Happily Ever After.... (Amazing Wedding Recap)

Happily Ever After, eh? ;)

Soooo I've been enjoying life soooooo much that I totally forgot to update my blog!! Just kidding, I've actually been super busy trying to get settled into Provo that I haven't found time to do so. I'll fill everyone in on how the wedding, the honeymoon and "Happily Ever After" went.. Enjoy!

The Wedding-

The night before the wedding I could NOT sleep for anything!! I kept tossing and turning and having those strange dreams about going to the Temple and forgetting the dress, or things falling apart at the reception, or no one coming-- and I recall having VERY BAD HAIR DAY the night before.

Sooooooo on the day of the wedding, I woke up at 5am to detangle, wash, blow-dry, straighten then curl my hair. Karri helped out a TON with it- it was a mess that only SHE and I knew how to resolve since no one else has our kinda hair... Luckily Sean wasn't there to see the frustration when I couldn't get tangles out. It took almost 4 HOURS to finally finish my hair. We headed down to the Temple at around 9:30am in Dad's car and when we were about 20 minutes away, the Temple called and told us that we were supposed to be there an hour ago. (oops..) I had NO IDEA that I had accidentally written the wrong time on the announcements for the wedding ceremony!!!

LOL well we all parked and ran at full speed into the Los Angeles, California Temple and they accepted us anyways. They led me into a BEAUTIFUL Bride's room (the pic I have is one I got offline on Google Pics, NOT one I took with my own camera) there that had really pretty white Victorian era couches, mirrors and lights on every wall and really pretty chandeliers on the ceiling.

My heart was racing as my mom and sisters helped me to put on my wedding dress and fix my hair and makeup. I remember my heart continued pounding and I felt sick to my stomach as I gazed deep into my eyes in the mirror thinking, "Today's my big day.. the day where I make not only the BIGGEST DECISION OF MY LIFE, but the BIGGEST DECISION OF ETERNITY... am I really ready for all this? Not being a party-hopping, boy-teasing, flirty shopping-addict, yet silly excuse for a supermodel Young Single Adult anymore, but Being MARRIED? Being a Mrs??" I thought about it for a sec, and then was relieved at the fact that a wonderful man loved me, and I could be with him Forever... plus I'd never have to set foot in another YSA ward again.. Luckily the Temple workers provided me with crackers and water and even a mint to munch on also, so I was at peace...

Once I was ready, I was led into a room called a "Sealing Room" where all my family members who are allowed in the Temple (everyone who had a Temple Recommend card) were sitting inside. In the center of the room there was pretty white alter that we would be kneeling at soon. I felt so much better as I saw Sean there inside, sitting right next to me. After the Temple President came in and gave a small speech about how getting married in the Temple (and under the right authority) meant that we would be married for Time & All Eternity rather than just "til death do you part," Sean was told to lead me to the alter. We both knelt down across from each other as the President asked us the magical questions, pronounced blessings upon us and we both covenanted (promised) before each other, our families, God and all the Angels in Heaven to love and keep each other Forever, and then we kissed. LOL after a few seconds of kissing, the Temple President was like, "Ok that's enough," as a joke. Everyone laughed and we were officially MARRIED!!!!!

Afterwards, all the family went back downstairs and waited outside while Sean and I stayed inside for a moment for the Temple President to announce us as Husband & Wife to our other family members and guests outside of the Temple. He opened the doors and went outside and said, "I am pleased to announce, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas!!!!!" As Sean & I walked outside and everyone cheered loudly and ran to greet us, especially all the children. It was amazing seeing so many of my family members and Sean's family and our friends on the outside of the Temple applauding US!!! It was truly a remarkable and beautiful day.

After we took pics and walked around the Temple grounds, we drove back to Riverside (and hit Los Angeles rush-hour traffic on the way... it took over 3 hours to get back) for the big Reception. We did normal Wedding reception traditions there- saw and took pictures with family and friends, danced the night away, cut the cake, threw the bouquet and garter, ate yummy food, laughed and smiled til our faces hurt and enjoyed that magical evening!

