Shalina Getting Married - THE Mr. and Mrs. Truglio Edition

Friday was Shalina’s wedding day…it is crazy to me that she is married...we spent 8 months planning everything down to the most minute details and now it is over…she is officially Mrs. Shalina Marie Truglio. I could not be happier…my heart is literally overflowing with joy. Looking back everything kind of blurs together, but I want to attempt to encapsulate my emotions from her wedding day…I want to remember for as long as possible the amazing gift I have been given in her friendship and in the honor of taking part in her special day. Friday morning I woke up and walked into the hallway to see Craig taking the sheets off of his bed – he was moving out – moving IN with his wife – my Shalina. We had a very short conversation. Me: Hey Craig, you’re getting married today! Craig: Hey Shelly, I know! Me: You’ve waited a long time for this! Craig: I know, 8 months to be exact. Wait. No. My whole life. I melted, said I had to get in the shower, and told him I would see him there. I showered and gathered my belongings and then headed to Ralphs to pick up champagne and orange juice for the necessary getting ready mimosas.Then it was off to Party City to pick up a money pouch for Shalina and some plastic champagne glasses for the bridesmaids and then to Trader Joes to grab some finger foods for lunch and snacking throughout the day. I arrived at Franciscan Gardens just after noon – unloaded the car – greeted Shalina – and started in on wedding prep while SJ used my car to run a quick errand. Sara and I tied bows on everything for the candy bar and put together the flag and monogram. I wasn’t at all emotional at that point – just excited. Shalina was super calm and collected and didn’t seem to be all that affected by the monumental occasion at hand. At approximately 2:45pm she sat down to get her hair done (which looked AMAZING) and I stole a few of the bridesmaids to help me get linens on tables and start putting the reception together. Things came together quickly and before I knew it, Shalina was paging me to come do her makeup. It was SO FUN getting to spend those minutes with her – getting to make her feel as beautiful as she is – getting to see the whole package come together.She looked absolutely stunning and radiant and absolutely gorgeous. With her makeup done, I went back downstairs to put centerpieces on the tables, set out placecards, make sure candles were distributed, set up the unity candle table, put out the guestbook and card basket, set up the candy bar, etc. but I continually escaped upstairs to sneak peaks at Shalina.I was there when she put on her dress – I shed a tear or two – she was the most beautiful I had ever seen her – but she still looked like herself – natural – and glowing. I loved that. She wasn’t over the top – she was just perfect. (PS I have made a decision that I will most DEFINITELY be wearing false eyelashes on my wedding day – it takes you from a 10 to a 12 for sure!) About 20 minutes before she was to walk down the aisle, I had everything ready for the reception – so I asked Steven to hold down the fort, and I went back upstairs to have a moment with SJ. I walked into the bridal suite and asked her if we could spend a few minutes in prayer. She invited the others to join us, and we held hands as we thanked God for the friendship He had given us in her – prayed for the wedding itself – and asked Him to richly bless the lifetime that she and Craig would spend together. It wasn’t the deepest or most profound prayer – but it was honest, and genuine, and extremely heartfelt. Shalina and I have prayed together many times throughout the engagement, so it seemed only appropriate that we would come together before the Lord one last time before she became Craig’s wife. At the close of the prayer, Shalina let a few tears go – so of course mine followed suite – we hugged and she whispered in my ear, “I’m just so lucky to have you.” I think it is a moment I will remember forever…A moment in which the Lord reminded me once again what an amazing blessing our friendship is and how much better friendships are when they are built on the foundation of Christ’s love. I hugged her one more time and then started gathering up the family so we could get the wedding underway. The music started and the family walked in, there was a minor snafu with the unity candle and the groomsmen, but eventually everyone was where he/she needed to be and the bridesmaids started walking in. What seemed like only seconds later I was holding Shalina’s train with tears streaming down my cheeks as she walked down the aisle on her Dad’s arm.It was yet another perfect moment. The ceremony itself was beautiful – Christ centered – and authentic - and moments later with vows made, rings exchanged, and the unity candle lit, Craig and Shalina kissed for the first time as husband and wife and were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nathan Craig Truglio. Every ounce of effort I expelled for this wedding was worth it in those moments – I would not have traded any of it. It was truly my joy and my honor to be there sharing in their celebration. Cocktail hour passed quickly and before I could even catch my breath, I was lining up the bridal party for the grand entrance and stealing a hug from the bride and groom. The rest of the evening just kind of flowed – Shalina and Craig sat at the sweetheart table and as we chatted she told me everything looked beautiful,she and I made eye contact and smiled really big when my favorite song by Train came on – she and Craig had their first dance,there were toasts (including champagne – yay!),the money dance,they cut the cake (it was really good),she danced with her dad, he danced with his mom, I danced with Steven,I helped her use the restroom and we talked a bit more about the day and how wonderfully everything had gone, and then before anyone was really ready, the evening was over and it was time to wave goodbye as they got in Craig’s truck. There was rousing applause as the soda cans fell off the back of the truck and bounced along the ground as Craig and Shalina left the reception as husband and wife. It really was a fabulous day. All the anxiety faded and I just enjoyed being there and sharing the moments with her. There were hitches and glitches like there always are – but it didn’t change the beauty. It was her perfect wedding. The next hour was spent cleaning up and loading cars and then saying goodbye to all the people who had played a part in their day. Exhaustion set in as I drove to Carlsbad to see the family and realized it was over – she was married. As I drove prayers continually rolled off my tongue and I shared sweet moments with the Lord as I lifted up their life together. I have no doubt that He has amazing things in store for them and I pray I will get to see Him glorified and honored in their marriage in the years to come. I do not think that our friendship was for a season, but rather for a lifetime – and I am thrilled to rest in the knowledge that their marriage is just the beginning of our journey through life together. Thank you Lord for the amazing friends you have given me in Shalina and Craig and for the remarkable experiences we have already shared – may You continue to abound in our friendship and provide a solid foundation for us to grow on – and may we always honor You.Saturday was the present opening party and it was WONDERFUL to see Craig and Shalina one more time before they left for Hawaii on their honeymoon. We said goodbye on Saturday night and I told Shalina that I loved her, then repealed that statement and said, “I love you BOTH” and Craig said, “I love you too Shell” – it was the perfect way to end a wonderful wedding weekend. I will definitely miss living with them – and seeing them on a virtually daily basis – but I could not be happier for my sweet friends – and am so thankful to have shared in their wedding! Happy Honeymooning…and I’ll see you on Tuesday morning at LAX…BRIGHT and EARLY!!