3 Years Ago Today

This happened three years ago today...

You would think that three years would be enough time to really process any event in your life. However, I still today get overwhelmed at the thought of my wedding day. It still feels hectic and nerve-wracking and crazy. It still seems overwhelming and stressful and hot. It. Was. So. Hot. Nonetheless, June 19, 2010 is a good day in my mind and that is all you can really ask for. 

I thought in honor of this three year anniversary I would provide you with a few fun pictures that probably capture the essence of that day better than the one above. 

Exhibit A & B

I cannot tell you how many times I have people ask me why I'm not smiling or check to see if I'm "okay" because I apparently look as if something is wrong. Look at these two people who created me. Neither appear too terribly happy on this supposedly joyous occasion. This is who we are, folks. Smiling is not our default expression. I need you all to accept this and move on.

Exhibit C

I have a brother. His name is Jared, and he is pretty cool. However, I think Jared is a good example of the not-so-smooth demeanor that most Schrodt's experience after taking upwards of fifty pictures in one day in the heat. The above picture is a good example of the limits lots of folks stretched in order to capture my wedding day. Certainly I appreciate it. I know it was painful at times.

Exhibit D

One of the really frustrating parts about getting married for me was how often I felt awkward. I think I am probably somewhat awkward by nature, but I also feel like deciding to take a million pictures lends itself to analysis of those images. The picture above was taken after the ceremony. I remember the first time I saw this picture weeks after getting married. I don't know why, but this picture struck me as hilarious. I think I look huge, not as in overweight. I  just feel like the dress and the fact that I have my arm around Cody makes me look big, much bigger than the man that I just married. I also feel like Cody's posture sort of makes him look like he's handicapped. The whole picture is a mess. A funny mess. 

And finally, Exhibit E

That's my husband rolling around on the dance floor. An empty dance floor by the way. People did eventually let loose after Cody managed to break (shatter) the ice. There were a few tense minutes though in which we were all left relying on Cody and three-year-olds to set the tone. I wouldn't call that ideal.

Again, this day three years ago was a whirlwind to say the least. Nonetheless, as with anything in life the stressful parts of our wedding day now serve as a source for some good laughs. 

Three years later there is one thing that resonates with me still. I spent the entire day leading up to the actual ceremony with an enormous amount of anxiety. The whole dress, veil, flowers, thing certainly was not something with which I felt natural or comfortable. I remember standing in the back of the church waiting to walk down the aisle. My bridesmaids were already on their way. It was just my dad and me waiting for what seemed like an eternity. I was scared to death. Finally, the doors opened and I was kind of taken aback by how many people were in the church staring at me. There was a split second that I considered bailing. I figured I could drag my dad backwards and just forget this whole wedding thing. The only other feasible option in my head at that time was to start crying. I was so, so close to losing it right there in the back of that church. I almost found myself in a completely un-Katy-like sobbing mess. Eventually, once I digested the number of people staring at me, I finally found Cody at the other end of the aisle. Standing. Waiting. Smiling. I felt an enormous wave of calm and confidence that dissolved my whim to run or cry. I didn't need to run or cry; I knew that if Cody was at the other end, I could make it there one way or another.

Years later I still look to Cody for comfort in those moments when running or crying seems like the best option, and I think that makes for a successful partnership in this world...

A partnership in which we ride off into the sunset in a red convertible with confetti in our hair and impeccable back muscles because of all the hours I spent working out leading up to that dang wedding.