Rehearsal Dinner

Thursday night was the rehearsal. The Collins had it decorated so cute! This was when we started getting to see guests here and there and people that had come from afar for the wedding. So much fun!

Adorable sign!

The wedding party

I was feeling my emotional avalanche start to crumble when we got to the rehearsal. Bro. Collins prayed for the food and that was the first of my official breakdowns. I don't know what it was...Lord, thank you for this sweet union...something like that. It was just too much. It is this moment that I can definitely pin-point as "The moment my life officially began to fall apart." 

It was a sweet prayer.

This picture is pretty symbolic. Nicole and John leaning together and me leaning away, trying to hold back tears. *don'tcrydon'tcrydon'tcrydon'tcry*

"Excuse me, but just a few months ago that was MY spot on her arm." 

Dinner was delicious. It smelled delicious. Due to a harrowing experience with teeth-whitening toothpaste that apparently left my teeth with all the nerves exposed, I couldn't chew up the tri-tip. (I do realize that I sound like a sickly wimp in the past couple posts. I am sorry. I realize this wedding wasn't all about me. But this IS the wedding from my perspective! The belly-aching is just an added bonus.)

"I love you." "No, I love you." "But I love you more." "Oh, I love you so much!"

It was decided that at a certain point in the ceremony, the bride and groom would walk down off the platform to where Elder Pickleseimer was seated to be prayed for. The ministry was to gather around them. Nicole and John rehearsed this - they knelt down in front of the elder and he placed his hands on them and began to pray. The Holy Ghost fell in the rehearsal and we had a move of God! There was not a dry eye in the sanctuary. It was such a sweet moment.

Bridesmaids, flower girl, Bible-bearer, and bride - waiting in the back for our cues from Sis. Sondra.

Mom and Dad Collins

Grampa cracking his jokes...singing his little diddy - "You gotta know when to hold her, know when to scold her. Know when to walk away, know when to pray. You better count your money while you're sittin' with your honey, 'cuz it'll be too late for counting, much too laaaaate for counting....when the deal is done."

All of us girls pretending to be happy that Nicole is abandoning us. Who is going to take that 4th spot in the hotel room at conferences?? Me, Steph and Cherie are taking applications.

What a good lookin' couple!!

After the rehearsal we went back into the gym to finish up the last of the work. Mainly, a ton of ironing!

Such hard workers. Hyah.

This is how we felt after getting home that night:

We needed a break before the wedding - ha!

Coming up next: the actual wedding!! That'll be out on Monday, Lord willin' and the creek don't rise.

~Bethany~