As we went to leave the reception for our honeymoon, we noticed our car had been painted with marshmallows saying "Just Married" on the back. (LOL Karri's idea I bet.. funny thing, those marshmallows are Still on the back of Sean's car to this day hahaha). All my friends and Karri waved and cheered to as we drove off into the night as Newlyweds, never to be single again.................

The Honeymoon-

I remember it was about a 2 hour drive to this Surprise Honeymoon that Sean STILL wouldn't tell me where it was. As we were driving, I kept thinking to myself about how life would never be the same from here on out. I now had new responsibilities, as a Wife, and from now on, Sean came first. I kept thinking about Karri's face as we were driving away- I'll never forget that face she gave me- as if she was connecting with me telepathically in my head and inquiring of my very soul the piercing words, "Why are you leaving me??" I thought about how much I already missed her and how close we had been all these years and I felt really guilty that I had chosen a new path in life and a new person to share my world with, and in many more dimensions than I had with her. I knew that I could not be and live with Karri forever because it would stop our Eternal progression. We both knew this time would eventually come- the day we had to separate. This would be a HUGE change in mine and Karri's lives, but we needed to experience life as individuals as well, and marriage is something we both want for our own lives. I'm glad I had that opportunity to go to Utah for the year I was there because not only was it where I met Sean, but also I was able to gain my own autonomy in preparation of this time (But whoever Karri marries, they BETTER agree, like Sean already has, to let us live close to each other).

FINALLY WE ARRIVED!!!!1

Our honeymoon carriage (or should I say, Sean's 05 Eclipse) finally arrived right outside of Palm Springs, to a beautiful 5-star resort called WorldMark Resorts. This place was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!! It had tons of sparkling pools, hot tubs, an arcade and gym, and super friendly staff who greeted us and put us in a honeymoon suite, which had a huge bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, dining room and a balcony (with a nice BBQ grill on it) that overlooked the resort, the mountains, TONS of stars, and a few golfing fields. The suite was well equipped with all the appliances and dishes we'd ever need, like a blender, toaster, dishwasher, dishes, a washing machine & dryer, etc., and they even gave us 3 free movie rentals for our 2 Big-screen TVs, a box of chocolates and a bottle of Martinelli's Sparkling Cider to celebrate the evening!

The first thing Sean & I did after "oooing and aawing" over our luxurious suite was jump on our bed like little kids. We laughed and danced around the living room, ate the ENTIRE BOX OF CHOCOLATES, and drank the apple cider (still partying like Mormons haha, hyper and alcohol-free is the way to be!).

Other activities we did while we were there was swimming, exercising, building a super-cute gingerbread house together, star-gazing as we floated on inner-tubes in a moving lazy-river at the resort; we also got to go on this HUGE 360 degree rotating tram that led us up one of the tallest mountains in Palm Springs; got to Christmas shop, eat out at a super nice Sushi restaurant, have dance parties, barbecued steak from our balcony, jump on our bed more, cuddled up as we watched scary movies, etc., etc. The rest I'll leave to the reader's imagination, but we were both really grateful that we waited and stayed righteous and worthy to be able to express our love and affection to each other the Right way- after marriage, and only to our spouse. This truly was the beginning of Happily Ever After for us both.

Happily Ever After-

Happy- yes. Ever- sure. After- uhh... (this is the part where life goes on) After searching and researching TONS of apartments and almost settling for one (that ended up being a disaster that we barely got out of alive...) Sean and I have (enthusiastically & happily) moved into our brand new apartment at Cambridge Court apartments in Provo, UT.

