Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins

I woke up and immediately texted Megan saying it was her wedding day!! All the girls met at the hotel at 10 to get our hair done. Naturally I was the first one there even though I was the only one not staying at that hotel. I got my usual “wedding hairdo” of half up and curled. I felt awkward accepting compliments for it all night because I didn’t do it, so thanks? Megan got a very lovely spread for us to eat while we were all hanging out in the room. And naturally we put the WVU game on at 12. I was sent up to Chad’s room where he gave me a note to pass to Megan and his wedding band (for me to hold on to all day until Dave said “we will now do the rings”). Seriously? You made me hold on to that thing for 6 hours? Jacob at least had the box thing to keep Megan’s in but I was terrified I was going to lose Chad’s wedding band! So I pretty much wore it all day. I’m really sorry if this means bad luck, but I figured it was better luck then losing it. I did take it off briefly to try and get it in as few pictures as possible – but quickly checked my pockets after the picture was taken. Then later Megan gave me a note to pass back to him so I ran upstairs yet again. All of us got our hair done beautifully and it was now time to go over to the Bohemian where the wedding was actually taking place.

I drove Megan over and the rest of the bridesmaids met us in her suite shortly. The honeymoon suite was basically on the other side of the wall for the reception – which was right next to the outside patio where the ceremony was. We all got our dresses on, did our make-up, took pictures, played with the kids, more getting beautiful and hanging out until it was time.

IT WAS FINALLY TIME! And I was still holding the ring! Perfect! We did our bridesmaid thing and walked down the aisle. All the little kids did an awesome job. Megan’s 4 sisters all walked down the aisle holding their flowers AND kids. It was impressive. Next was Megan’s turn. She was beautiful. Megan, really, you looked stunning. (and super skinny!) Our friend Dave did the ceremony. If you told me when we went to Pawley’s Island and I met Chad and Dave for the first time that I would be maid of honor at Megan’s wedding to Chad and Dave would be officiating, I would have called you delusional. I remember in weather analysis class fall of 2005. Chad and Jacob sat with the “cool kids” and would talk about weather like that’s all they cared about and made nerdy weather jokes. I would look at them thinking “You guys think you’re so cool like you run the ATMS department”. That was also the semester I met Megan just downstairs in the Java lab. Little did I know I would have a front row seat (stand?) to the wedding 6 years later.

Being maid of honor was fun. I gave my flowers to someone else and held Megan’s. Then I fluffed her dress when she turned. We were outside and the weather was BEAUTIFUL but there was a big gust at wind at one point which pushed her dress some. Of course I stressed for about 5 minutes whether or not I should fix it. I decided if there was another gust I’d fix it but leave it until then. This may be creepy, but I was watching Chad the whole time, since I couldn’t see Megan. I love seeing the faces on people when they get married. They are so happy and nervous at the same time. Chad’s facial expression was definitely that of “I can’t believe I’m so lucky to be marrying this wonderful woman standing next to me.”

I had to remind Megan to take her flowers once she walked back down the aisle. Then I got to walk with Rev. David Ramsaur. And that is how Megan and Chad got married. Now….let’s party!

Oops before we get to partying we need the speeches! I got a text from Megan a few weeks before the wedding saying “Jacob is giving a speech at the wedding. Will you give one for me?” My reply was, “Yes of course I’ve already been working on one.” I may sound less crazy if I said I started writing their speech when they got engaged, but that’d be a lie. The truth is I started thinking about a speech for these two long before they were engaged. Even with all that time, I was still extremely nervous. It was immediately after the ceremony – and I had to go before Jacob. My heart was pounding and it felt just like I was back in school about to give my map discussion or math senior seminar – especially since both those professors were in the audience. I absolutely hate public speaking. It’s terrifying. I’m pretty sure I was shaking but everyone said I looked completely fine and did a great job. It actually went well. I remembered to say everything I wanted to, and I didn’t rush through it. People laughed when I wanted them to, and I left moments to pause during sweet stories for reflection. To Megan and Chad: I truly and deeply meant every word I said.

