The Honeymoon

So I am finally sitting down and writing about the honeymoon…about four months late. Better late than never, right?

Anyways, Tim bought us tickets for a cruise to the Bahamas- first time either of us had been on one. And it was awesome. I love the ocean and I love being out on the water. The day after the wedding we hit the road, for an 8 hour drive to stop at a hotel for the night, and the next morning got up and drove another four hours to Port Canaveral. I was nervously excited when we were going through the line for security and getting our Sea Passes and such. I was about to embark on a large ship and leave the country for the first time.



Once on the ship, I was amazed at how big the ship was and thought it was going to take me awhile to figure everything out. We explored and went to the buffet for some lunch and explored some more. Later on, we laughed at the fact that the ship didn’t seem so small anymore and we pretty much knew where everything was. We went through the security procedures in case something happened to the ship and then we were on our way!

We decided to dress up for the dinners and take part in the formal night as well. The food was amazing at any of the places we ate. One night for dinner we ate at the specialty restaurant called Jade, which we cooked our own food on a hot volcanic rock.

We enjoyed watching different shows throughout the week and just enjoyed being newlyweds and relaxing after a busy couple of weeks.


The excursions we did we enjoyed a good bit. On the second day of the cruise we were at the cruise lines private island, where we prepared to go on a guided nature walk and snorkel. We lathered up in sun screen for the day, and still got rather red but thankfully not majorly burnt.

The third day we arrived at Nassau. We left the boat and were a bit overwhelmed by the people outside trying to get us to go on a taxi or tour and quickly made our way out of the throng of people. We walked towards the public beach area and saw homeless people sleeping and bathing on the beach, which was interesting to see. Next we made our way back towards the straw market and bargained to get some good deals on Christmas presents.


Next we went back to the boat and took a nap. Now you are probably thinking- why take a nap? You’re out traveling. Well considering the fact that we had had a busy two weeks with wedding stuff we were tired, plus it had started to rain a bit. We had only bought one excursions for the area so we weren’t tied to a schedule since it was a museum and could relax. After the nap, we went to explore the museum, then went back for lunch and another nap, and back out to explore the city some more before our dinner reservation. We enjoyed sitting out on an upper deck that night watching and listening to the night life of Nassau.

The next day was our day at sea- we had a very lazy day. Slept in, played card games, went to get food, napped, and other newlywed activities. After dinner we decided to stay out of the room a bit longer and watched another show before going back to the room. We made sure a lot of our stuff was together the night before returning to Port Canaveral so we didn’t have to do it last minute. The next morning had breakfast and finished packing up. Then we stepped back onto US soil and went through customs without much of a problem, got our luggage, and hit the road towards home.


We took some time to stop in Daytona Beach, and I was able to show Tim a couple places I had lived there, the school I went to, and we ate at one of my favorite seafood restaurant. After lunch, we hit the road and stopped in Macon, Georgia for the night.


We made it home on Saturday around 1:30pm, after leaving the previous Sunday, happy to be home, despite the mess in the apartment from not having time to go through things from the wedding. We were tired, but had enjoyed our honeymoon getaway. And I definitely want to cruise again sometime!!

The Wedding Daze

Now that the wedding daze (and days) is over, I am finally able to sit down and reflect on that very special time in my life. Now I know I am about three months behind on this, but I have been busy adjusting to everything. First I want to say that I enjoyed the day very much- but wow was it tiring.

The week of the wedding was hectic. Last minute thing had to get down. I had to finish packing up my apartment in Cookeville, then three days before the wedding with a rainy morning, the U-Haul with my stuff was loaded thanks to the help of awesome friends. Then the three hour drive to Huntsville and more rain. Glad to have the friends I did to help and for someone to drive my car down. The U-Haul didn't finish getting unloading until Tim got home from work. The next day, started to get stuff unpacked from boxes, and get things printed off for the wedding as well.

Once Tim got off work, we headed back to Tennessee to my parents for a cookout with my side of the family that was in town already, and what turned into a shoot out. Sarah and Megan got to shoot off a gun for the first time. Sarah shot off every single gun there (probably a dozen or so, ranging from pistols to shotguns).

The day before the wedding, Tim and I went to get our marriage license papers filled out. My apartment got cleaned and the key turned in. Then he went off with the groomsmen while decoration for the rehearsal dinner commenced. Then last minute food shopping for the reception and some girl time with bridesmaids.

The rehearsal dinner went well. We had fun going through the rehearsal and then thoroughly enjoyed our BBQ feast. The bridesmaid loved their gifts(personalized purses/bags) and the groomsmen liked theirs(engraved pocket knifes). After dinner, we went to decorate the venue for the wedding. Then the ladies separated from the guys and went to our respective hotels.

I got more sleep the night before the wedding than I was told I would. I think I passed out around 1 A.M and woke up around 7 A.M. I got to snuggle with my little sister, who kept sweetly informing me that I was getting married today. After awhile of snuggling with Mag and Mama joining the party, Mag, Victoria, and I went to get some breakfast in the hotel. After that the whirlwind began.

Pack up the hotel room. Make sure we have the dress. Head out to get hair done. Get dressed. Do makeup. Then our awesome photographer, Melissa (of MSA Photography in Cookeville, TN), came and it was time for bridal portraits, then bridesmaid portraits. Check to make sure Tim wasn’t around. And now I had some time to breathe. Mama picked some chicken sandwiches, so the girls and I ate those while we took a little breather. After the groom, groomsmen, and Myers family portraits were taken, it was time for the Wood family portraits. So dress back on and take more pictures.

We had about 20 minutes left until the wedding and took one last break from the whirlwind. This is when my nerves hit. The ‘Whoa! In 20 minutes I am going to be married.’ type of nerves. And yes they were good nerves. At about five till one the bridesmaids and I headed downstairs for the ceremony.

Next thing I knew, Dad was walking me down the aisle (I love my daddy!), and was giving me away. The look on Tim’s face as I came down the aisle is one I will never forget. Full of love and happiness. This was the first time we had seen each other since the night before, and the first time he had ever seen me in my wedding dress. I did with the tears until it was time for me to say the vows. Now we were both supposed to do these from memory…well that didn’t work for me so well. The tear gates opened and so I ended up repeating them until the last line. When I started to cry- it opened the gates for several others. Then it was all smiles as we were announced “Husband and Wife”.

The reception was wonderful. We felt so blessed to have the people who came to our wedding there to celebrate with us. One of the best parts was our Nerf battle to begin the reception. That was rather spectacular. Then there was dancing, cake, bouquet/garter toss, toasts, and the car being jacked up when it was time to leave. No, Tim and I did not notice right away. It was not until Tim pressed on the gas and the car wouldn’t move.

Yes there are a few things I would have liked to happen differently, but over all we are happy with the way things went, even with a few hiccups in the plan. And we are enjoying married life.