We got everything settled and unpacked and Sean started school this week. He is gone right now taking a GRE test to get into Grad School and then going to work and I am here alone at the apartment- celebrating the responsibilities and duties of being a happy hot housewife. School- I applied to BYU 3 times and have been denied every time because I'm so far ahead into college that I have too many credits and not a high enough GPA. UVU says that I need to gain residency to apply there, which requires a long process of looking for and obtaining paperwork and documents that probably don't even exist anymore. Work- For these past 2 weeks, I've been looking for a job somewhere in Provo or Orem, only to have little luck (yet*). Some people did get back to me, but they were either scammers or commission-only jobs that I didn't want. I'll continue to keep looking til I get hired Somewhere. We're praying about it. Please include me in your prayers or let me know if you know of anyone hiring out here!!! ;)

I am married- and happy. Happily married. I got lucky and married an Amazing man- a true Prince. He is really blessed in so many ways and I am blessed for having married him. He still holds open every door for me, holds my hand in public wherever we go (even if it's to the gym), tells me he loves me at least 10 times a day, and many little things that make me happy. We read Scriptures & pray together each day, and we exercise, cook, read and play together. I don't know if it's that we are still in the "honeymoon phase" of our relationship or if we are both very much in love, but we are truly a happy couple, and we both know without doubt that it'll always be this way.

We're not perfect- at first it was hard for me getting used to living with a guy- all of a sudden there's someone ALWAYS here (except when he's at school or work) and I don't have much privacy or time to talk with old friends and family members over the phone for hours like I used to. Now I share a bank account with someone and we split household chores and shop together for groceries. We have differences and have to make sacrifices and compromises and that will take some time getting used to. I've also had several incidents where I've gone through emotional withdrawals from missing Karri so much and not being with her, and Sean's been there to comfort me & pray with me each time. Every time we lose something, we say a prayer together and we're able to find it right away. Heavenly Father is truly watching over us and He blesses us and answers our prayers on a daily basis and we are not afraid to include Him in this marriage. It's not just the 2 of us- it's the 3 of us.

***Here's the part where I give some life-changing, inspiring advice to all my followers:***

Followers, don't give up hope if you're still single. 6 months ago I had NO IDEA that I would ever meet that "special someone" that my Relief Society president was always talking about... marriage was not even in my VOCABULARY! I was starting to believe that true love didn't exist for everyone and that I would just grow up and move on with life as a single person- and continue dating tons of guys til I met someone worthy of me. I encourage all my followers if they don't already have one to find a best friend, (or many, like I did) to lean on. I will ALWAYS treasure and cherish all the wonderful friends I had in California, and will keep in touch with all of them. It was a privilege and a blessing to be part of the Party Rock Crew and I'm grateful that I've had all those opportunities to date so many wonderful guys in California and Utah as well.

I am grateful that I met Sean and that I get to keep him forever because he was just a little more prefect for me than anyone else. Lucky for me, I always had Karri, and she was my best friend who kept me entertained and at peace each day. I am really grateful for her, and even though we are separated now, we will always be not just sisters, but Twinz. We too will be Together Forever, as a family. When the time comes, we will both be sealed to our Lauritzen Mom & Dad and we will all be one big happy family, as we are now.

I am really grateful for all my family members (Lauritzen's, Pierce's, Shult's, etc.). I am grateful for all the help and work that went into planning and preparing for the wedding- especially from my Mom, Donna Lauritzen. She took charge and supported my marriage and was there for me from the day I got engaged until the day I got married. She hand-sewed my wedding dress together so it was modest and Temple ready, arranged for EVERYTHING to be done for the reception, helped me to make and create our own wedding announcements when all else failed and I freaked out because I doubted things would all come together; she arranged for the flowers, the cake, my Lauritzen sibling's help setting everything up, all the food and decorations and everything else we needed for the reception, etc. etc. and all with love, kindness, and a big smile on her face the whole time. (and an honorable mention to my hard-working Dad, Verne Lauritzen who paid for it all) I love my parents with all my heart and am soooooooooooooo grateful for them and for all their help and I dunno where I would be or what I would do without them in my life!! They truly are what Parents should be and I am anxiously awaiting the day we can be sealed together as a Family for Time & All Eternity.

I encourage EVERYONE to have a Wonderful, Young Life, and afterwards, a Wonderful, Old Life!!!!

***This isn't the end of my blogging, guys. I know most storybooks and movies END at "Happily Ever After," but mine will just be a continuing of "My Young Wonderful Life." stay tuned! (*p.s: the "bad hair day" pic is actually Karri, not me LOL)

-iCorri