Thursday, August 20, 2009

9 years

9 years ago, Dan and I stood in one of my favorite places in the world... Oscoda Beach and were married. I was a beautiful day. A bit crazy, but beautiful. And our wonderful families helped to make it happen. I was determined that we were not going to get married in the church across the street. And the weather cooperated! I wanted to hear the water and have the sand on my feet so that every time I walked on that beach I could remember being married there. I am so lucky to have Dan in my life.

There were some things that I cared about, and things that I didn't and I am sure that I drove my mother crazy. My dress came from the same bridal shop that my mother and grandmothers dresses came from. It had to be different and it was. I wanted everyone in the bridal party to wear sandals, and we did, even the guys with their tuxes. I didn't want arranged flowers. So as the guests came to the beach, they were given a rose and when I went down the isle, I collected them and hugged everyone. I wanted to acknowledge everyone that was there prior to the ceremony. It was important to me. And my mom and my Aunt Beth made the best cheesecake in the world for our cake. It was SO good. I also wanted live music. So my friend Elliot Lui played the guitar and sang. It was so wonderful. Our pictures were the best. Dan was sick of it after about 2, but they turned out to be so perfect.
Especially the one of my grandma dancing on the beach! It is now a family favorite. People came from far and wide and it was wonderful to have them celebrate with us. There were a few hiccups in the whole thing, but don't most weddings have a few? It was a wonderful day and I am thankful for a wonderful man to spend my life with.

And 9 years later, we were able to take Daniel and Abigayle with us to the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity. It was another beautiful day. I am still thankful for a wonderful man to spend the rest of eternity with. I love you dude!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

True Love Day


Today has been a special day in the lives of the Shawl family. We were sealed for time and all eternity in the Detroit, Michigan Temple. It was a beautiful day. One that I have waited 9+ years for. When Dan and I met, he was not LDS. So we couldn't be married in the temple. We had an increadible wedding on the beach in Oscoda. It was a beautiful day too. But today as I kneeled across the altar, I knew that I had made the best choice in choosing to wait for him to be ready to be there with me. The room was filled with so many friends and family and family friends. And as the kids came in the room to be with us it was overwhelming. They looked so perfect in their white clothes. Abby asked me what we were doing and I told her that it was "true love day". Dad was my true love and we were celebrating true love day. (She loves to tell us that we are true loves. ) She accepted the explaination but still was not so sure about what was going on. I am so thankful for the opportunity that my family has to be a forever family. I am so thankful for the gospel in my life so that I know that this is possible. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband that asked me to be with him forever. And I said yes.