MawwiagE!

About two weeks ago, I spent my last day of summer vaca. in the company of my best friends! The Mexican Horse Race Gang gathered together in their finest dress to celebrate the wedding of Emma "Tanto" Koller to Thomas Manolis! Truly, there was no place I would have rather been to have my last hurrah of the summer!

The celebration actually began on Tuesday night when Poncho and I attended Tanto's pre-wedding dinner. We raced around like chickens with our heads cut off to get there on time earlier that day and later relaxed for an evening filled with lots of jokes, laughs, and even tears shed for the girl who we love dearly. It's a funny story- the thought didn't cross my mind that a microphone would be a part of the evening and that I, a fellow member of the MHRG, would have to say a spiel about Tanto there... in front of a lot of people. After hearing many people at my table take the speech plunge, my heart about stopped when the mic was being passed in my direction. Before it even came near me, Poncho told me in a rather serious voice, "You keep that mic away from me!" Haha! I was about to pass it on to someone else when I heard Tanto's voice say, "Santo?!" It was at that point that I knew there was no backing out; there was no dodging that bullet! So I stood up and humiliated myself, lol! Okay... maybe it wasn't that bad, but I really felt like I didn't say everything I would have liked to. I have grown up with Tanto and honestly, a 3-minute speech just didn't seem to cut it. As I cried in front of people at the thought of one of my best friends being sealed to the man she loves, I became embarrassed, but almost instantaneously became comforted when I realized that I didn't know the majority of the people!

Tuesday night, we stayed at Reggie's place and had an awesome time doing shots with Tanto! It was the night before her wedding after all! Before your mind starts to wander to realms of me being a wicked girl, know that the shots we did were of the craziest soda flavors we could find- the grosser sounding, the better. We bought colored cups that remind me of sacrament cups, just bigger, and lined them up as we raced to gulp down the soda goodness! We talked to Tanto and listened to her relay feelings of nervousness and giddiness at the day that was ahead of her. It was a wonderful night spent in the company of awesome people.

Wednesday, Poncho and I got up really early (I think at 6:40 a.m.) and we curled our hair, did our makeup, and braced ourselves for the magical goodness that was Tanto's wedding day! I put on Katy Perry fake lashes as part of my look and wanted to laugh out loud at myself because they just felt so weird to have on. They didn't literally feel weird, but I never wear them so I felt a little out of my element. It's fun to glam yourself every now and again. I helped Reggie to put some on her too and they looked bee-aut-i-ful on her! When we got to the temple, the race began with Reggie and I- the race between us and the clock, that is. We had to hurry to get to the flower shop and get the very flowers that the maid of honor, bridesmaids, and groomsmen would be wearing when Tanto and Tom came out of the temple. I swear we literally got them with two minutes to spare and we quickly realized that the people at the shop forgot to make all of the order. Hence, the bridesmaids did not wear the flowers. No biggie. When Tanto came out, I could not have felt more happy for her. To see a best friend actually live her dream and see it become a reality right before your eyes brings a feeling of sheer bliss to you. I remember dancing with this girl at dances and knowing who she was crushing on back in the good old days of youth. I remember talking with her about marriage and her future and now, she is living it. After Tanto came out of the temple, it was picture time! Tanto looked gorgeous and her dress was breathtaking. We smiled and posed... and posed and smiled. It was a beautiful day outside and was very hot, I might add. While Thomas and Tanto set off on their own picture taking adventure, Poncho and I stayed behind with Cherry Cola and took our shoes off to walk around in the fountain in front of the temple. We thought we were being rebellious and breaking the temple law or something, but we found out later that such behavior is allowed. ;-)

For lunch that day, we ate In and Out and gorged on its yummy goodness! Then we picked up the flowers that were needed for the reception at the Eldridge Manor. Poncho and I were hoping to catch a few ZZZs in time for the dance party that was ahead of us that evening, but mostly we just had time to get to Reggie's and pack our stuff up. The adventures didn't stop there- a certain someone left the flowers on top of the car and forgot to tell us before I drove the twenty minutes to the Eldridge. By some miracle, Tanto's family was able to find them just as they were (not smashed at all). When we got to the reception, we chatted it up with Eric and braced ourselves for the dance partaaay! When it began, it was epic to say the least! The moments I remember best from it were when we: made a soul train while "This Is How We Do It" played; did the "Cupid Shuffle;" and did the "Cha Cha Slide." Tanto reminded me of what kinds of jams I want to play/dance to at my wedding reception in the future. It was SO much fun and the Koller clan knew how to bust a move, which made it all the better!!!!

The night ended with a PA reunion (Ben Proulx and Jess Raleigh showed up to the blessed event) and a sparkler lineup took place as Tanto and Thomas danced their way through the crowd to their car to leave as husband and wife. I was exhausted by this time and seriously felt like I could have slept the whole day after, but thanks to my job, had to get up at 6ish in the morning in order to go to a meeting with the district that day. Spending the day with the MHRG and seeing Tanto get hitched was like the Loreal ad in altered form: it was worth every second of it! I could not have asked for a better way to bring this blessed summer to a close!

(Photo courtesy of Hannah Belle photography)

To my dear friend, Tanto- I wish you all the happiness in the world. As you embark on this new journey of life, may you always look to the little things and find joy in them with the man you love. I will love ya forever and look forward to seeing you start a family in the future. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day. Truly, there is no one in the world I would have rather almost gotten arrested with years ago! MHRG FOR LIFE!!!!

Vive enchilada! Viva arted!!!!