Our Eternal Family

Remember that I said I've dreamed of this day for my whole life?!  Well, the invitation was no exception.  I kind of knew what I wanted, but when it came time to actually put it together it took me forever!  Ok, maybe just 5 hours forever, but none-the-less that was 5 hours!  But I love how it turned out.  Then I went back and forth a 100 times over whether or not to do a luncheon afterwards or not.  And then when I decided to do a luncheon I changed it 100 times as to what we would be serving.  I had wonderful family and friends who helped with food, getting everything ready at the fire station, cleaning up, etc.  And I must mention my wonderful brother Chris who did an amazing job at setting up the 'spread', he's got talent and I loathe doing those kinds of things.

{Disclaimer: I don't want to forget anything about this day, so this will be spread over a few different posts.}

Let me start out by leading you up to the day of the sealing.  I knew that Satan would be working on us as hard as he ever as, as we were getting ready for the big day.  That whole week before was REALLY hard.  We had more contention than usual, more irritability, increased anxiety on my part, etc.  It is so true that Satan will work so hard to try keeping us from things that are GREAT! I've experienced his efforts before as I was getting ready to go through the temple to take out my own endowments, and Shaun experienced some of the same types of things before he went through, but by how intense things got right before our sealing day, you couldn't deny that it meant the ultimate most wonderful experience was right around the corner for us!

At last!  We are now an Eternal Family as of May 18th.  I'd played this day out in my head a million times, and I still could've never given it as much beauty as it beheld.  It was such a beautiful day spent with our friends and family.

When we first got to the temple Shaun and I went and met with the temple recorder to make sure all of our paperwork was in order and the temple workers for the youth center took the 3 kids and off they went.  My mom was my escort and my dad was Shaun's escort and one of our witnesses.  Our wonderful Bishop was our other witness. We really do have the neatest Bishop and his wife, Laureen, is equally amazing.

Before getting changed into our temple clothes we passed the Marriage Waiting Room and it took my breath away as I caught a quick glimpse of all of our guests waiting to be taken up to the Sealing Room for us.  Nothing to increase emotions like seeing a full room there just for you!

It came time to get into our temple clothes and so my host led my mom and I to the Bride's Room.  Before entering she asked if I'd been in this room yet, and I hadn't.  She asked 'are you ready for this?' and in we went.  I immediately burst into tears!  It's absolutely EXQUISITE, I can't adequately put into words how beautiful this room is.  Every room in the temple is beautiful, but this room caught me completely off-guard that day.  You felt like royalty from the moment you entered the room.  Wow, there truly are no words!

It soon was time and Shaun and I were then taken up to the sealing room.  I was completely in awe as we walked in and so many of our family and friends were there waiting.  I couldn't do a complete sweep of looking at every person at any given point as the Sealer, Gerald Simmons (who happened to be my old swimming & health teacher in my younger years) talked with us or during the sealing--I just knew I'd lose it completely.  I literally felt short of breath and my heart was racing; I just kept taking deep breaths.  It wasn't like an 'I'm struggling to breathe in a scary way', just so many overwhelming emotions that I was feeling.  With Shaun sitting next to me, my Mom and then my Grandma were sitting beside us.  I couldn't help but think that Shaun's dear Grandma, who had passed away the year prior and was so excited about the Brigham Temple being built, was sitting in the empty chair next to him.  I very strongly felt of many of our loved ones who have passed on throughout the whole experience, most especially Michelle!

Shaun and I knelt across the altar and we were sealed for time and all eternity.  What a beautiful thing to hear.  As I looked at him, I reflected on how far we'd come and how much my love for him increases every day!  I will be eternally grateful for the wonderful husband and father that he is!  I can't imagine my life without him and look forward to our Eternal Journey!

Then it became time for the kids to be brought in with us in the sealing room...