Photo Credit: Joe Covert

Okay, now let’s party! The food was delicious – an open bar is always a plus too. I strangely hung out with Jacob a lot that night. Not that there is anything wrong with that – I guess since both our S.O.’s weren’t there and we were both 2^nd in command to the bride and groom. If you’re reading this Jacob Carley – you are much cooler than I ever gave you credit for in college and maybe we will get to hang out again one day!

This blog is getting a little long, so I will try to cut it short. The rest was full of normal reception fun. Cutting of the cake, talking to Bahls and Dr. Miller. Is it weird that even after I graduated I feel the need to call him Dr. Miller instead of Doug? Dancing, bouquet and garter action, Megan breaking her toe during Miley Cyrus. She was a trooper about it thought. Megan: “Miley Cyrus Party in the U.S.A. came on and things got a little crazy. Someone jumped on my foot.”

 Bahls

 Dr. Miller with all the ATMS students

Oh wait! Also I got to sign the marriage license as a witness! So official. That was pretty exciting.

Photo Credit: Joe Covert

High: Watching my friend marry my best friend to another friend – all while standing inches away!

Low: I helped Megan put on her shoes – and I volunteered to do it. This is HUGE considering how much we all know I hate feet! That is how much I love you Megan Stone. I mean Hutchins.

On deck: Not much going on (or at least planned) until Kelly’s wedding in May at VA Beach. Geez – why so many weddings?? I must be getting old.

I leave you with some more photos:

Photo Credit: Joe Covert

Photo Credit: Joe Covert

Asheville, NC

Thursday:
Last weekend I took a trip down memory lane visiting Asheville for a long weekend. I flew in Thursday for my bff's wedding. Once I got my rental car, I drove straight to meet her and fiance (also known as Megan and Chad) to watch some March Madness. Megan is a hug WVU fan and after that game UNCA was playing Pitt. What? UNCA? Yes that's right. We made it into March Madness! We ended up losing, but we put up a pretty good fight. First half anyways. From there, we went to El Chaps. If you know Megan and me, you know that this was one of our favorite things to do in college. Hard Dr. Miller test? Senior comps? Why not go to El Chaps afterwards and eat some queso with a pitcher of margaritas! Next, Bier Garden. It wouldn't be a trip to AVL without hitting up the Bier Garden.

This is where we started to celebrate Megan's Bachelorette party, so some details will be left out. But while finishing up here and deciding where to go next, someone mentioned the Arcade Bar which apparently had two NES systems at the bar to play. Megan and I knew we HAD to go there IMMEDIATELY. We talked over and as soon as we stepped into the bar we knew it was awesome. All we could say over and over again was, "WHY WASN'T THIS HERE WHEN WE WENT TO SCHOOL???" So naturally, we played! Megan started pulling all her Mario keychains out and I was yelling I NAMED MY DOG GOOMBA! I guess we needed everyone to know how much we deserved to play.

This is where I felt old for the first time (besides being able to rent a car). I saw a kid with a Boston hat next to us so I thought I'd make conversation. which is weird because we all know how socially awkward I am. This was our conversation:
Me: Hey! I'm from the Boston area!
Kid: Yeah? Do you go to school here?
Me: No. I graduated.
Kid: When?
Me: Three years ago.
Kid (with a sour look on his face and tone in his voice): What are you doing here?
Me: My best friend is getting married this weekend!!!

Then him and his friend left and Megan and I took their seats. THREE years ago. I graduated THREE years ago and this kid was giving me a hard time for being in town waiting to play nintendo at a bar. Whatever. Moving on...

I finally went to bed at 2 and got a text at 5 am....

Friday:
"My car broke down on route 4. I'm waiting for a tow truck. I tried." I was devastated! Adam was supposed to come to AVL and go to the wedding with me. I was so excited to show him where I spent 4 years of my life, meet my friends, and go to my bff's wedding. I tried really hard to be understanding because we knew he was having car problems earlier in the week and the airport is over an hour away so it's not like he can just call a taxi. Adam, I know it wasn't your fault and it's over now - but you are 0 for 2...you're going to have to meet one of my friends eventually!!

