Monday, February 17, 2014

San Diego for My Sister's Wedding

 January 25, 2014
Mom, Dad, Joshua and I flew down to San Diego to attend my sister Julie's wedding.  Josh's Mom, Jenn, flew to Portland to watch the boys for the weekend.
(Above: Photos taken with my phone)
 Julie and her soon-to-be-husband, Michael, during their pre-ceremony photo session, outside the San Diego temple.
(Photo taken by their friend Angela Nelson.)
Make-up and hair by me.  Although by the time I finished her make-up, I only had 10 minutes to add in a few curls.
 I love Julie's eyes in this photo.
Absolutely gorgeous!
 Moments after this photo shoot, we all went into the temple and some time later, we were informed that due to a clerical error, Julie and Michael would not be able to be married as they planned. We were heartbroken for them.  Here's what Michael said in his post the following day:
 "Things did not go entirely as we planned yesterday. 
Despite months of planning and meticulous preparation, the majority of which was carried out by Julie, we were not able to be married yesterday.For those not familiar with LDS church policy, when people who have been married previously wish to be sealed to one another in a temple, written permission must be obtained from church leaders in Salt Lake City. Julie and I spent several months going through all the steps required, filling out paperwork, meeting with and being interviewed by our local clergy several times. By November, both Julie and I believed we had been granted the proper clearance to be married in the temple.After we chose a date that worked for everyone's schedule, Julie planned everything and worked very hard to pull together a special day for us. We had two interviews each with our respective leaders last week. We thought everything was set. However, when we arrived at the temple yesterday morning, it became clear that Julie had not received the proper clearance to be married. We were both incredibly disappointed. We spent hours trying to find a solution that would allow us to be married in the temple. We even considered going to the beach and getting married on the sand.But after prayer and counseling with family and loves ones who were in the temple with us, Julie and I decided not to give up what we want most for what we want right now, believing that our desire to be together forever is worth waiting for. As of tonight, our co-vacation has begun. We will work with our church leaders to get everything settled in order to be married in the temple as soon as possible. Hopefully that can happen here in Orlando.Thank you to everyone who was with us yesterday, and to all or loved ones for being so understanding and supportive. We anticipate having good news soon and are anxious to start our life together!"
 Julie and Michael at their luncheon. 
After the non-wedding, they decided that everyone should still enjoy lunch together and celebrate their soon-to-be-marriage. 
 Josh and I with Ashlyn and Austin.
In the evening, after the luncheon, Julie and Michael invited Josh and I to go over to his brother's hotel with them to visit.  We visited with Michael's brother, his wife and their adult children.
It ended up giving us a chance to get to know Michael a little bit better.  Mom and Dad had met him before, but we hadn't.  Michael and his family are so much fun!  We laughed a lot and ended up having a great night.
 That night, Josh and I stayed at the Marriot Marquis and Marina.  We ended up in a beautiful room with a bay view of the marina.  
***

President Monson personally signed off on Julie's paperwork on Monday morning, the 27th.  Julie and Michael were able to be sealed in the Orlando temple on January 29th, 2014.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bennett! 
Welcome to the family Michael!  I'm thrilled that Julie has found you and that you make her so happy!  Thanks for taking such great care of my sister.

1 comment:

Xoxo Grandma said...

Oh, this makes me cry. So glad it all worked out...not as they planned but proud of them for waiting & getting sealed & starting their marriage with that sealing.