As soon as Nathan and I decided to get married, we started looking at venues. I only had a short time in Utah over Christmas, the next time I would be here, I would be getting married. We set our date, called the temple and chose our venue. We went from planning everything with each other, to a 7 hour time difference on facetime. Every second of the day all I had was wedding on my mind. Every lunch break I would visualise something and take a note of it. I knew there was a heartbreaking possibility nobody from home would make it out, so I was going to bring Scotland to Utah. There was so much blood sweat and tears over the whole process of the visa, all I wanted to move to America, who knew it would be sooooo expensive and so stressful? I came over on the K1-Fiance visa which means when I got here, I had 90 days to get married then I could apply for my green card. There was a ton of paperwork and a few trips to London US Embassy. But it finally came, a week and a day before my wedding date. We definitely had angels working for us.
3 days to go... Hey there jet lag
As soon as I stepped off the plane I went straight to the bridal store to get my dress fitted. They completely changed the look of the dress, it was super tight and high around my neck and far too long. Veronica Michaels bridal store worked magic. They literally took scissors to almost every part and stitched it all back so beautifully. They even kept it open past closing time just for me! Jet lag hit me like never before, I was wide awake at 5 AM every morning and ready for bed at 2 PM.
The day I always dreamt of
"How did we make it?" is all I kept thinking. We worked so hard to get where we were and we finally made it. We had so much help from friends and family, but so much help from beyond the veil. There were people making this happen for us and it was perfect. The first time I seen Payson Temple, I knew I would get married there. So when Nathan seen me for the first time outside the temple on our big day, it was priceless. He is the best decision I've ever made. Everyone started to arrive for the sealing and wait for it... Elder Banks. Yup. One of my best friends from back home who is serving his mission here arrived. He was a witness next to Nathan's Dad. It was so special. He had been there throughout my whole conversion and taught my family.
So when LDS people are married, we are married and sealed in the temple. It is the most beautiful ceremony ever with the most amazing promises. We believe that couples are together for time and all eternity rather than till death do us part. I can feel this armour, this safety net that's around us all the time. The temple does amazing things and links families together for eternity. The three sister missionaries that taught me and my sister-in-law were my bridesmaids. Those three sisters helped get me to where I was today. They brought the gospel into my life and they were part of the reason I was able to be sealed for time and all eternity. As I looked around the temple I just saw angels, these were the people that helped us get there. All that was missing was my family.
Bring Scotland to Utah... Check
We had our reception at Wadley Farms and it was the best decision ever. The place is so beautiful. There was so much green everywhere that you forgot you were in utah. We served little desserts, mango sorbet and pineapple dole whip to cool everyone down from the scorching sun. We had an amazing bagpiper playing (and he was wearing his kilt correctly which is rare for Americans). It was so neat to see all my visions coming to life. My colours were beige, baby blue and light grey. We decorated the tables with lanterns and votive candles and more greenery with flowers embedded. My mother in law worked magic, she helped my dream wedding unfold right in front of me and it's all I could've asked for and more.
Eternal blessings
Everything that I could have dreamed of has happened. God prepared me for all of these things. When I was younger I used to carry an envelope around with pennies in it that said 'savings for America'. My best friend's name is Tyler Lewis, I wanted her last name so bad, I would write Joanna Lewis on everything when we were growing up. I married Nathan Lewis and took his last name! Moving here was the hardest thing I've ever done. Leaving my family and friends left me heartbroken. Nathan has picked me up so many times. He is the first to hold me when he thinks I'm upset. He jumps right up whenever I have a nightmare. He is the most selfless man in the world, who always puts others first. He works his butt off to provide for us and the future and he is one smart cookie. He is the biggest blessing in my life. My eternal blessing.
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