Marriage Part One

Today is June 17th, 2012.

Yesterday Samantha and I gave our marriage vows and it's official.  We are now an old married couple.

After the ceremony, we indulged in some good old fashioned fun at the reception....except the part of shoving wedding cake into each other's face.  My tux was a rental and I was definitely not taking the chance of having my wife(kinda weird to say, but I can get used to it) mad at me for getting cake on her absolutely beautiful dress. 

My best man decided that he was not going to give a speech so I opted for my other groomsman, my dad, to give it.  After some excellent ribbing at Josh's(best man) and mine's expense, he closed out by welcoming Sam to our family and wishing us luck. 

Then came the first dance.  Clint Black's "When I say I Do."  I enjoyed it and was glad to know that Sam and I could joke with each other and our families while dancing and it didn't have to be so serious cause God knows that that is all the past couple weeks have been. 

Then another surprise, it was MY turn to give a speech and this could be my ego talking but I thought I did a damn good job...lol.  After that, my parents, who had celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary just 4 days prior, got their own dance.

Everyone kept telling me that I needed to get my new wife a wedding gift and I didn't have the money, so I did the next best thing.  I sang to her.

All my aunts were wanting to hear my brother, Keegan, sing and he sang his solo from "Bridge Over Troubled Water," with my brother Brian and myself as backup singers.

Then it was time for Sam and I to leave.  We traveled to the Inn at Crescent Lake, a fabulous bed and breakfast and just spent the night enjoying one another's company.

Now it is the morning and we will be traveling to Warrensburg today for a semi family reunion on her family's side and I am excited to meet some new members of our family.

There are so many people that I would like to take this opportunity to thank.

Josh-We've been best friends for 15 years.  We've had our ups(almost attacking a water heater with a plastic baseball bat) and we've had our downs(freshman year of college....enough said) but through it all, we stuck it out and I couldn't have asked for someone better to be my best man. 

Derek- We've been best friends for 7 years and I know that no matter what, I can count on you to make life just a little more interesting whenever I need it.

Barbie- Better late than never lol

Karen-Thank you so much for taking pictures of our wedding.  It meant a lot to Sam and I for you to be there.

Kate- You're my sister and I love you.  I'm sorry you couldn't be there with us yesterday but I understand the reasoning and I wish Garrett and very happy first Father's Day.  Thank you so much for the phone call wishing me luck.  It helped calm a little bit of the nervousness I had going on.

Sylvia and Joe- Thank you for being there to give your daughter away to me in marriage.  I agree with Joe when he said that now that Sam has said I do....she is now my problem.  lol

Brian- Thank you so much for singing in our wedding.  Your renditions of "Everything" and "I Will Be There" were absolutely wonderful.  I love you buddy.

Keegan- Thank you for being an usher and for singing at the reception.  It was wonderful to hear all 3 Shewell brothers be able to tolerate each other long enough to sing for a minute and a half.  I love you.

Mom and Dad- What can I say?  We did it.  I know at times I didn't help as much as I wanted to and for that I apologize but I am so thankful for everything you guys did to make sure Sam and I had a very special day.  I love you both and I can't express in words how thankful Sam and I are for everything you did.

Peter- You did an awesome job as ring bearer for the wedding.

Alayna- You were a wonderful and beautiful flower girl.

Leigh- Thanks for being there as maid of honor.  It has been a fun few days and I hate to see ya go.

Katrina- I didn't know you when we first met on Friday but in the past couple of days I have found you to be a wonderful friend.

All our friends and family- It was wonderful seeing everyone at the wedding.  Thank you so much for being there.

Wayne- Thank you so much for presiding over the ceremony.  I couldn't have picked a better person to marry Sam and I.  You were absolutely wonderful.

Slightly Off Broadway Players- Thank you so much for allowing us to rent out the theatre for our wedding. 

That being said.....this is the beginning of the rest of our lives and I can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead.  For everyone that is traveling please be safe.