Ode to Cheryl (and Lincoln)

 

One of my very best friends in the world got married yesterday. You have no idea how excited and happy I am for both of them. On Monday night she had a dinner for close friends and family. It was lovely. Beautiful weather, gorgeous back yard, great food and touching speeches. My fork did break in my pork roast, making everyone at our table and the next bust up laughing during one of the more sentimental speeches. Comic relief, I say. Cheryl played her guitar and sang some fabulous songs about and for Lincoln, and he gave the most incredible speech I think that any groom could have thought up. There is no doubt in my mind that he loves her so much! The one thing that I was both unaware of and unprepared for was the fact that there would be open toasts. And not only that but that we would be giving one. When I say we, I mean the Pin-Up Girls:  Jana, Marinda, Cara, Jen, and me (not including Cheryl of course). We all got up at once and each said something random that came to mind, but every one of us came up with something much better to say the next day after we'd thought about it more. So to Cheryl and Lincoln, I want to write what I would have said if I had had more time to think about it.

I did say in the toast that I have known Cheryl for over 20 years. But what I didn't say was that in that 20 years, we have gone to school together, lived together, gone on many trips together, worked at the same jobs together, and dressed like old ladies to go bowling together, among many other things. We have made up and used various nick names over the years, like Chert (Lert, Mert, and Jert) and Laverne and Shirley. We have been silly and done crazy things in our time together, like march around band camp with toilet paper trailing out of our pants and roll down a huge hill acting out the Princess Bride. We've taken racquetball classes and harmonica classes together. We've owned more than a few pairs of matching shoes over the years. I've received many letters from Cheryl during our freshman year of college and on our missions that invariably made me laugh out loud. She's hilarious! She is someone that I can always have fun with, whether we are in a group or alone, and no matter where we happen to be. We have always been able to make our own fun together. But not only is she fun, Cheryl is someone that I can talk to about anything and everything, no matter how dumb or serious, crazy or spiritual. Eleven years ago I got married and moved to Florida. Cheryl was one of a very few that I always wanted to talk to when I was there. I called her often about everything--my joys, my trials, when I was lonely or needed a laugh, and I still do. In fact, she is #3 on my most frequent list of people I call (only behind my husband and my parents)--check my phone, it's true. That's how good of a friend she is to me. And she helped me through one of the worst trials I have had to face in my life. I can never thank her enough for supporting me, listening to me and encouraging me through that time. She has always has a strong testimony and been a great example of faith and diligence as she has gone to the temple and lived an obedient life. I love her for that! And after nine years when it was time for me to move back to Utah, I was especially excited because I would now have someone who I knew would dress like a cow with me to get a free meal. I love that Cheryl is always up for things like that, things that we would never do alone but would have so much fun doing together. Since I have been back, the Pin-Up Girls have made it a monthly tradition to have a girls' night out, and I owe it to Cheryl that we have all stayed friends. She is giving and caring with all of her friends, and I feel so lucky to be among one of her many friends. Through all the years that I was in Florida, I would love to hear about the different guys she was dating, but... none of them were good enough for her. None of them until now. As I have heard Cheryl talk about Lincoln, and have interacted with Lincoln personally, I feel confident that not only is he good enough for her, but that she is also perfect for him. I want Lincoln to know that by loving Cheryl, he has made our dreams for Cheryl come true as well. I welcome Lincoln to the Pin-Up Girls and can't wait to have more fun times with Cheryl and Lincoln in the future. I truly love you both and wish all the happiness in the world for your marriage and life together.

Shirley, hopefully that will make up for me not writing in your wedding book (or your yearbook). You see, when you love someone as much as I love you, comments like "Congratulations" and "Stay Cool" just don't seem to cut it.

The temple ceremony was the next day and it, too, was lovely. These are some pictures we took afterwards.

 The Pin-Up Girls--20 years and counting...

 This picture was in honor of all the wedding pictures we ruined over the years by doing a thumbs down.

Cheryl grabbing our arms trying to change them to a thumbs up. Didn't see that one coming.

  

Look, even she did it.... in her own wedding picture!

I love this one of Cheryl laughing.

 

I thought these would be good spots for some friend pictures.

(we think we are sooo funny)

 

(no really, we do)

  

 

At night, instead of a reception, they had a party. And boy do they throw a good party! They had bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals and feeding the ducks for the kids. My kids all loved it. One of them said it was the best day of her life (and she's had five years of life to compare it with).  As a side note:  one of these kids is going commando in this shot due to an "incident" involving diarrhea, a pair of Diego underwear that will never be seen again, approximately 47 wipes and a bathroom stall I don't ever wish to go into again.

 

Back to the party. They gave out tickets so that we could buy whatever we wanted at 5 or 6 different food trucks. It was just like a carnival. So creative! They had badminton and croquet, and quilting and live music inside. I think there may have been some cow milking too, but I wasn't there for that part. Everyone got to dress casually while Cheryl and Lincoln wore their wedding clothes. The best part was the outdoor laser tag with Cheryl in her dress. It was so fun! She even got second place on her team. Just imagine if she'd been wearing shorts.

 It was seriously the best wedding I've ever been to. Nice job you guys!