Since I no longer had to go to the airport to pick him up, I spent the morning walking around downtown. It was AMAZING! The weather was GORGEOUS! We couldn't have asked for better weather. I wondered the streets of downtown in my tshirt (which I had to dig out before packing) and my sunglasses. Downtown has really stepped it up. Chocolate Fetish has doubled in size! I got some chocolates to bring back since Adam couldn't be there. I also picked up some treats for Goomba since I felt guilty for leaving him.

Later all the girls were meeting to get our nails done. This was my first time meeting Megan's sisters. It was slightly overwhelming. Luckily, they were all awesome and welcomed me into the group like I was one of them. They were so sweet. Afterwards, on to rehearsal! This was kind of weird because there was another wedding at 7 so we didn't really have a lot of time. Why would the hotel do that? We walked in and out and talked a little about who does what when. It was quickly over and we were on our way to dinner. Dinner was fun. I saw with the other ATMSers and we all talked about what we've been up to these days. My plate came out, we laughed at how small it was, then Terry's food came out and we laughed even harder.

Mine was supposedly 4 oz and Terry's was supposedly 8 oz. the surprising part is he finished his BEFORE me. But this is a Monroe, maybe it isn't so surprising? We well went to our hotels after dinner since we were tired and had to wake up early for the festivities!

Saturday:
THE WEDDING! Separate blog to come later. 


Sunday:
Before I trip I bought tickets to see the Biltmore. Adam is a photographer so I thought he'd enjoy this, and I get a discount if I buy them ahead of time. Without Adam, I didn't really care to go by myself, but I already had the ticket and a lot of time to kill (my flight wasn't until 6:30 PM) so I went anyways (but you can tell from the photo I'm not sure if I want to be there).

I don't know why I wanted to see the gardens so badly, obviously in March there was really nothing there. Although I did find a greenhouse type thing with a bunch of flowers and there was one room I walked in and there was just a TON of orchards. It was beautiful. (For anyone reading this, orchards are not my favorite flower but they are a very close second.)

As I was leaving I got a text from the newlyweds saying they were bored. hahaha. So I headed over to UNCA to meet up with them. My oh my how the met lab has changed! It looks so much bigger! Almost like there's no way it could be the same room. We got some lunch, then I said by to them for the second time as they headed to the airport. Then I just drove around AVL some more until it was time for me too to go to the airport. I got there and guess who I saw! None other than The Hutchins'. There was no room on their flight, so I said goodbye yet again and sat in the airport waiting for my turn. If you read my facebook at all, you know that my flight was delayed. Delayed enough to make me miss my connecting flight. With only one flight from ATL to Manchester a day, they wouldn't be able to get me home until Monday late in the day. Well this sucks. I have to pay an extra day to board Goomba, another day of parking, and miss another day of work. I was not a happy camper. But wait, what's this. The plane taking me from Atlanta to Manchester is flying into Atlanta from SC, and seems to be delayed?? Maybe there is hope!! After several hours, I landed in ATL at 8:30 (when my original flight was supposed to leave) and my connecting flight was delayed until 9:30. OMG! I'M GOING TO MAKE IT HOME TONIGHT AFTER ALL!! This is GREAT news!

The girl I sat next to on the plane got to her seat and said, "Oh good you're reading too so I won't feel bad for turning my light on." Then I continued to read the entire flight (luckily I had such a good book to keep me entertained and distract me from what a long day it was) while she read 5 minutes then quit, got out her computer, and was on twitter the whole rest of the flight. Weird. After all of this, I landed in Manchester around 12:30 and drove home. I finally made it home around 2:30 am, went to sleep, and woke up for work the next day. It was a long journey home, but overall, it was a fantastic trip and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

High:
I got my Starbucks, Chick-fil-a, and Yuengling fix.

Low:
My wedding date didn't make it.

On Deck:
I'm not sure. either my sister visiting me or Kelly's Wedding in VA Beach at the end of May.