Love and Marriage

The biggest change of my life has taken place, and it couldn't be better! Looking back on the last month, it all seems like such a dream, but then I realize I'm awake and that I'm LIVING that dream.

The Wedding

March 14th was the most perfect day of my life. It started out really early: I woke up at 540am to get hair (by Randi Eudis) and makeup (by me) done. Randi was super fast and it looked even better than she'd done it the trial run. My mom and I then drove to the temple together where we met Collin and Lou (his dad). It really was the most beautiful day I had ever seen in March. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and hardly any clouds in the sky.

The sealing was at 9:30am and was the most incredible experience. It was so special to have both of our families there. In a room that supposed to fit 35 for the max. capacity, we had 52 total. Parents, Grandmas, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends. What an experience; the love and spirit in the room was so tangible.

We were so lucky to have so many people join us on our wedding day. So many people came from Utah (The whole Rothey Crew, Collins aunt Judy/uncle Lew, my roommate Brittany Pierce, Brett/Kristy and Kim Denney, Tawny/Andrew George, Chase/Ashleigh, Jayci and Skip Carlson, Daron and Anna Young, Jacinth, Rob/Rachel, and Cortland), New York (Collins best bud Trevor Owsley), Washington DC (my besty Carly Walton) and all parts of Colorado. We are so grateful that such great friends would sacrifice to be there with us.

The Reception

After the sealing, we took some pictures and then headed straight to Stonebrook Manor. There, we took more pictures with family and had the reception. Again, everything ran smoothely and was so much fun. We had a little line with our parents, had some delicious food (we were starving and it was SO good), cut the yummy cake (I wish I had more) and danced with our parents. When things were winding down at Stonebrook, we said our goodbye's. Collin gave the sweetest little speech, thanking everyone for coming and for being such a great influence in our lives.

I'm so glad we had an early sealing and reception, because we were not pressed for time at all. After the reception, we headed to my parents house, where we opened gifts with both of our parents, Carly and Collins aunt/uncle. We were spoiled and really felt the love from everyone who came to support us. Once we were finished, we left for Downtown Denver. My dad had made the arrangements at Hotel Teatro which is just down from the Denver Center of Performing Arts. It was SO nice; we had valet, and a nice little card from the concierge Congratulating us on our marriage. Everything was perfect. Later that night, we were getting hungry, so we splurged and walked down the street to Good Times. Exactly what we needed!

The Honeymoon

The next morning, we checked out and went to the airport to meet my parents to give them back their car. We flew off to L.A. and then took a shuttle to the Long Beach pier to board our cruise ship; Royal Carribean cruise to the Mexican Riviera (Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta). The cruise was definitely the way to go for our honeymoon. We loved it.

The first port at Cabo, we tendered little boats to the shore. We bartered for a good excursion and took a glass bottom water taxi around to Lovers Beach, some seals and the Arc. Then, we walked into town to find a good taco stand. I asked some random locals where the best one was and we had some yummy fish tacos for lunch. I LOVE speaking spanish, and it really came in handy. We spent some time in town and then at the beach. It was so warm. I wish we could go back.

The next day, we arrived in Mazatlan where we played it by ear again. We decided to do a city tour. Our bus tour guide, Homey, spoke amazing English and took us all around town. Its actually a really cool, vintage town. We saw the Lighthouse, some cliffdivers, Satans tunnel, a beautiful Catholic Cathedral, and some shops.

Our last port, we stopped in Puerto Vallarta, which was my favorite town. We took a taxi from the pier to "downtown" where we walked down the boardwalk, saw sweet sand castles, went to a church then to a few markets. I loved the atmosphere, and again, speaking spanish was so much fun.

The cruise was so great too. Tons of things to do. A few highlights: We play a few rounds of mini-golf every day. They had yummy ice cream whenever you wanted. Every night, the stateroom attendant would fold the towels into some animal. After dinner, we'd always rush to our room (so Collin could relieve himself of all the water he drank, and so I could see the awaiting creature on the bed). I would DIE laughing every night. I loved it (cheap humor, I know... I'm easily amused).

Also, the people we sat with each night for dinner were fantastic. A couple who got married the same day from AZ (Andrew and Justine) and a family from Canada (Dave, Diana, Jordie, and Sara). We had some great chats and laughs together. Great people! The waiter (Nebo) and asst. waiter (Nicole) entertained us too. What a great honeymoon! We had a blast!