze now… but I remember thinking it was beautiful. I was glad to be able to sit down afterwards though. :-)

The reception was fun and nice… The meal was delicious… The wine was okay, although I do prefer wine that is less dry. ;-) I enjoyed carrying the glass around. I even almost finished it! I seemed to have multiple conversations this weekend about my rebelliousness… Oh well… Anna’s reaction to me with wine made everything worth it. :-)

I helped Tree change out of her wedding dress and gave her a long hug goodbye. I was sad to see her go, a married woman. I know that she will always be the sweet person she is and she won’t think of me any less, but one can’t help the changes that happen when one friend marries and the other doesn’t. It’s kind of a goodbye to the friendship we used to have, especially now as we live in different areas and won’t see each other as often.

After the wedding, Matt and Alisse and I had coffee together. That was fun; getting to know Alisse and spend time with friends. It’s been a long time since I’ve spent a lot of time with a couple who have just started in their relationship, but they were fun to hang out with.

Overall, I pronounce the weekend “beautiful” and “fun”. :-) It would have been perfect if Paul could have been there. I was really missing him (weddings do that I guess) and I wish I could just know when I get to see him again. Oh, and one word of advice: try to avoid having your hair full of bobby pins when you walk through the metal detectors at the airport. :-)

I’m back in Orlando, not really looking forward to the same old of looking for a job. Yuck. :-p This weekend was a nice distraction, but now the real world is slapping me in the face and i have to stop ignoring it.